Richard Farrant

Hi Graham, You had a bit more snow at Heathfield, than we had here. Reckon it would not have been more than 2 inches, even less at work. At least it was a sunny morning, had the doors open and it was quite warm for a spell.

Thanks for posting that photo. I had heard it was used as a home and nice to see how it was.

Just started snowing in Ashford

Don't forget to put a padlock on it, or they will all be using it :-D

It would have been more apt to paint the nuts on the right, then you could have the slogan, "White is Right", to remember it by :-D...........sorry, I'm off to bed

the latter I understand

That WW1 Locomobile, the "Verdun Wanderer", not seen it for years. I bet GWT knows about it. I was always impressed how all the brass plates on it had survived.

Heck, this will go on for ever.............Jordan

Not what I meant..............it returned from the Swiss collection to the UK. Later it departed for a country in the Near East.

They are actually called Orolo track units. I think the jib arrangement is not original. The RAF used a lot for them for recovering aircraft, amongst other uses.

I know that this one came back to the UK for a short time before leaving the country for sunnier climes.

Try this list, it has more entries of us in the restoration business in it ; www.milweb.net/dealers.php?catID=29

Hi Jim, Sending you a PM

You box needs an overhaul, 1st gear band worn out, 2nd well on its way, and 5th gear is well up on adjustment. I did see a new gearbox for sale on a website a few days ago, could be cheaper than rebuilding as it is a job that needs doing right, ie setting it up.

Right, first the oil is a SAE30 engine oil. Good job you were aware of procedure for removing the bus bar spring, because it should never be removed under compression, could be lethal if the bolts had run out of thread. You might have got a "false neutral" and now when you put it back, with something like 3rd gear selected it may be alright. You say there is a lot of sludge and moisture, it makes me wonder if the band linings are breaking up or worn. Have you removed the tin cover on the top of the box? If so you will see the five band adjusters at the top, see how far down from the top face of the nut, that the male thread is. Better still, post some photos of these adjusters and bands.

The bus bar has gone "over centre", the pedal needs a hard kick to release it. Select a gear, before you do it. Could be that the bands are out of adjustment. Do not try opening the box up, the pedal has to be released to free the box.

I have never heard or come across that before. It is so simple, LH threads are on LH side of vehicle

Steve, If it is the same one, I thought it was lighter than that, but the colours of the photo do not seem right, everything is a bit too green. As you say, it looks to be enhanced. When I first saw it was coming up to 30 years ago, memory not that clear.

If that is the same one I came across later in Sussex, then I don't think it had been repainted as the wartime census number was still visible.

Cannot be sure on that, Phil

It has a NATO stock number under the makers name, so that dates it, in other words, it is not WW2 !

Phil, I think the rad badge had "Thames" on it, but not Trader, that was a later civvy truck. The 6D was a common conversion I understand. Chassis length was about the same as a RL, and ambulance chassis was the same as the other two models. There could be a plate on the chassis, usually on the nearside, or try in the cab. The AA gun tractor had a winch fitted.

Hi Adrian, That is correct, there was at least one Ram at this place, that I recollect. I did think the Matilda was gone by then, I am a frequent visitor to the location. Something in my mind tells me the Matilda was sold to a certain person and it was restored as a gate guardian for the Army, unless I am mixing it with another one.

Peter, I knew of one Matilda II that I think came from Rainham Marshes, it had been a range target with minor damage to one side. It definitely went for preservation, but as to where, I forget now, it was last seen by me in Sussex in the very early 80's. Knowing the photo you refer to, it could well be the same one.

Phil, There were three variations ordered on Ministry of Supply contract no. DO/6/VEHICLES/7980/CB27A, dated 14th July 1951 1,408 Model 2E Binned Stores vehicle 782 Model 3E Ambulance 2,810 Model 4E Light Anti Aircraft vehicle I am not aware of a further contract so this would be the total number ordered if so. They had a Canadian V8 engine I am led to believe, with a vertical distributor. They suffered loose valve seats from accounts heard from different people. The cab was a basic pressing shared with a commercial Commer lorry of the time, hence the nickname, "Commer cab Ford", I think off the top of my head the cab makers was Briggs Motor Bodies.