James Shopland

James, this is my Humber (which is in the USA), Pauletto's (Luigi's) is in Italy and I have his listed on the restoration forum along with this one. Lance

Thanks Lance, sorry for the confusion. The sentiments are just the same; you are doing a great job. I have always liked the Humber scout cars since I saw one back in the 1990's at the D-day show on Southsea Common. Several years ago I saw four wrecks at the Dutch Cavalry Museum; I never found out what happened to them. Best regards, James.

Dear Pauletto, We are all enthusiasts and the pictures tell it all You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.

James

 

Just on the off chance you havent thought of this but have you spoken to Preston Isaacs I know he has some 4.5/5.5 bits for sale

 

cheers

Richard

Thanks Richard.

Hi James,

Thats a worry, having a senior moment at your age

 

cheers, Richard

You are right but I blames stress. Dad was on my case about finding a 'Commer' cab for the Fordson.....my mistake :undecided:

The Humber looks fantastic. Looking forward to seeing the pictures when she's finished

I was just wondering if you finished the QL restoration and if you have any more pictures?

best regards,

james.

Sorry Richard, you are right. Was having a senior moment. We have two very tired Fordsons :undecided:

Did you get enough 3.7 photos in the end?

Today was the first outing of the year for our old Bedford OY which behaved impeccably whilst being used in a promotional video for the Tyntesfield WWII event, held on the weekend of the 1 & 2 June 2013.

Have to admit I felt a little smug inside a toasty cab but I did feel for the poor actresses in their tea dresses against a biter North wind. Role on the Spring.....

I would like to concur with Rippo. We have a very early tanker that has lots of peculiarities..

Hi James, Matman amd all

The markings on your guns seem to be 201 Battery Herts and Beds Yeomanry which was part of 100 Regt RA (V) until 1996/7. In the 70's they had 5.5's converting in 1980 to Light Gun and FH70 in 1990, back to Light Gun and the dedicated TA battery as part of 7 RHA in 1997 The other batteries where 200 Bty surrey & Sussex Yeomanry, 202 Bty sufolk & Norfolk Yeomanry and in the late 90's 307 Bty South Notts Hussars.

I worked on 5.5's with 100 Regt as a Gunfitter,and via various promotions/postings worked on Light gun/Fh70 with 100 Regt until 1997. I have a 201 Bty sticker somewhere if I can find it, James, you are welcome to it.

Regards

Rob Grainger

Thanks Rob, that is very kind.

You don't fancy a weekend in Somerset reliving the days of your youth with a 5.5" :laugh:

Kindest regards,

James.

We have the remains of three chassis in the yard which are well shot but if they can be saved I am a firm believer in saving the old girls. Sadly I didn't get too far with the leg clamp; other projects kept me from the workshop for most of the weekend :embarrassed: We did have a big shuffle around in the garage in preparation for our rally at Tyntesfield House in June. We started a number of the Bedfords and loaded the carrier on it's trailer. All these things take so much time and you always end up with more things to fix than when you first started! James

Hi,

 

I was wondering if anyone know where I can find a PTO for a Commer Q4 gearbox? I also require other parts including the window winder cables, they are like landrover wiper drive cables but smaller in diameter, did they fit this cable to other vehicles?

 

Rob.

 

1954 Commer Q4

Hey guys, we have too very tired Commer Q4s, one ambulance and one gun tractor. If you find any good sources of part please let us know. Best regards, James.

A quick hello to everyone on the forum. I've been involved in the Italian military vehicle scene for far longer than I'm prepared to admit. My English isn't up to much so I'll be using Stefano as my Signals Clerk. At the moment I'm giving the Fox a proper once over with Stefano (I'm helping him with the WOT2 - fair's fair). The next major job is going to be the Humber - Can't wait.

All the Best,

Luigi

Welcome Luigi, I see you have a Fox a/c. Would be great to see some pictures James. (Fellow Fox owner.)

Morning Mel, It is always funny how we all say 'half' Matadors We have not list most of our old girls on the web site as they are properly tired. We have one timber tractor and a gun tractor in 'restored' condition and a host of others in various states of disrepair. The RAF generator truck is complete with the exception we have no generator; all it really needs is a good lick of paint. I am not sure we could afford to produce the cabs commercially. Best regards, James.

Good work.

Hi James, I have an ex-RAF one (also a 1950's build) with a similar reg to that one, I'll have a look at what it was and let you know. The one I mean is on the attached pictures, the frame work and ramps can be seen in the rear body. I know 100% it an Army mod, as the truck has only been with one family since de-mob and it's never been touched!! Cheers, Mel [ATTACH=CONFIG]74532[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74533[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74534[/ATTACH]

Hi Mel, have to admit I have never seen such a conversion but it looks like a generator or pump of some sorts. Lovely original truck though. How many Matador do you have? James.

Hi James, Great to see another Mat, it looks great I also have a 3.7" HAA but haven't ever tried to tow it with the Mat, the 5.5" is heavy enough to pull, I don't fancy the extra 3 ton of the 3.7", especially on the hills around here!! :nono: Going off subject a bit here, I have another Mat which is a 1951 build, and it has a frame in the back for what I think was for transporting a generator for possibly a radar unit, could you ask your Dad if he remembers anything like that in the Mats he was on?? Cheers, Mel

Is it like this one.....

Dad says all his generator sets and radar vans were towed by standard tractors.

The one above was an RAF Unit. I will try and find a better picture and the serial number

Yours etc.

ps. Our old girl struggles with the 3.7" HAA Gun. Unless it is on the flat we don't even try these days!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]74458[/ATTACH]

 

Hi James, Let me know if you need any more info with anything. The gun is Bronze Green as it matches my Mat, it's an old restoration and will need re-painting into correct colours at some point!! Cheers, Mel

Okay Mel now you are showing off! :laugh: She is a beaut and a fine looking out fit. We are a long way off that. We restored our Matador gun tractor in the early 90's and she needs some work now. I have to admit I like the deep bronze green look; very National Service. My Father served in 56 HAA Rgt RA in 1952 with Matadors, 3.7-inch guns and radar sets all in bronze green. We are hoping to complete another Matador in the near future tow the 4.5-inch but we need to complete the gun first and the a Staghound! lol.....too many toys and not enough time!

Here are a few pictures of the interior......

Seat in the front compartment.

Rear compartment.

Looking at the left of the body through the rear door. I guess the vent is for the wireless set?

Your thoughts are much appreciated. For example is the colour correct?

Best regards,

James.

Hey guys here are a few shots of the roof of our QLR. Please forgive the poor light, dust and leaves but I was in a hurry.

Any thoughts to the set-up much appreciated :cheesy:

Mel you are a legend, thank you. I will try and take a look at that over the weekend but I guess it might be a good idea to get some more oxygen first! :cheesy: Have to admit your gun looks immaculate; I like the deep Bronze Green look! I suspect ours will be painted olive to match the AEC but that is a long way off to be thinking about just now.

Hi Andy, We have six to add to your list :cheesy: Drop me a line via http://www.shoplandcollection.com and we will see what we can find out foor you. Yours etc. James

Thanks Mel, I have not seen any of those pictures of the 4.5-inch guns. They are very impressive when set up. We are currently having issues pulling the pin on the central trail lock that the breech is fixed to, when in travelling mode. All fun and games! Thanks again for posting the photos; you are not alone on the PC illiteracy, I certainly struggle too.

Hi James, not sure when they changed the carriages. But the Mk2 certainly is more straight forward than the Mk1 type, it must have taken ages to do all that riveting!!! I found a few pictures for you, you may have already seen them though. Cheers, Mel [ATTACH=CONFIG]74403[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74404[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74405[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74406[/ATTACH]

Sorry Mel, It wont let me view your pictures :-(