Richard Farrant

Hi Alan, Only just spotted this post, I saw the Porcupine photo, I have a distant cousin who was a works rider for AJS and Matchless around 1950-52 and he raced one of the Porcupines.

Tim, If the 33 is on a blue square, that represents Royal Engineers, so doubtful if it is recce. My own Dingo was also Royal Engineers, timescale points to Italy and RE Museum told me the number on the square was a Field Company.

I have just checked on MLU Forum and the last time "Simex" was written in a post was 2007, so I think you may be reading old posts on there. I did buy some Trackgrip tyres from their European HQ about 6 years ago, since then, the company has come under the German tyre maker, Continental, which has caused the problems I understand., and sadly this source has now dried up, never saw any 12.00-20 anyway, it was 9.00-16 Trackgrips they brought in ( not Runflat). As for approaching Simex USA, I think it would have been better to have gone straight to Malaysia, as the USA base, would only have been an importer, not manufacturer, so no different than talking to the European HQ.

I know someone who has a recently rebuilt short engine ( ie. less ancillaries), PM me if you are interested.

The Morris Commercial with full cab conversion, looks like it originally was an open cab C8 Portee, 17pdr tractor, etc, by front mudguards and rear body.

Hi Jim, The Scammell looks wonderful ....and nice to see it in 1950's rebuild style. Every possibility that those FV headlights would have been fitted then, and despite what you say, the Sky Blue engine fits the bill for a rebuild. As Andy says, a nice tidy winch rope. At the Workshops were I worked, we had a chap who would fit new eyes in the ropes for me, whipping the ends and binding them like that, much nicer to see than the swaged ends.

Tim, Unit markings on offside front and rear, div signs on nearside front and rear

Hi Suzi, The reasoning behind my thoughts were this. I once worked for a REME workshops, all rebuilt engines and equipment had a data plate stamped and fitted, our workshop identification was "EC02". This dated back to wartime, meaning Eastern Command and digit relating to the workshop. Eastern Command was phased out years ago from this area ( it was South East District), so to get back to your number, I thought it might relate to a workshop within Southern Command, hence "SOU".

Mark, Strangely enough, I have just fitted a new temp guage in a Jeep and the capilliary tube was barely long enough, compared to the old one, less than two foot I reckon. So if you order one, check the length. I cannot remember where this one came from.

Hi Montie, I think what might be stopping people from replying is that the Saracen is modified from original, I see the braking system is radically changed, and steering must also be, then the electrics. Having done quite a bit of work on Saracens in last 30+ years, I might be able to give some advice. For oil seals and other parts, you should contact Richard Banister in the UK, they will have them and send out to you, email address is wjrbanister@btconnect.com You should have the complete EMER for the vehicle, this is in several sections, Technical Description, Unit Repairs, Field Repairs and Base Repairs. Without these it will be difficult for me to convey instructions to you and for you to see exactly what to do.

Could be a duff plug. Years ago, most garages had a spark plug tester, where a plug could be subjected to sparking under pressures similar to the cylinder. We used to check new ones before taking out on a job, not unusual to get one that failed under pressure.

Is BSF and Whitworth alright, because I don't do Metric ? :-D

Having got it that far, I would say your belt is about the same as the RR issued belts. You need a bigger screwdriver ! With someone on the starting handle, use a pry bar or similar on the exhaust side of crank pulley, to influence the belt in to the 2nd groove, once there, you will then go to the dynamo pulley where belt comes up form below and find a way of forcing it towards the engine, the belt may roll on its back (ie twist), no problem because a few turns on the handle and it will right itself.

Tony, It is a Tilling Stevens TS20, and dual rear wheels are correct, it is a 4x2. The only one I know of was restored by Bill Hooker in Kent some years ago, and I think it must be that one.

Suzi, You could try enquiring about that number, with the REME Museum at Arborfield, a good contact there is Brian Baxter. Some of the rebuilds and overhauls of vehicles at that time were often done by contractors, ie. civilian garages, etc, known as Army Auxilliary Workshops (AAW), but as your engine has "SOU" on it, then it leads me to think it was done by a REME Workshop. A star.........thanks

Hi Suzi, The Contract number and Catalogue Ref. number are for Contract number C11101, a batch on WM20 machines built in 1941-42, with Census numbers, C4635001 - 4640000, and C4662156 - 4667155, frame numbers, WM20-53413 to 61412 and 61448 to 63447. The brass tag, on the engine is a rebuild plate, showing it was done in a Southern Command Workshop in 1949, the number 211 would signify which workshop. regards, Richard

At around the same time, I surveyed a Matilda 1 on Lydd Ranges, for the Tank Museum. This ties in with the Otterburn one and it was recovered, as Bob Grundy needed it for parts to restore one in running order for the museum. Unfortunately, they had both been facing the same way on the ranges, with running gear on same sides destroyed. It had been used on a PIAT range.

Hi Chris, I cannot be sure if the new belts you have are correct size, but rest assured, the correct belts are very tight to fit over the pulleys with the generator slackened right off. The best way is to have a helper with you, to use the starting handle to wind the engine over as you prise each belt over the pulleys. Fit the first belt over the outer pulley groove and once on all three pulleys, then move it over one, then repaet with second belt. Watch you fingers !

Hi Ray, Really enjoying your memories here. Keep them coming please. You have had over 2,100 views of this thread so far, so many others are enjoying it as well. :thumbsup: regards, Richard

You could order a bag of sand or ballast from the builders merchant, and when the lorry driver swings the bags over the fence, slip him a fiver to lift the turret on

Always look ahead, Jack

Jack, tell the Highways guys ,that after Adrian and the others have been though these lanes, they will be wider, so better for next year

:D John......I bet they have never herd of mushy peas either :-) We will have to send out Red Cross food parcels to you, else you will be wasting away, with only ham and cheese to eat.

Hi John, Is that right, that you can't get meat pies there ?

Didn't realise it was a quiz Mike :-) Looks like a Gomba Stonefield field ambulance, assembled locally by Hicom Deftech