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julezee001

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Everything posted by julezee001

  1. I think the unladen weight varies a bit depending on whether it's an early gun tractor, or later cargo. I think they are all around 11.5 to 12.5 tons unladen, My own had a gross weight of 22500kg initially, but had the paperwork was changed as an HGV to 21500kg to help the issues with the brakes. It's unladen weight is around 12500kg which is probably on the higher end, as it has an Atlas crane fitted. It currently runs around at about 16500kg with the box body on the back with camping gear, tools, and odds and ends on board, as a motorhome. Jules
  2. The main thing to watch out for is that the truck was built pre 1960. There were at least 2 batches built in 1964, from which I own one. This not only creates the issue of needing an M.O.T. test of one type or another, but also means the driver needs an HGV licence too. Whilst most people considering buying a beautiful piece of British engineering such as the Militant will be more than aware of the issues, I'm sure others jump in blinded by the opportunity of owning and driving such a large chunk of mobile Heritage! I have posted the fun I've had getting through tests in detail elsewhere on the Forum, with most of the issues being with the brakes which were never designed to be tested on a rolling brake tester. Fortunately I seem to have persuaded the local testers to use a Tapley meter on the old girl these days! Good luck, I hope you find and enjoy a great truck! Jules
  3. If you read the notes, they are refering to taking it to be inspected by the DVLA at an LVLO, or approved site, not driving to an M.O.T. Almost daily I drive cars to, and occasionally from, a garage with no M.O.T. test which is totally legal. As far as I know for transfer of number plates both vehicles require a current M.O.T., so I can't think of a reason to take a vehicle to the DVLA without a valid certificate. When my brother first registered our Militant, he had to test it first, then drive it un-registered into the LVLO close to the centre of Brighton. No problems apart from blowing a coolant pipe on the way back! Jules
  4. I agree to some extent that Civi vehicles don't look good, but it's not too difficult to cam them up or tuck them away on a display. partly it depends on peoples budgets? Not everyone can afford a living van, or genuine Military tent, etc. I would say if you just want green/camo then join the Army, but even that doesn't hold true. Trust me I know! As to roping off areas... Usually groups who have attended the show many times rope off areas early to fit all their vehicles and tents on. It is after all often more about the social aspect for many, than the "look at my vehicle" side. Not only does this often have a practical side, share a large tent, generator, cooker etc, but also a safety side too if heavy armour is moving onto and off a pitch. There are obviously several larger clubs who enjoy being grouped together and partying late into the night, would they come back if they were splintered into small groups around the site? Obviously there are some who do rope off ridiculous areas, and maybe there are some who just change plans and don't turn up, but at W & P it's never spoilt the show, and I've never gone home 'cos I couldn't park my trucks?? Jules
  5. Hmm... Just worked out the route on a route planner. An extra 3 miles each way if we use the lanes, so not the end of the world for us. An unexpected change, but I look forward to it. I'm sure there will be some upsides to it as well as some downsides. At the end of the day the people who really make the show are those who bring their vehicles, or take part in so many other of the great displays put on. Most of the rest of it, bars, food, stalls, toilets (don't start on them!), the public, etc, you get at any show. Jules
  6. I love the way the people who are responsible for defining the Legislation are so vague about its implementation when questioned. I think I'd argue that a small car or motorbike would be a sensible option to carry or tow with a large motorhome as they are far easier to manouver and environmentally friendly, than taking the motorhome (in my case Militant Mk1) to do the days shopping at Asda! Personally I try to take the Scammell Explorer as it's got the air assisted steering! The tester at the local VOSA station did want to look in the back of my Militant to check that it had a sink, bed, fridge and cooker fitted when I said it was a motorhome. The camping kit , 2 army 18' x 24' tents, did phase him a bit, but I assured him they were essential equipment, and he agreed. The last tester didn't even ask to look in the back, or question testing the Militant as a heavy class 4 (motorhome) other than saying it was ridiculous! Jules
  7. Just a few photos of Saladins kindly provided by ex REME Recovery Mechanic Ron Stephenson. All are in Aden in around 1964.
  8. Just a few photos of Bedford RL's kindly given to me by ex REME Recovery Mechanic Ron Stephenson. All are from around 1964, and feature vehicles in Aden. Enjoy!!
  9. Here a few photo's I was very kindly given by ex REME Recovery Mechanic Ron Stephenson. They are all from around 1964, and are from Aden. Enjoy!!
  10. Here's a selection of photo's very kindly given to me by ex-REME Recovery Mechanic Ron Stephenson. They are all from around 1964 in Aden, and I think show the Explorer's how they really were used in service, i.e; doors off, front wings removed, and even extra weights mounted on the front. Enjoy!!!
  11. I was very kindly given a great selection of photos to post by a retired REME Recovery Mechanic. All the photos are from Aden in around 1964, amongst them are these photos of a Berliet wrecker in British Army service. I've no idea how many were used?
  12. The "Blow it all over when it's finished" intention is great. That's what I hoped to do with mine, but I'll have to patch up the cab roof, replace the rear floor, finish the bins, repair the downpipe (again!), fix the radiator, and........ It won't matter if you don't go right over it. The grin factor driving down the road, both for you, and anyone who you're sharing the local area with, will be totally unaffected by slightly different shades of DBG! Jules
  13. Looking great, and oh so SHINY! What I find scary is that the painting you have just done looks brighter DBG than your older paintwork. What is it about DBG that makes it do that? Your truck is even under cover. At least she's gloss so you can T-cut the colour if you need to.
  14. I shall be there Friday evening with the Militant and Scammell, tea, coffee, beer, wine, and maybe some food! Hoping for good weather, good company and a relaxing show. Anyone else going? Jules
  15. I had the usual fun, and enjoyed the War and Peace show. The mud's great as it proves you can drift a Scammell. The Twickenham Off-Roaders did a good job this year on the heavy truck trials, with nothing bent!......... Except that when I got home I found my radiator is now leaking. Doh! It appears to be from a cooling pipe 6 or 7 in from the drivers side, in the second row back, at the bottom of course. My main question, is how are the pipes fitted/sealed? I think they are copper, while the bottom plate is aluminium, an odd combination? I'm thinking of using chemical metal for now, as I'm not keen to strip it down at the moment, but I'm open to any better suggestions! Jules
  16. I'm not sure it's quite that simple! Pre 1973 are Exempt, so my 1954 Scammell and 1964 Militant can go in and out as often as I can afford! As I understand it (although I'm more than willing to be corrected by anyone with greater direct experience!): If it's your first incursion and your vehicle is not exempt, you should get a letter informing you that you can come in and out for the following 30 days without penalty, then it needs to gain exemption, pay the daily charge, or not return! If it's a station wagon up to 9 seats you are ok as it counts as an estate, if more it might be considered to be a minibus, and be subject to the LEZ. If it's diesel and a pick up it's commercial in their eyes and that's that. However if it is a hard top diesel, with windows in the side, built between 1973, and 1998, with a seat or two fitted in the back, it counts as an estate, and can be registered with the LEZ. The process is slightly hidden on their website, but essentially involves writing a covering letter, along with 6 photos, including one of the rear inside through an open rear door?? I have to say a friends first attempt with his 3 door full length hard top, with windows was rejected on the basis that it was a crew cab!! He has pursued his case, and gained the exemption since. Jules
  17. I expained the dramas I've had with VOSA to the tester, and he thought about trying a roller test, but I managed to talk him out of it. So it was a Tapley test again, this time in a yard which made the Hastings test station seem huge! I didn't have the time to look at how fast I was going when ordered to jam on the anchors, but I'd be surprised if it was more than 10 mph, both for the footbrake, and the handbrake! He passed it anyway, and then went to change his underwear! Jules
  18. Glad to see someone else enjoying the agony and the ecstasy of owning and driving a Mk1 Militant. (Agony pictured!) I had a run out to Eastbourne in mine today for an M.O.T. test at a local Mercedes dealership as VOSA were too busy in Hastings. All went well until a fault was found in the o/s rear axle tyre. So a quick (1 hour) wheel swap, and it was through for another year! Jules
  19. Looking great. There's nothing more satisfying than actually bolting parts back on when they're all done. Well apart from driving down the road, but you just drive everyone else's anyway! Just a bit more to go then? I'll have to pull my finger out and get on with my project to catch up! Reality is that life's a bit busy in every respect, so she'll sit outside for a bit longer awaiting lots of TLC! Jules
  20. Mmm! Dorking Models a mecca for me in my childhood, for the model railway bits and pieces, but especially the 1/76 scale kits of the King Tigers, and other German WW2 kit. I used to spend ages choosing. I don't attach blame for the toys getting Bigger and BIGGER over the years! Welcome Tony, Jules
  21. Just wondered if anyone else from the forum was planning to take part or watch this event? I don't have the full details, but believe it starts in Sevenoaks at around 9am and ends with a show of the vehicles taking part, around lunchtime, at the Stade on Hastings seafront. I hope to get to the show with at least with one of my trucks. Jules
  22. I'd love to take my Mk 1 Militant to this show being the Centenary, but at 184 miles each way, that makes it almost £400 in fuel alone. Ouch! Hopefully I'll win the lottery this weekend to make it a really easy choice. Jules
  23. I'm not sure if mine has a later modification, but it has a good metal shield around the connectors behind the seat, making it hard enough to deliberately unplug them, let alone "accidentally" knock one out!! Jules
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