Nick Johns

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Seems to have been kept quiet but DVLA have announced all 40year old Historic registered tax exempt vehicles can now display old style Black & White or Silver number plates, previously the cut off date was fixed at pre Jan.1973 vehicles only. http://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/

Im guessing a Marine/boat related instrument panel? judging by the brass? surrounds to the gauges, and the lower right "Fuel Oil" pressure gauge

The mobile crane truck is Left hand drive with demountable wheel rims, I think its a German FAUN

Are you going to source two 4.88 crown wheel & pinion sets to convert back to original? or run the lower ratio CJ diifs which gives less road speed for the equivalent RPM running a 4.88 diff

You are correct, all ww2 Jeep differentials are 39/8 teeth giving 4.88 to1 .....alas your Jeep front axle has got a post war CJ2 differential which the ratio is 5.38 to1 = 43/8 teeth, I wonder what your Jeep's rear axle ratio is ?

Tructor looks really good Tony, A DVLA search online shows WOT 3D 1941 Ford first registered in 1981 was last taxed in November 1993 https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

Oh dear, another dubious old Jeep needing work in a classic car auction with a very optomistic guide price, its now listed as 1942...ish

I wonder if this OY for sale in the South of France is possibly an OWL too? or just a conversion to civvy wheels http://www.leboncoin.fr/utilitaires/876200050.htm?ca=4_s

Check where it is first, the OY is located in French post code 30960 near Ales in the South of France which is about 550 miles from Calais

Sign boards for exhibitors are usually out on the day, on the B374 go straight ahead at the roundabout past the turning to the Brooklands museum & Mercedes Benz world, continue 1/2 mile on up the hill towards Weybridge, Campbell gate entrance is on the left

The first film is shot at Slab Common which is behind SEME Bordon, happy memories of racing there years ago with All wheel drive club, I think the second film is at Bovington

It all relates back a couple of years ago when it first hit the headlines, about a certain ex military Major who was "aquiring" Tanks and armour and other military stuff from various sources, the MOD, Museums, some from abroad, and private individuals all on the pretence of opening a Tank museum, Apparently some vehicles were then later sold, its an ongoing case. I think most of the vehicles were originally stored at Ludgershall, presumably a lot could still be live firing weapons. They are now being moved to secure premises at Weathersfield presumably to ascertain who are the legal owners

Any connection ?? http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?13807-Spotted-today&p=454365#post454365

JHSV, Joint high speed vessel. Fast transport ship http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=223

The annual well supported Military vehicle day at the famous Brooklands Museum, always a good day out, its few miles from the A3 /J10 M25 A prior booking is required for a free MV entry download an entry form from http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/index.php?/events/details/military-vehicles-day2/

Apparently its a "Stretched DUKW", a rebuilt longer wheelbase version, though modified it appears to still basically use the ww2 GMC front axle, the stretch appears to have probably put higher loadings on to the front axle, the problem had been identified 2 years ago and front axle strengthening modifications were advised but apparently the work was not carried out, looking at all the pics online I'm guessing its the swivel housing that fails

Seattle tour DUKW company Ride the Ducks is suspended from operating after a DUKW front wheel locks up on a six lane highway causing it to lose control and crash into an oncoming bus killing 5 passengers, possibly linked to a front axle problem identified two years before and operators were advised to carry out modifications http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/28/amphibious-tour-vehicle-lacked-axle-fix-before-seattle-crash/

A text only advert which includes "Wanted" is £6 for a months display http://www.milweb.net/place_ad/text.php

The former Tank factory/MVEE/FVRDE research site and test track is now Longcross Studios http://www.longcrossfilmstudios.com/

You will need to contact DVLA, First to change the tax category to Private HGV, you are right, you cannot legally use a restricted use agricultral machine for private use if the Unimog can be verified as manufactured 1979, unless it was given a Q plate for other reasons, ie. re built from parts, it may be possible to re register on an age related plate. Then contact DVSA to arrange for a goods vehicle test as its 6000kg GVW, it does not need seat belts if it can be confirmed as manufactured 1979, belts in trucks were required from 2001. If it has a Tachograph, it may need to be calibrated for a first test, though for private use you are not required to use i And of course you will need a pre 1999 issued licence to drive it as it is a goods vehicle of 6000kg Gross weight, its too heavy to downrate to under 3500kg GVW. https://www.gov.uk/annual-test-for-lorries-buses-and-trailers/vehicles-that-must-take-the-annual-test

Having blown up the pics it appears to have a modern repro body tub, "one of the best in the country"? for 30K..

Weather permitting, the planes start taking off at 12 noon on Tuesday from Goodwood then 10 groups fly to various locations, Biggin Hill, Duxford, Bentwaters, North Weald, Colerne, Northholt, link to the routes. http://www.battleofbritainday.co.uk/#!routes/c1px Documentaries on Channel 4 TV too http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-commemorates-battle-of-britain-with-aerial-spectacular

What a surprise here in South London, about 1.30pm, the distinct rattle of radial engines and B17 Sally B flies over, and back again later, it was also doing a display at wings & wheels show down at Dunsfold Surrey