N.O.S.

Too right. Partly 'cos they're pictures with people in. Interesting in a way how few people (me included sad to say - I always take my camera and forget to use it)) bother to take photographs at the time - perhaps we don't realise at the time that anyone might in the future be interested in daily run-of-the-mill stuff that is just part of a job. Was that you covered in mud Gordon? Whatever state must the Scammell cab have been in?

'Ere, next time that Adrian Barrell can recover his own tank off the range'

Thanks for the comments so far. Yes she imediately thought of Duxford - I advised against it. The problem is finding the RIGHT museum - for example Thorpe Abbots nearby is primarily USAAF. Those Kent museums look top drawer, TonyB!

I've been asked by the widow of a friend who died recently to try to find a museum or charitable organisation which might be interested in displaying his two complete Control Panels - for a Lancaster and a Spitfire. They've been beautifully done using laser-cut panels, with only one or two replica instruments used to complete them. I believe there is also an engineers panel (Lancaster I'm guesing, will view soon). Ideally a museum or charitable trust, where these panels can be enjoyed by visitors. East Anglia or near would be best but all suggestions considered. If you can recommend a suitable recipient for them I'll glady pass the information to her.

Well yes, I have a look on there quite often

At that price it probably won't be very well hardened - if at all, so you should be able to weld a nut on with no hassle (low hydrogen rod or MIG should do it ok). There are other types of No.2 socket about - might pay to look around, but some parallel outer sockets could be proper hard ones so be careful. My dad used to use an old blacksmith's ratchet drill for everything on the old gravel plants, so it could be said you've never had it so good.........

That 22mm drill and morse taper /nut adapter sounds a great bodge If the one you've been lent is really rough, you can pick a No.2 socket quite cheaply and make a new one up. Here's just one supplier: http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Morse-Taper-Extension-Socket-2-2-MT.html I hate to think what an impact air gun would do to the drill bit :shocked:

Without doubt the words BUGGER and BODGER are synonymous with Scammell ownership. We have every confidence in you Rob, don't let us and Big Jenny down :whentitsdone:

Ah, I understand now - you certainly don't want any litigation growing in your cooling system. :banana:

Ooooh. You've got me worried now - is this something to do with the phasing out of Glycol based antifreeze? Could you explain what the problem is with older engines please?

I've used this company, very quick service. They have their own braiding machine: http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/ They put a cotton braid of whatever spec you want (loads of stock colours) over pvc insulated cable. There is a limit to diameter that can be covered, so the multicore cables tend to be the thin wall insulated type.

Just be aware - there is a limit to the power that can be put through these side-mount ptos. If you are expecting to use all available engine power, then expect possible problems. Having said that it amazes me what some people manage to get away with :cool2:

That is it in an eggshell (I mean nutshell) - there is some reflective criteria for determining what 'dead matt' is, and satin must be about halfway between that and gloss. So semi satin is more matt than satin, therefore less durable than satin. Well that's how I think of it - it could I guess be regarded as being halfway between gloss and satin. Best to be clear exactly what you want when ordering!!

I mixed satin dark olive drab 50/50 with matt olive drab (from same supplier) to give me the colour I wanted - guess you could genuinely call that 'semi-satin'

The other thing about doing all this bio fuel thingy is it might help delay the inevitable exhaustion of 'affordable' real fuel - or has that day just about arrived? I agree, either way we're stuffed. Best crack on with the restoration projects then :cool2:

I guess the only legitimate reason would have to be that famous Japanese automotive slogan - RERIABIRITY :cool2: Also possible availability issues of a suitable petrol lump?

Just goes to prove what a complete load of muppets we are - look at what we've achieved over the centuries in terms of innovative engineering, and now look at how we're 'gumming' it all up (if you excuse the pun) by rushing into changes. How do we get them to stop these kneejerk reactions like messing about with fairy fuels without proper consultation and due diligence - and a bit of forethought?

I really don't think this is a conspiracy theory way of getting rid of old vehicles - but I do think it is a panicstricken rush into trying to save the planet without thinking things through first and then going about it in a sensible way. On the other hand, perhaps we don't have time to think things through - but then again if we can't even save ourselves (although we'll bankrupt ourselves trying :laugh: - just think how much we don't do in this country anymore 'cos the environmental cost is too high to do it economically, but instead we buy in from other countries which don't have such restrictive environmental regulations - doh! no wonder it is cheaper....:nut:), whatever chance do we have of saving the world? Erm, was that too heavy? I'll just go and have another biocoffee.

In fact what you're proposing is quite possibly the way of the future, but just a bit ahead of time - maybe when manufacturers retain lifetime ownership of cars, as Ford's vision is/was, then this might be the best way forward. But that would (entail) probably go hand in hand with a massive change in the way we live/work/travel, and so not particularly relevant to considering whether the MOT system as it stands is doing its job?

There could well be good sense in what you advocate Paul, but I for one would like to see a much more detailed proposal before I was convinced there was any mileage in it, and that it would be affordable to the majority of car owners. I guess all us drivers are heading towards becoming dinosaurs - maybe the oil will run out before they declare a new geological era. Jack - can we keep the clubhouse bar open 24/7 for a while? It's going to be a long night :cool2:

And what colour is this guy painting the star background I wonder? USAAF, Norfolk, 1944/1945. I guess anything goes!

Just thought this post was worth repeating - says it all, and politely too! :thumbsup::angel:

Great stuff, Goran! I love the two bikes DIT and DAH. Keep them coming, folks :-)

In the early '50s my dad made up a starter rope for use with one of their old asthmatic Chaseside rope loading shovels (P6 Fordson Major base unit). It was a metal ring on the handle with a length of rope each side. That way with one person on the handle and persons two and three each side they could keep the engine turning over long enough for it to reluctantly cough ino life. Oh - I forgot the fourth person in the driver's seat holding the elctric starter button down :D Those were the days.......

Welcome to the world of 'strange smelling oils' - the world of automatic transmissions Nothing to worry about - normal for a unit like this - the aroma of burnt oil and friction material, bit like an oil-soaked clutch smell.