Richard Farrant

A few years ago, I restored a jeep for a customer and he had an unused set of Humber sidescreens which he wanted fitting, here is one view. Humbers produced these sets in about 3 contracts, which were first dated at February 1944 and last one dated about Jan 1945, numbering about 16,000.

On my restorations for customers and myself, I use a gloss paint as a barrier, as Pete says, but then use a semi-matt finish. This has a bit of a sheen at first but will dull down after a while. Then it looks as good as origininal without the problem of oil and grease soaking in to it and marring it. I once had a chap come in, nearly in tears as he had restored a jeep with authentic US matt finish, there was a leak from his transfer box and on the initial test run it was drawn up and cover the rear of the body with oil spots. He then tried to clean it off with WD40 and ended up having to wipe over the complete vehicle to make it match. Semi-matt, the way to go!

During 1944, and I believe, after D-day, there were intructions and mod kits to retro fit hip rings/cupolas to lorries in the field. I think their importance was to observe for air attacks on convoys. You may also find preserved vehicles built pre-1944, that have gone through a rebuild and may not have their original cabs fitted, so there again could have a late cab on an early chassis.

Think you should do a bit of research, Bedfords and Austins as well as others did not have hip ring / cupola on their hard cabs until about 1943 ........

The cupola was only on QL's made from around late 1943 onward if i recollect. Will find the chassis number later. Mine is a 43 model and never had a cupola.

Check the rego number, it looks like the same as the lorry in the video.

I remember him presenting me with a vehicle award at one of the IMPS events at Tenterden, in 1986. He was in his Home Guard uniform and acting the part. Sadly missed, but time marches on.

Tim, I joined MVCG (now MVT) at the time of the first Windscreen, think it was 1978 give or take a year. In those days there were no other magazines on MV's and books were pretty sparse as well. So the quarterly Windscreen was eagerly expected and read from cover to cover, especially the small ads. I still have every copy. Of course in the early Eighties we had the launch of Bart's Wheels & Tracks, never beaten and sorely missed.

A non-military book, but just written by a good friend who is a MV collector. I am halfway through it at present. The true story of an Australian adventurer from the early part of the 20th century. He cycled and drove numerous times, across the country where no one had done this before. Also he was the first person to drive from London to Melbourne in a car in the late 1920's. A very thoroughly researched book with gripping tales. Francis Birtles - Australian Adventurer by Warren Brown

Just found this, looks like the one you are talking about. http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=848

Paul, I take that as a compliment, thanks

Household Cavalry, but do not know anymore than that.

I thinki the 6x6 Trader was a conversion by All Wheel Drive Ltd, from Camberley.

You mentioned earlier that after its RAF service it was used by Serco and Chubb. Is it not a possibility that one of those companies painted it blue and grey? Then a private owner might have put it back to green. he crest on the side could also be something done since it left service. The Defence Fire Service emblem has a crown at the top as already pointed out so this must be something else. Another posibility is that the roof is from another vehicle and was fitted since its RAF service.

The plate has been overstamped with the post war WD number, original one would be F48197 if I have my calculations right.

Tim, if you had a truck running on gas, what with the wood supply on board, you would never be able to load goods up to the normal payload, so 70% reduction of power is bearable, especially if the wood is free! I have just remembered how some years ago, a local military parts dealer had bought a Dodge D60 from France still with the gas producer fitted. Do not know where that one ended up.

Hi Tim, Here are the scans relating to the 1937 Chevrolet from Sweden. gas producer 001.pdf gas producer 002.pdf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20197535

Hi Tim, Many years ago, a 1937 Chevrolet lorry from Sweden was on the HCVS London to Brighton run and I had a leaflet from the driver, explaining the workings along with a diagram. As soon as I get my other PC fired up I will scan it. It was converted during WW2 with a Hesselman gas generator using wood for fuel.

Hi, Without actually seeing this engine it is not easy to understand why it leaks, but I did notice in the page I scanned from the parts list that the rings are only in the two outer gaskets. As the ports look to be the same configuration as the old Willys MB engine (except no inlet) and they did not need the metal rings, I would try the one piece MB gasket (I reckon it will fit but has redundant holes for inlet ports) and see if it cures the leak. Just realised the rings are only there to locate the gaskets as there is only one stud.

A message to all past, present and future participants of the Annual Corowa Swim-In & Military Vehicle Gathering. The next edition of KVE News, the newsletter dedicated to the Swim-In, is scheduled to come out in January with all the up to date information for the 2013 event in March. As Editor of KVE News, I am looking for articles on your restorations along with photos. If you have any interesting military vehicle restoration stories to tell, please send them to me as soon as possible. We will also be preparing a Special Edition of KVE News in printed form which will be in the pre-registered participants packs when you arrive at Corowa. We have recently received confirmation of another successful application of a Tourism Event grant from the Corowa Shire Council which will help cover some of our costs of running the event as well as being able to give some promotional items to pre-registered participants. These will include a 2013 Year of the Trailed Equipment and Armoured Vehicle hat, a special bumper sticker and a pen, along with a few other items. A good reason to get your entry forms in now to ensure you do not miss out. The entry form and recent KVE News can be downloaded from the website which is www.corowaswim-in.org Look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Richard Farrant Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts Inc. - Committee Member and Newsletter Editor

A fantastic video taken from inside the Mosquito on a short flight where they form up with a DH Vampire and a Spitfire. A head camera is used. The beeping noise is explained on the youtube page.

Rick, The MV's was not their main business, it was open cast mining and civil engineering. Military vehicles were the boss's hobby.

Michael, the lorry was auctioned off by the Newcastle Regional Museum in New South Wales on 23rd March 1997.

Hi Clive, That will probably be a low air warning buzzer off a truck. I have used these on 12v instead of a warning lamp on some of my restorations. As you say, it depends on its location as to how effective it is.