Richard Farrant

I have seen this craft many times over the years, at the Headcorn museum, if you are saying this one is not a piloted version, then it must have been the Air Ministry or whoever was in charge of it who have "modified" it, as photos of it at Farnborough in 1945 show a canopy on it. :undecided: Or have I misunderstood your post?

Niels, I think you will find the Ferrets, Saracens, Saladins, Daimler Armd Cars, plus a few others are from a historical or ceremonial collection, give the up-to-date modern equipment that follows them. This can be born out by one of the Saracens which has reverse flow cooling "beehives", but no front shroud. Experience tells me that his vehicle will not travel far, especially in the Qatar climate, without overheating, even if conventional fans are fitted, the hot air cannot evacuate easily and can cause vapour locks.

Hi, I think Hanno was refering to one of my posts about using a 214 in a MW. It was done for a customer about 12 years ago, so will have set my mind back a bit. The 214 was an army reconditioned unit for a Bedford TK as it had the lugs on top of the bell housing for the support bar. I had to change over the 28hp flywheel housing only to find the flywheel is a different size so starter will not mesh. The 214 crank I recall had six flywheel studs or bolts and the 28hp had four, so the old flywheel was taken to a machine shop to drill two more holes to match the crank. Then the original flywheel, clutch and bell housing are fitted. This ensures the original type of rear mounting is retained. Apart from a mod to the throttle linkage, the rest was plain sailing until I came to fit the radiator. The top hose connection from engine to rad was not a good mate. The owner required no mods done that made a refit to old spec. a problem. So an adaption of the pipe on top of the thermostat housing did the trick. The old 28hp engine turns out approx. 72 bhp whereas the late 214 is about 100bhp for an engine of about the same capacity. I am not sure of the rear mountings on a J type, but if they are similar to the MW then you might be able to use the negine complete along with gearbox. You can recognise a MW engine by the negine number above the lift pump, it will start "MW", but also an OY, OX, K and M would not be of enough difference to matter as they are to all intents and purposes the same engine. Hope this is of help. Richard

I have a Parker-Hale catalogue from 1953 and it gives a brief insight on work carried out during WW2. They overhauled and renovated 25,000 military rifles and manufacured 28 million rounds of Drill and Dummy cartridges for the Ministry of Supply.

Hi Paul, As I have indicated to Troy, the bands are worn out, take a look at the adjusters in the upper photo. Same principle as a Ferret, Saracen etc. the Wilson design. regards, Richard

I remember being told by the Maidstone licencing office that I could drive an unregistered vehicle for its MoT, providing an appointment is made with its chassis number. I enquired with my insurance comapny and they said they would insure it on the chassis number until such time as the reg no. was issued. Perhaps situation has changed. i cannot see that DVLA area offices have different policies, more like their own interpretation.

You have spilt some oil in a puddle of water ? :undecided:

Hi Stefan, Good to see you on here. A long time since we last met. Welcome to the forum. regards, Richard

Just noticed also that the car in the upper photo has 6 stud front wheels there all the Type P2 models (like the second photo), had 4 stud wheels. They were built on different models of Citroen, as you will see on the register database that someone has posted a link to. All very interesting, as it was one of those things that my father used to tell me about.

Lauren, Looking at other photos I have of that car, I can now see the upper one is not the same vehicle as the one with Grandfather driving, but does have the same registration number. If you look closely it has more louvres in the bonnet sides and looks to be larger. Richard

This may be testing of a prototype, and not enough consideration was given to the axle mountings and weight of the vehicle. A case of "back to the drawing board".

Lauren, I think there is no difference, it is down to the lower photo having 3 men on board and the suspension has levelled out. My grandfather drove this actual car from 1922 and I think it predates the military trials, will dig out the details when I can. The car's owner, William Robinson, was a landscape gardener, he became wheelchair bound and this car was a godsend in that he could be driven to all parts of his estate.

Hi Mike, Welcome to the forum. Did you rescue the IGL8 from Mutton's yard at Sissinghurst around 1980? I remember seeing one in there, along with other gems. A friend bought a Morris Commercial C4 compressor truck from there, which I helped him to restore, I think it was the only vehicle that was under cover and in better nick than the rest. regards, Richard

Hi John, That is my grandfather driving the Citroen. He was Wiliam Robinson's chauffeur. I have a couple of photos, but not this one, I have a little bit of info, you can PM me. My father grew up at Gravetye. best regards, Richard

I am on the organising committee of a MV event overseas which has been going for 33 years. It takes place over 7 days, not big in vehicle numbers but those who do turn up often travel 100's of miles to get there, in one case thousands of miles. It does not take public admission money, but they are welcome to come and see the vehicles. We have trips out over several days with organised visits, quite often schools where we are warmly received. The ultimate day has a drive through the local town to a display venue with all the vehicles lined up for an aerial photo, and a swap meet takes place. In the evening a presentation and auction, which is for donated items, and the income agian going to support the event. We charge an entry fee of equivalent to £10, this covers administration cost such as printing, phone bills, etc. The local council over the last couple of years have recognised how many visitors and increase of trade is brought in and have given us a grant under a tourism scheme, with this last year, every registered participant recieved a cap with embroidered logo, and a coffee mug also with logo. The grant also paid for other requirements, such as a site office for the week and an aerial platform to take the photos by. Discount vouchers from businesses in the area were received. Now this event is for the owners and enthusiasts and no one quibbles about a fee. I have been going to War & Peace since before it was known as that, I look at it as a meeting of enthusiasts, not there to show off to the public, therefore the entry fee is in fact a "camping fee" and for 8 days, pretty good value.

Best of luck with that !

OK Juddy, I will see Charlie and the others there, sorry to miss you. Had a call from him recently. Think he is on commission selling the idea of RB44 for bush treks

hi Juddy, Those blokes laying underneath it ............ neither of them is the owner, they are both have footwear regards, Richard

Hi Juddy, Looking good mate, well done. Will you be taking it to Corowa in March? I know Charlie A is going. regards, Richard

Happy New Year ......... sounds like a battlefield outside !

You are right there Maurice, difficult see any leaks on a Humber block. Have a look at the Dingo workshop manual, you can see it is a very light colour.

Hi Maurice, I think from new, they were a light grey. The last one I restored had low mileage after an army rebuild, the block and head were obviously "new" from condition and stencilled marking on the rocker cover were similar to what i had seen in wartime photos. Stencilling was definitely painted over grey. I had a feeling this was a factory engine and not an army rebuild (no rebuild data plate on it either). regards, Richard

Think the AA would struggle to sort that one out

Hi Adrian, I assume it is a large commercial type of plate. You could take it to your local motor factor that deals with truck parts, they may be able to help. The other one is Past Parts Ltd at Bury St Edmunds, they recondition brake and clutch parts, I would try these people first.

Hi, Looking good. Now I think this all sounds familiar, I think the owner's father crewed one with the 2nd HC. Glad to see it is coming together. regards, Richard