Stormin

Be great when he eventually gets the collection displayed for the public. The web-site is also looking good with some great detail shots. I looked on google for more general information on Kevin Wheatcroft and found this article which explains how he started out. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/442a5f74-18a0-11db-b02f-0000779e2340.html Norman

Well it's got a mention in Total Off Road magazine as being on and run alongside the RTV, albeit on a different section of land. Has no-one got any more information on whether or not it's on? I'd consider the long journey down just to watch such a rare event. Trouble is if it's all last minute that's going to reduce the entries significantly and this type of event doesn't stand much chance of taking off again. Norman

Witham's are listing the shipping weight of the slightly larger wide track sankeys at 375kg http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=355&Overide=1 Your narrow track will be a few maybe 25-50 kg less. My understanding is that your son could tow it unladen or lightly loaded upto the 750kg limit, but not fully loaded as this would be around 1100kg. They're very well built and capable of carrying a lot more where you're not governed by road laws. Norman

Hi Mick, I'm in the "fortunate" position of owning both a 101 and lightweight. The lightweight is going to be a better bet for everyday use. More commonality with series 3 land rover parts, and hence cheaper to fix. Yes a lightweight would also be cheaper to run as regards fuel unless you go to LPG. If you go for a lightweight make sure the top bulkhead vent panel is in good nick. This is the hardest part to repair, and expensive to replace now. Rest of bulkhead is straight forward flat panels. Chassis repair parts are mostly common with other land rovers. Chassis repair parts for a 101 are more difficult. I waited 7 months for a rear crossmember from the 101 owners club! One of the main areas to watch on a 101 is front swivels. these are part of the axle, unlike most other land rovers. Good luck with your land rover purchase and enjoy one of the cheapest and most practical military vehicles available. Norman

The 101 forward control club sell a product called Mystox for re-proofing hoods. It's a lot more expensive than fabsil but supposedly a lot better. It can also be pigmented to any colour I understand. Haven't tried it myself yet but I'm sure someone on here will have. Would imagine it's available elsewhere. Norman

As expensive as a country house in a desirable place. Guess that's me out then! Not that I'd see anything like that value in a replica. Surely most of the value in WWII tanks is the history associated with them, especially for collectors. I think a new one may be OK for the rich boys who want to pose around and look the part but come time to sell on and there would be a very limited market. If you want something without, or certainly less history, more modern and reliable you could probably buy a late release tank for a lot lot less. Norman

I would like to say only in America! http://www.bunkerofdoom.com/mil/PMR1/index.html But then I rembered that Ferret on Ebay recently which could run it close!

I have recently purchased a Bedford TM from a military vehicle dealer. How do I go about registering the vehicle? Will I need to go through the dreaded SVA test and what does it involve? I'm assuming the vehicle will need some work before being presented for test and will be storing it off road in the meantime. All the info on the DVLA web-site points towards licensing as well ,i.e. presenting insurance documents and paying vehicle excise duty upon registration. Will I have to present the vehicle for seperate SVA and MOT tests? How much is it all likely to cost? I will be ging along to the local DVLA office today to ask advice, but I would like to hear some experinced views form people who've been through or know the process. Norman

I thought ordinary (metal with rubber insert) track was only good for a few thousand miles. So unless you buy a vehicle with very new tracks on release you could soon be looking at an expensive bill. I also thought the track bushings were prone to wear leading to the slackening of tension and seizing of track pins. With all of the above rubber track looks quite attractive, except if the costs are as high as you say. It certainly seems to be very common on small excavators these days. I would love a tracked vehicle one day but practicalities are keeping me sensible, at the moment.

Thanks Chris. That's sort of what I had assumed. I thought the rubber tracks would be an improvement for civvy (Non armed forces) use due to the reduced maintenance burden.

Saw this at Witham's yesterday. Not not in the tender sale, but near the offices. Looks like a CVR(t) APC but full rubber tracks and what look like nylon drive sprockets.

Just seen this come up on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160158040159 Too much for me at the moment I'm afraid. :-(

Any more progress! Be interested to see some more photographs. That's a helluva blast kit. Looks similar to what was used on my 101 chassis when I took it to be blasted. Had to use my small kit at home to tidy up missed bits afterwards though.