Eugene

Nah! You're okay! -Roger.

Hooray! I won one! Do I get a prize? (I know, in heaven!) Cheers, -Roger.

I see that the connector has a line around the middle -they're usually smooth. Is it a fuse holder? Did the fuse blow or fall out? Incidentally, the MOD headlights I fitted to my Rover 1 have the same connections, but the wires are colour coded. -Roger.

Looks OK to me, or do you mean availability? I haven't had to replace any, but have spares off a generator trailer. I would imagine somebody like Roy Elvis would stock them. Regards, -Roger.

Possibly, the guy with the display did suggest that it could've been the name of a vehicle. But plants and flowers? not very butch!

Here's an oddity. It's a 1945 dated can with traces of WD green paint on it. It has the word "Samphire" stencilled on both sides in white. The top is flat, so probably a water can. I "googled" Samphire and (not being Percy Thrower!) found it to be an edible plant. Why this would be on a can I can't imagine. It was being used as the expansion tank on a Vickers MG as part of the display of weapons at the Kemble Show last weekend. The owner, a lovely chap who I have seen with this display since the days of Southsea, could not enlighten me. Any ideas? -Roger.

Yes please! -Roger.

This is for "Aviation Spirit" -it should be embossed on it, unless it's a rare variant: Of note is the one on the left which has been impressed into service for Pool Petrol -the wartime grade fuel -I won't be repainting that one! -Roger.

I renewed my insurance (no recovery policy) with them over the 'phone just a few days ago. No mention of anything different -same insurer, KGM. The renewal letter (dated 17th June 2008) had "Roadsure" as the header. -Roger.

Very nice! If you'd like to PM me with details I'd be interested. Dad's garage was a B.P. one -probably has a lot to answer for, even though it was before my time (just)! -Roger.

Here's some late Great War period cans from my collection: The can with a Shell logo has had a WWI handle grafted (soldered) on to it. Unlike Second World War and later cans they have the broad arrow/ crow's foot and date stamped into the handle rather than embossed on the top: Further to some of the previous comments, the colour of cans is a matter of much debate. The commercial ones came in a multitude of colours, dependant on the brand. However, there were refurbishment programs where cans would be repaired and dipped in (usually red) paint. Military cans were khaki/ green/ black/ white, etc. as stated. In theory, fuel ones were stamped "PETROLEUM SPIRIT HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE" (this, and their capacity, makes them still legally useable for petrol today-unlike Jerry cans!) and the water/ lubricant ones were blank. However, logistical demands meant that the right can wasn't always available -my uncle also had to endure foul-tasting water from cans previously used for petrol during the Second World War. Valor is a common make, but others include Feaver and FF&S. Incidentally, Canadian cans (with the lip on top -this is also found on early Pratts/ Anglo-American cans) more often than not seem to have alloy rather than brass caps. Could go on and on -I collect two-gallon cans (or "Toucans" or "POW" -Petrol, Oil, Water- cans). I have over a hundred, about forty of which are military, the rest all different brands. Depending on the logo, and condition, values range from a couple of quid to several hundred pounds for rare ones -this also applies to the lids. Sorry, but yours -though nice- are at the lower end of the scale! -Roger.

Thank you. PM me with the details (price, address, etc.) please and we'll take it from there. -Roger.

Hi Tony, as yet I've not done anything more than fiddle with them a bit. Thanks for the offer of spares. The only things I'm aware are missing (as you can see) are the air filter and a proper suppressed plug cap for the Canadian one. Any joy? Regards, -Roger.

Hi, I think we may be barking up the wrong tree, as the guy in Windscreen is called Dennis, not Les, and these engines are 300w, not 80w. If it were the former, I too have one of each (see below) both -as yet- unrestored. The BSA works fine, the Canadian one spins over on the battery but won't start. I downloaded the manual but found that some of the pages are missing. Reprinted manuals are available (again, see below) from Rob van Meel in Holland, he advertises on Milweb. His e-mail address is: rvan.meel@wanadoo.nl

Hi all, took the Jeep (1942 Ford GPW) out as I often do on this special date for a spin around Newquay. Won't be taking it to work, though, as a) it wouldn't be insured and b) I don't finish until late and don't want to risk another night in a lay-by (coil went last year, no spare -have now!-, took the "4th emergency service" 6 hours to come and recover me.) The picture is of the Jeep, this morning, at Newquay's War Memorial. Of note is the recently added plaque commemorating one of the service personnel killed in the Nimrod crash in Afghanistan, 2006. -Roger.

If you want some inspiration here's some real ones I photographed earlier this year at the Imperial War Museum, London.

There's also a guy in the cantina plainly wearing a British service respirator! and the blasters are modified Mauser "broom handles".

They also substituted Austin K2 ambulances (see the original "Memphis Belle" documentary) with Dodge WC54s -it's funny how they replaced all the British kit with American!

Apparently, there's a Robin Reliant in "The Eagle Has Landed" but I can't find it. Has anybody seen it, or is it an urban myth?

Thanks Andy, yes, no post-war/ wartime or two-wheel/ four wheel snobbery here! Anything used by the military, any military, is of interest and should be preserved and shown off.

Yes, that place has a lot to answer for!It was at Lamanva, near Constantine, Falmouth. The German trucks (there was a couple) from "Raiders" were actually modified "airborne" GMCs (shame!) the Shermans were made out of wood and fibre-glass mounted on (possibly "lightweight") Land-Rovers, these and the replica Horsa were made for "A Bridge Too Far". The latter is now at Preston Isaac's museum at Cobbaton, North Devon. I think the DUKW is still in Cornwall, along with the one that used to be at St Micheal's Mount. The museum contents were auctioned in 1993, after being run for a few years by a local theme park (Flambards near Helson) following Charlie's death. Some of the vehicles are still owned and exhibited locally.

Now I AM worried!

Yes, I'm fine thanks Andy. Thanks for the welcome Mark. Ah, now I know what the HMCF is! But what axe? Still waiting for that bike pump, but you won't catch me in lycra though......

Thanks all for the welcomes! Toys? I'm afraid it's a bit of an eclectic mix, but here goes. WWII ex-RAF Phillips bicycle, BSA parabike, 1942 Ford GPW Jeep with British "airborne" and US trailers, c.1956 Mark IV Brockhouse Corgi (most likely not military), ex-RAF Old Sarum 1969 Series IIA airportable Land-Rover (Rover 1) and a 1978 ex-RN Piaggio Vespa 150 Super motor scooter. There it is, as long as it's ex-military, I'm interested. As for you, Andy, don't worry, I've got your number! (If you haven't guessed, it's Roger -but don't tell anyone!) Regards to Trish.

Thanks Jack,there's already pictures of my three main vehicles in the gallery!