Big Al

This a statement from the National Rifle Assocation on this subject

Please read

Al

EU Directive on Firearms Control - Have Your Say

I would urge all NRA members to register your concerns and provide feedback to the European Commission on their proposals for further firearms control - follow

The key points you may wish to register include:-

Restrictions on semi-automatic rifles

In the UK .22 rim-fire rifles and semi-automatic shotguns are used by tens of thousands of shooters for target shooting and essential pest control. Large calibre semi-automatic rifles are already prohibited in the UK; there is no rational benefit to public safety from prohibiting small calibre rifles and semi-automatic shotguns. The proposals to ban "semi-automatic firearms for civilian use which resemble weapons with automatic mechanisms" is illogical - a great deal of confusion will result by attempting to legislate against form rather than function.

Distracting Scarce Law Enforcement Resources

There is virtually no link between legally held firearms and those used with illegal / evil intent. The EU proposals threaten diverting scarce law enforcement resources away from the real risk areas to harassing hundreds of thousands of law abiding shooters, collectors and traders across the EU from their safe and responsible activities.

The proposals include greater restrictions on Firearms Collectors - collecting firearms is a passion enjoyed by many and there is no published evidence that demonstrates the need for greater restrictions - it is iniquitous to legislate merely on the possibility that collecting might cause a problem; and a ban on possession of deactivated fully automatic firearms by other than authorised museums - it is estimated that 230,000 firearms have been deactivated in the UK since 1988; they are non-functional and non-lethal and thus unlicensed - to confiscate them would demand substantial police resources and lead to substantial compensation claims payable by the British Government.

There are additional unnecessary proposals for Firearms Certificates to be limited to a maximum five years duration (rather than a more sensible ten); sound moderators to be controlled as an "essential component" (moderators are widely used in stalking and vermin control and restrictions on them should be relaxed, not increased); registration of deactivated firearms (harmless items, the numbers and locations of which are unknown); and ban / restriction of disguised firearms (mainly Victorian walking stick shotguns, for which there is no record of criminal misuse).

Andrew Mercer

Group Chief Executive & Secretary General

I do hope the new show owner answers the questions being rasied quickly. I would like to think they are montoring comments on all forums to help them. Rex's fairwell speech I think he said he was handing it over to a person who had the same passion has himself for the show.

Al

Have I got this right I normal support a group who have a number of vehicals who will need to pay transport costs on top of the below

£30 to park in support car park

£30 to have entry to show

£10 Toilet leavy

£70 in total just to help support just for myself there is normal 10 of us!

Al

Yes it was very busy by the look of it. Good to meet so many friends.

Al

That will be a nice project

Al

Im planning to be there

Al

A model manufacturer is in the process of producing a new 1/35th kit of the Chieftain Mk.10, and they are giving details of the development on their website

 

One of the tanks they have measured is said to be in Beijing, you will see from first photo on the link, it features the 'white wall' tyres common on PLA display vehicles.

 

My question is how did a Chieftain get to China? I'm guessing from Iran or Iraq, both of which use Chinese equipment, but have no real idea.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

jh

Ops it could be a copy there good at that !!!!! well not that good

There's a gun tank at Bovvy in good order, but I don't know if it's in running order.

Yes there is a gun tank at bovy but sadly its not a runner but I belive it is all there

Al

morning al

not really sure, I plan on getting down on Tuesday but that depends on the tank, we are pulling the gearbox today and fitting new seals and hydraulic lines and maybe the engine after that so it's up to the spanner gods whether it's ready in time to go down early in the week but i'm hopeful we can get it done and running well this year !

 

rick

Ok we will see you when you arrive were in the same spot as last year the valitine is going down this sunday with the ferret and dingo. Don't forget your the tea boy !

Al

I am planning to go down on the Saturday 18th and start to set up the valitine and one of the ferrets will be arriving on the sunday with the rest arriving during the week when will you be down Rick?

Al

Enjoyed the show it was the first year we came with the valentine and ferret the storm at the end on sunday bought things to end quickly manged to get loaded and away by 1900hrs didnt have time to look around the all show but what I see was great.

Al

Hi Alec,

Thats not a problem, pm sent with entry numbers to quote.

Popping over to day as a few vehicles arriving today & tomorrow having been to Wicksteed.

cheers

Paul

Thanks Paul busy time for you seen PM thanks again

Al

Paul

John Pearson will be arriving late on Friday night with the low loader. I will be arriving on Friday afternoon ( Traveling from a different part of the country) have no entry details from John will it still be ok the book in ?

Alec James

i'll be there again Al, you might even get a brew out of me this time round

That will be a first :cheesy:

Look forward to seeing you we will be there all week.

Al

it's the time of year to bring the Cromwell out of hibernation and start getting it ready for the show season. my first task is to get to the bottom of the poor running issue. the tank will run great then cough and splutter and then pick up again after 30 seconds of idling which would suggest fuel starvation. I will check the filter but want to get the fuel pumps reconditioned anyway and Viton rubber replacements for the diaphragm. so with that in mind does anyone know where I can send the pumps off to be worked on.

 

once the engine is running alright I will look at changing the gearbox output seals and maybe some new hydraulic lines, I want a trouble free show season. if that's possible !

 

rick

Hi rick if your intrested were in the same spot has last year at W&P :cool2::cool2:

Al

Pardon me if this has been covered elsewhere but I recently found an old copy of Classic Military Vehicle magazine issue 142 March 2013 which has an excellent article about John Pearson restoring a 'loaned' Churchill. I was just wondering if there has been any progress reported since this article?

Graham, I help John with his collection the Churchill has had some work on it a good clean out and some paint chiping, the front idlers adjusters have been freed up hatchs freed.We have tried to free the turret we need to move the turrent to remove the engine It is a major task to get it into a running state again. We have a few restorations going on as well A ferret, Dingo and the Valintine DD which has had some internal restoreation completed with fitting of original fittings recently donated

Al

yes I have a 7x9 which is good for one plenty of room but two I find its a bit cramped for small shows 1 or 2 days. On the big shows 4 or more days I have a 4 man civvy tent plenty room and comfort.

Al

John Pearson and myself will be there with the Valintine DD and a Ferret plus other items hopefully.

Al

All

 

Have bought a Sherman Firefly for restoration... VC variant (M4A4 Hull)

 

I do not plan to post any photos until things get going as at present it's just a big pile of rusty parts which barely resemble a tank.

 

Does anyone here have a Sherman Firefly manual of any description in any language which they'd be happy to let me have/buy a scanned copy of please?

 

Anything is great, but am specifically interested in the 17pdr gun system.

 

Many thanks

 

Tim

Send John Pearson who is on here a message he has a lot of manuals he may be able to help you.

Big Al

I will be there looking forward to meeting up with friends

Ref your intrest in what amour unit was with the glosters try contacting the Tank museum at bovington they would have a lot of information there. Another scource would to request to have a copy or look at the units diary for the time period you are intrested in.

Al

The same in my company the fire alarms sound at 11 then at 1102 all work stops

Al

Nice

John Pearson who is on here has restored one im sure if you want any information or guidance he would be more than happy to help.

Al

Tim thank you for posting those. In general I have no particular interest in steam as so often seen in terms of showman's engines, but to see these vehicles steaming of to war as it were complete with their crews in uniform I found deeply moving. Thank you.

I too found it deeply moving Clive it was a great mark of respect. It did cause major transport disruption in the area but what a sight to see :-) I am sure most car drivers would understand its not offten you see things like that on the road.

Al

One thing that makes me smile is with armour the public cannot help but tap it with there hands!

Al