kpu121265

some more

I too would like to publically add my sincere thanks to Brian, Ivor and their team for another 'good do' at Elvington this year. I know that there is a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes for these events, most of it unseen - and rarely even acknowledged. It is firmly on our radar as an annual must attend event. Whilst i have to apologise that they are only of my vehicles (not the plane...).... Here are some of the pictures i took. Ken

I am interested as well, as my Sherman has steel tracks. Having pondered over changing to rubber, i decided that the costs did not bring any benefit - certainly not for the mileage it will do in my hands....

You can stay with us if you get stuck. We have a field with the house there, just south of Bayeux off the St Lo road. There are 20-30 others staying with us. Running water, barns if it pours down, and a toilet are available - i've just worked out how to order a French portaloo..... Ken

Bienvenu, j'ai aussi un Wrecker 969 - elle va en Normandie Mai/Juin cette annee.....

I have most of the bits to put these two back together, the Sherman has distracted me, and now we are busy getting 5 of the vehicles ready for Elvington and then Normandy. Normandy has 'forced' me to get round to all sorts of long standing jobs - for example fitting the temp gauge to the Diamond T - which has been happily running without one for three years (foolish i know but i had other things to do), fixing the fractured manifold riser on the DT (which was done with help a fellow HMVF member), brakes on the half track, remarking all the vehicles (with help from Axeholme who are very good), buckets full of oil and grease - and so it goes on. I am looking for a top windscreen rail for the command car (WC16) and the WC21 so if you have any stuffed up your jumpers, or in the garden shed and they are for sale let me know. Oh, and the ever present search for parts for the Sherman interior is still going on.... A couple more pictures of the original WC16 markings enclosed. Ken

I have a WC21 in pieces and a WC16 in even more pieces. First picture is of WC21 when it arrived, it is stripped now. Second is stripped, cleaned and primered WC16 chassis, third is an example of original markings found on tailgate of WC16, we found all original markings on bonnet, tail gate, rear bumperettes, front bumper, cab sides and even the name of the radio operator who 'used' it during the war - thanks to some help from the super 6th historian in the States. We will faithfully recreate the markings, even down to the bonnet star being 1/8" higher on one side than the other.... Finding all the markings was a good day in the shed..... If WC16 markings are of any interest, follow this link to some of the images i have of the markings as they were unearthed.... There are lots of them, and lots that i haven't uploaded yet. http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgallery.php?cat=1926&page=1 Ken

I've got the drivers assigned and trained - for a do like this they were stepping forward. We have a huge kettle and do drink a lot of tea during daylight hours. Things change a bit as dusk draws in.... We have some property out there, about 10km south of Bayeux, with a big field and some outbuildings. There will be a few people camping in the field - and i'm pretty good at French but have been learning all sorts of new words for portable chemical toilet, although i was satisfied with cabine de toilette! If anyone needs any secure storage, somewhere to work if 'it' breaks, or the corner of a foreign field, let me know. Ken

I am going and taking the Diamond T, Half track, WC62, Slat Jeep and GMC - Adam is going as well, to provide the good lucks and an ability to communicate with the natives...

It weighs a 'lot' don't know how much 3 - 4 tons maybe with the main gun out... Next jobs are a big cup of tea and complete the strip down of it - all the time trying to find all the missing parts. Luckily we still have the WC16 resoration as a distraction, and currently preparing 5 vehicles to take to Normandy is hoovering up a lot of time....

That image was taken at the MVT Wings and Wheels event at Elvington last year. It was some sort of 2CV based Royal Navy something. I did talk to the chap, i'm afraid i can't remember if it was original or not. He seemed to spend a lot of time driving around to shows with it, for some reason i think he came from 'down south' somewhere (that is down south from Leeds where i am). If it is of special interest, let me know as we are going to Elvington again in May this year for the show - so can get his details, or some mroe info if he is there..... Ken

Here are some pictures of some of the vehicles. I am not near my pc at the moment so have scraped these up from one's i have sent in recent mails. There are a few more http://www.thetroubleshooters.com/702nd/2008pt001.html I should pull my finger out really and get an online album sorted. Ken

I have one, but don't want a fight just yet. It needs an engine and most of the internals (seats, turret basket, controls, breech (although have the main gun) etc etc etc. Ken

Here's mine first shot when we finally got to see her at Southampton docks almost twelve months to the day from paying for her. Second one is the start of the 'nose' job, or the restoration.... Ken

The honest answer i don't know how i broke it. It was the front drive shaft spindle which broke, the flange which the bearings actually mount to. It has not been doing anything 'off' road for a while (not that this is a parade queen, she is starting to look a bit tired after the restoration which is just the way i like my vehicles. It broke off where the 'pipe' shaped bit meets the flat face which bolts to the knuckle housing. According to Gary Hebding, it is not unheard of.... It is a miracle it all held together, we had to drive it 20 odd miles (no other option at the time) before i could get it recovered. Part which broke in 'N' on the attached picture. It gave me a reason to overhaul the front brakes and buy another spare spindle. Got very greasy that day! Back to the shed to start getting ready for Normandy..... Ken HTFA.pdf

Here's a picture of mine, not long after we broke one of the front axle spindles which was a 'bit' of a nuisance.....

I have some of these, and some new chambers as spares. Let me know if you get stuck. Regards, Ken

"Nice to know there's another one around to chat about" What a great place this is where we can get away with saying things like that...... "Your one lucky guy to have a half track,may be in acouple of year I'll be joining you :)" If only it stopped at a HT, there's to Sherman, WC21, WC23, WC37, WC62, Diamond T, and several jeeps, D2 Cat all to get fuel in..... I am still hunting for the bits to complete the Polsten, will likewise let you know if i find them 'first'.......

I don't have the sight and have lost touch with a chap who was going to lend me one as a pattern. If you are looking to have one manufactured, could you get two??? Ken

Forgot - a picture

We have one on these which i tow behind the half track, I agree that getting it off the carriage is hard work, and you do know when you've hit an incline... The whole thing though is very well balanced... Once you've got it 'up' it is not that difficult to move around by hand (two people) - although not for any distance. Ken

They are all still original petrol engined. It's getting painful, i'm taking those four vehicles and the Polsten to Elvington this weekend, 26 miles or so from where they are currently garaged, and bought £300 of fuel to make sure they will all get there and back. Can't wait to get the M4E9 on the road and then really burn some fuel off....... Normandy next year is going to be an expensive trip. Ken

Here's a picture of mine, just got it 'on' the road in the first picture. Second are pictures of it with it's garage pals before we went to Hull Veteran's weekend '07. Ken

Sunny and dry? We were flooded out at home for the second time in June. I would have happily moved the family in to the back of the Halftrack and the Dodge for a few months but they weren't having any of it. I get down that way with work sometimes, probably end of Jan is next trip. Would an evening visit be possible? Thanks Ken

Thankyou Rick W and ackack. Ackack, where are you based? I live near Leeds. If i could get a pattern for the missing parts of the sight assembly that would be great as I can get the parts made... Ken