julezee001

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll certainly be interested, but will try to get the other bits and pieces first. Thought I'd ask here first before I pay for the dealers next house! Jules

Parts wanted for a bit of a project: Ignition barrel/steering lock mechanism Indicator/horn/dip switch N/s/f passenger step O/s/r tubular bumper Jerry can holder N/s/f engine mount (the aluminium bracket bolted to engine) Number plate light Rear roof/ roll over structure Full length tilt. Anything considered, scratched, torn or bent as these are the totally missing parts Jules

Is there a solution? I know there are additives to kill bacteria in diesel that prevent brown sludge from growing in it, but the coating on the brass fitler is totally different; more like a hard black laquer. Seems to form in weeks rather than months! Jules

Hi John, Yes, the same vehicle, bought from Max, who is local to me. The only problem it's had has been with the pick up filter in the fuel tank, which seems to clog with an organic black "glaze". I have removed it, cleaned it, replaced with new, but it still seems to happen. Someone suggested it's because of the "bio" element in modern diesel, but not sure if that's true?? Still looking good. Just a few small issues, and needs a bit of a service. Jules

Had it been built before 1 Jan 60 (as most Mk 1 Militants were), it would be M.o.T exempt, and could be driven on a car licence........unless used comercially, or towing a laden trailer, in which case both M.o.T test and HGV licence would be required, and possibly taxed as an an HGV too instead of Historic? Jules

DVLA must have changed their policy. When registering my Mk1 Militant they wouldn't accept DIS, and insisted on copies of the build sheets, which on the good side were available, but on the bad side proved it was one of the last built in 1964, which of course means it needs an M.o.T test, and an HGV licence to drive it! Jules

I'll be down there on holiday the end of next week, but funny you should mention phoning.... I thought I'd try to make an appointment, so phoned, spoke to a charming lady who within a minute had found the record cards for 00 ED 85, and within half an hour had scanned and emailed them to me. Also a hard copy in the post. What a fantastic service! I now have date in service as 11 April 1967, but not date of manufacture. Is there a GKN/Sankey record for a build date? Jules

I hope to visit the Tank Museum at the end of the month, and will try to arrange an appointment. The FOI suggestion is interesting and easy to do, so I might give that a go too! Thanks, Jules

Thanks for the replies. Plate found, so I have all the numbers. contract no., reg no., FV no, etc. Does the Army transport Museum still hold records? Does it still provide the service of researching and supplying of copies the relevant documents? Jules

Ventured slightly out of my comfort zone at the War and Peace Revival this year and ended up purchasing an FV434 on the last day. Prior to the show I had already worked on it and recovered it from a muddy hole, so I am fairly certain it's a sound vehicle. I have applied for the forms from the DVLA, V55/5, and have a friend who has registered his FV432 and offered some advice. Obviously I need to prove it's age to avoid a Q plate as seen on an FV436 (?) at W&P. Can anyone give me a clue where the build/shell number is? I can't see it in the similar place (left of rear door, tiny plate) on an FV432. Does anyone have the GKN Sankey records for the build date? IMPS or MVT for confirmation of the information found? I assume it will have been built long enough ago to be deemed an Historic, but haven't found specific info for FV434's? Any info/comments would be hugely appreciated. Jules

Great thread. All looks very familiar having bought one part done as a large jigsaw puzzle. Well worth the effort as there are few vehicles that are so practical and have such a huge "grin factor" when driving! Jules

Feeds must go to the left and right rear actuators. There aren't separate actuators for each axle. One each side pushes a tube to work one axle and pulls a rod to work the other. Not an ideal set up as if they aren't set up perfectly (ideally with a rolling brake tester) one axle will brake really well and the other will do nothing. Even worse you're also trying to have equal braking across each axle. I've never had any worry mine won't stop, even as a 16.5 ton camper, but it was always a trial each year to get through a test as an HGV. As a heavy class 4 using a Tapley meter it is easier, although trying to stop with the ratchet handbrake (secondary braking system!) in a small workshop yard tests everyones nerve! Once your leak is solved you can always check the brakes with a voluntary brake test at a testing station.

Just wondered what the steering is like with the modern flat tread tyres that you've fitted? Many years ago the Army in its wisdom stopped fitting bar grips on Bedford Mk's/MJ's in favour of the tyres fitted to Leyland Daf's, which had a flat pattern with lots more tread on the road. It not only made the steering feel as heavy as my Militant with Atlas crane behind the cab, but also ruined their cross-country capabilities too! Jules

Fuel gauges not working might as you say be down to being seized, but I would check your cab wiring from behind the drivers seat junction box to the instrument panel. My instrument gauge has been dodgy for years only reliably working with over half a tank of fuel, which I suspect is wiring. I had an awkward moment in a petrol station a few years ago when for the first time ever my Militant wouldn't start. Not turning over at all. Problem was the wires along the engine cover at the instrument end had largely turned to dust. How it had started so reliably up to that moment I find hard to understand? I hotwired the starter solenoid at the junction box to get going and replaced the wonky wires asap after, and she's been faultless (well starting) since. Jules

Excellent, I hope the shows go well. It certainly should turn a few heads. I had mine a bit over 2 years, having bought just west of Hexham. Epic journey to Hastings in a day. There's a few pictures in an album on my profile. Jules

I agree with Iain on the pressures. 70psi looks and feels right. Your truck looks great! I keep hoping to have a quiet month and sort my cab roof and the relatively short but quite involved list of other jobs e.g.: n/s/f wheel bearing, swivel bearings, speedo cable, seat belts etc. I hope you have a great summer to show off your hard work! Jules

Having posted this thread, I have tried to keep an open view on the new "owner" of the show. However having read your post, I feel bound to add my own thoughts. I met a friend today who runs a Bushcraft and knife business. He has had dealings in the past with the same character. He paid for a 9m pitch at a shooting show, hired a van to carry the extra kit over and above his normal Landrover and trailer. When he arrived at the show the pitch it was 6m. When he complained he was told like it or lump it. He tried to apply for a refund, but after more than 3 months finally was re-funded for 3m. Personally if you are going to take over a show, and call a large number of your exhibiters who bring their vehicles to the show year after year for nothing, "spongers", I have very little faith it is being run for the right reasons. The comments were made a good while ago, and as far as I am aware they have not in any way been retracted or moderated. I am also sad that IMPS, who after all should still have some say in the show have made no representations on the subject to the best of my knowledge. I am not entirely surprised by that as previously I have complained to senior members of IMPS having found a CET travelling at speed the wrong way around the one way circuit at the show with no one walking in front, scattering all and sundry. Again, as far as I am aware no action was taken. It's sad, as it's one of the few occasions in the year that I get all my kit together, and drag myself and it to the show (3 large trucks, Landrover, tentage etc), that I neither feel welcome, nor inclined to attend. I hope the situation will turn around in the future, as I will miss catching up with so many great friends and like minded folk? Jules

I noticed last night that the question was asked on 1/6/15 last year and received 60+ replies. Is Milweb less popular, and everyone elsewhere, or is it that many find the War and Peace Revival so much less attractive under new management?

Having read Dave Kings statement, with significant details of the behind the scenes dealings, it leaves me somewhat disappointed with the message from Andy Neal the IMPS Chairman. What a mess. Hopefully there's enough time for the IMPS board to work out what's best for the IMP's members before the show date? I now swing towards the new show at the Hop Farm, but would like more information from IMPS, and to hear more of what others know/think of the situation. Jules

Never thought to do it, but sounds like a great idea. Any journey longer than 5 minutes on the road and I wear ear defenders to prevent having ringing in my ears in bed that night. They're certainly not the most sociable or even driver friendly cabs. Having used the intercom on 432's whilst driver training, I'd have thought it ideal for the Militant. The batteries are in the cab, so the power feed would be very simple I'd have thought? Jules

I am not one to get involved with either the running of IMPS, or the politics, so I can only guess at the reasons for some members deciding to set up another show at the Hop Farm on the same weekend. Personally both I and my friends have found that Combined OPs has been the most relaxed and enjoyable show of the year, and the best opportunity to catch up with like minded friends. Is it perfect? No, but for a relatively small club it's a great show, and I'm sure has deservedly been good for IMPS funds over the last few years. This year I have another local show, non military but only 1 mile away, also on the same weekend, but both I and my friends will be at Headcorn as we've decided that overall it is by far the best option. Jules

Mine has a later number and must have been one of the last built in 2 batches in 1964, so needs an M.O.T test, and HGV licence to take on the road. I haven't been able to work out the 1960 date/chassis number relationship. Jules

I was short of time as usual when I took the photos the other day, but might get a chance tomorrow to have a look on my truck and see what the piping is on that pump. Glad you've got the engine in. Hopefully that's not a job I'll have to do. I wouldn't mind a chance sometime to have a go in another Mk3 to compare performance. Compared to my Mk1, my Mk3 seems to take quite a bit of winding to start, where the Mk1 goes within 1 turn of the engine. Once running seems sweet, and quite clean exhaust. Just a bit slow up the hills! Jules

Not sure if they'll help, but I took photos of the 2 pumps I have, one on a spare engine, one just a spare pump. Jules

All seems a bit draconian. Whilst I understand the need to keep as many vehicles on site for the Saturday, preventing folk from leaving must count as false imprisonment, whether you've signed an agreement or not. I thought ending the show on Saturday evening was a good way to help. If you have to go, you have to go? Two years ago at Folkstone the weather had destroyed a large amount of tentage, would you want to stay if that had happened to you? 10 x 10 pitch? Do you all have to book a pitch together as a group? Can one person reserve lots? Did the old system of marking out sensible sized area cause problems? No access after 8am? I thought the new management wanted to encourage vehicle movements, not stop them altogether? I totally dissagree with tracked armour moving without someone one on the ground, ideally in high vis, as folk are slightly more likely to take notice of DAYGLOW, compared to someone wearing camo at an MV show. Having seen a CET racing the wrong way around the one way track a couple of years ago, no guide, scattering all others from the track (jeeps, walkers, bikes, children!!), ignoring the rules, I strongly support someone walking in front in high vis. If for no other reason it keeps the speed down. Jules