Hair Bear

Obviously, condition is a point of view but I would say this one is very near mint in all over green, one crew member in the back, don't know abour driver or the spare wheels though - £135.

Slightly off topic but I was in our local antique shop today (don't ask!) and amongst a varied collection of military diecast there is a Dinky Martian complete tilt, crewman, and it's gun. Never seen one before.

Having watched the video again, yes I can see now that your beastie is much bigger than a 1500. Thanks Nick, I was aware of Slab being MOD and the accompanying restrictions, as part of a quad club we're always on the lookout for somewhere new, but we always seem to come up short when asking who to contact about aranging access. I've even tried going to an event as a spectator to see if I could find out what was involved in staging an event there and as soon as you start asking who, or what department to make first enquiry to I was either ignored or told to move on. Still, we live in hope...!

Would I be right in thinking that the Belarus is an early model 1502? The 1502 was sold in the UK in the late '70s wearing a white/orange livery and a different cab. I suspect very few sold. Nice machine. How does Slab common work? Is it an 'all comers' event or are there light vehicle days and heavy days, or clubs? I'm asking as I'm reasonably local and always looking for somewhere to run quads. Thanks.

Many years ago my father brought home a barn find Onan generator. Definately ex-military and looked something like a w2c. I remember it being 2cyl, hand crank or 12v electric start, 240v and thought to be about 3kv(?). Although there are pics on the web of a w2c I'm sure this one was physicly bigger, and had a heavy, purpose built tubular cage/frame around it which had a tray for the battery that fitted crossways above the control box, two jerry can carriers, and a fitted heavy canvas cover. It'd been bolted to a couple of railway sleepers if it really needed any more weight, but ran almost silently and free of any vibration. It was sold some years ago through a auction in the New Forest as a non runner and a fault in the generator somewhere which meant it didn't operate at full capacity. I've never seen another one and was wondering how rare it was.

These were available rhd in the U.K. in the late '70's/early '80's and exhibited at the Smithfield show. They were sold through 'Belarus' tractor dealerships. There was a van, minibus, and a dropside pickup truck but I seem to remember it was not Uaz, more something like Belaz. I did have all the sales brochures and road tests at one time but I've slept since then so little chance of finding them now.

Hi, I'm sure the pics and video would be most welcome. So let's throw something else into the mix. Back in the late '80's or early 90's I remember going to a vintage tractor / vehicle rally, I'm sure either in the Wokingham area, or somewhere around Petersfield, and there was an identical wrecker there. If I didn't know better I'd say it was the same one, all white, and running. And I'm sure it lived at the site and it sat in the field ticking over for most of the day but I've no idea why.

From how my uncle described it I think thats pretty close. How much??!!!

Doh! Never thought of that. Some interesting links there, Thanks.

Does anyone know anything about this? http://www.strangecosmos.com/images/content/146957.jpg I'm interested in make, motor, frame ect.. Thanks.

Don't know if anyone can shed light on this. Some years ago now (at least 10), we went out for an afternoon walk with some friends on Hazeley Heath near Hartley Wintney. At one point we came across some low level concrete forms which we were told were part of a WW2 tank proving ground. They are/were best described as on the heath, somewhere north of the shops on the A30 London road but south of the Bramshill police college. Also, there is/was (now going back 25+ years!) a lot of old concrete tracks in the woods on Buckleberry Common in Berkshire. Rumour says there were hidden buildings for ammunition storage in the area. Anyone know anything? Rob.

Slightly off topic, the Belarus Mtz52 tractor had a higher ratio in the front axle and was permanent 4 wheel drive. The trick was that it had an overrun clutch in the front drive shaft so it automaticly drove the front wheels only when the rears started to slip! Not so clever going backwards.

x2 on the Detroit idea. We ran machines in the 80's with a supercharged 6V-92 under the bonnet, 12" dia silencer, 8" dia exhaust, and a sound you never get tired of! for example.Superb reliability, we had two machines - they ran at one speed (absolutely flat out!) fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, from April to October and over the three years I worked with them I'm not aware of one missed beat. From what I remember a very compact unit length wise, but I suspect you could finish up with a cylinder head sticking out each side.

Having established what it is and had a look through the 'Martian Gallery' it would appear that I'm due an E-headbut from 6x6! Time to run for cover...

Does anyone know what the wrecker is on the M5 near Taunton? I'm no expert on these but I would say probably Leyland, with 'Holmes 750' style twin boom bodywork. Although at some point it's been painted white it has that ex-army look to it. Been there as long as I can remember. It can be seen on streetview, if you travel north on the M5 from J25 it is on the lh side as you approach the A361 overbridge. 'bout time it was saved...

That'll make a nice set. We've had vintage tractors and they always displayed better with a suitable piece of period equipment. I'm not familiar with the 450 (the newest Honda Atv in my shed is a 1986 250es), are the wheels/tyres interchangeable with the trailer ie one spare tyre fits all?

They are (or were) on Milweb, but are still available new from Logic. Being nosey, what are you going to pair it with?

Thanks for that, now it's been mentioned I do vaguely recall him saying something about Stuart-Turner. All very interesting stuff.

My late Uncle always said there was one piece of ww2 kit he always looked out for at sales but never saw one. It is/was apparently a small suitcase that contained a type of steam boiler, generator and radio transmitter for use by spies and resistance. The idea being it was taken into a wooded area, the boiler was fired using twigs and moss ect. the steam ran the generator and powered the Tx. I can only imagine a 'Mamod' style unit but it'd be interesting to know if anything like it did exist and was used?

x2 on the people and the place! We love La-Roche and the area around. It's difficult to comprehend the town was all but levelled during the war. Interesting museum there too. We found a self catering chalet site just outside town and it's ideal as a base for exploring the area. Lots for the rest of the family to do as well if they're not into military history. Somewhat off topic, last time we were there we headed east to see the Rhine. Only now do we realise how close we were to the Blockbuster UXB recently found in Koblenz!:shocked:

From what I can see of the posted pics the brushguard fits existing mounting points. Not sure what the attachment is on the steering colum - fire extinguisher maybe? The second pic showing the hitch suggests that it's fitted worryingly high, I wonder how many flipped over?

I should have some pics of our civilian 'B' if that's any help but I'm guessing it's the military version you're after?

Am I right in thinking the cab is from a Foden S108?

Sorry, didn't mean to start a debate! If you're doing a restore then if you've not been there before the 3 wheeler world website ( http://www.3wheelerworld.com/forum.php ) should have some useful info for you. I've got two of the little critters, an '85 70, and an '86 250es. The 250 is looking a bit tired and after I saw this pic I was wondering about the authenticity of it as a project for something different. I'm not going to be drawn on the safety issue, suffice to say although field and trail riding don't appear to be a problem I've found mine to be very skittish to the point of being a real handfull cornering on tarmac, maybe the 200 being a hardtail will be better in this respect? I'm told I should be able to get 55mph but I'm quite happy let that be unproven theory. As for the 70, how much fun can you have in public with your knees around your ears?! Design-wise the 'three points of contact' idea is quite sound as an engineering plan, as is the effect of each wheel using a differnt track to reduce soil compaction. But unless I'm on level ground I do find I spend a lot of time standing on it rather than sitting to keep the weight where you want it. It has to be said though, wherever you take it it'll always bring interest and be prepared for at least one 'Aren't those things illegal?'

Hi, Came across this picture a while ago on an American trike enthusiasts website (3WW) and wondered if anyone here could throw any light these ever being in service? The machine is a Honda ATC250es and would have been built from 1985-8. I've seen several that have been done in a slightly tacky retro-camo (Hmm...) but there's something about this pic which suggests to me it just could be authentic ex-military, but from where? Rob.