Smithy

I can't yet see a time when the rising price bubble will burst in the military vehicle scene.

As someone who keeps a close eye on the market there haven't really been any 'ready to rally but can be kept at home' bargains to be had for a good six or seven years now.

That is purely my opinion of course as it all depends what you are looking for and what your budget is. 

Fantastic. Having followed this from the start it is great to see it finished. Hope to see it at an event some time this year. 

On 7/29/2023 at 9:37 PM, draganm said:

any information on this one? it was a static display at Militracks, Overloon this year

and according to the Shadock list it's owned by a private collector in Germany . Other than that no info, but at least we're up to 9 complete vehicles so far, and by complete i just mean hull, Turret, gun, suspension with wheels and at least some of the track present. Most of these are a mix-match of parts but that doesn't bother me

BTW, the Houffalize Panther Belgium got a desperately needed reprieve from rusting away into oblivion. A team i think in Germany called the Krings collection had a heck  of a time taking it apart and fixing the suspension so the vehicle sits correctly, but it's been preserved, painted, and placed in a new display with overhead awning so at least the Rain and snow won't get it to as much. Bravo to the brave guys who took this on

https://www.keymilitary.com/article/long-watch

more pics here you can scroll thru of the new memorial

https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/140/Panther-Tank-Houffalize.htm

The work on the Houffalize Panther was covered in a CMV magazine earlier this year, but it was just before it had all been completed. I like what they have done (although I guess it could be argued it doesn't represent the terrain in the archive images) and hopefully it ensures that it is saved for future generations. 

Just like the IWM experienced this week on Twitter/X - if something is indexed or catalogued incorrectly then the stated caption is likely to end up in print or online, with people taking it as gospel. 

Having worked in the industry myself I can vouch for captions not always being correctly labelled! And as others have said, there aren't always those of us with a military vehicle interest in the office. 

Can't believe it has been 10 years since that shoot. From memory it appeared at the Yorkshire Wartime Experience a couple of times and then I next spotted it for sale on Milweb about five/six years ago. 

I was later told that the Bren probably wouldn't have been part of the set-up. 

4 hours ago, Citroman said:

I only have seen one Gipsy in reality in the 1960's on the way to school. I thought what a strange land-rover.. 😉

You've mentioned the LR word, now you have to wash your mouth out 😉😄

KD I think I may have shared on article I penned a few years ago for CMV (with some help from Mike G and Steve A) about Army Gipsy's on the Facebook page. I'll have to dig it out again. 

Really great to meet you on Sunday, Seamus. 

The Fordson was looking fantastic and certainly made for the ideal arena transport for all of the group! 

Great work! Looks lovely. 

Another thread I've followed with great interest. Great work on getting to this point. Would be lovely to see some images of it (and hopefully see it in person at some point). 

Hopefully you can see this page: (1) Fairground Transport | In scrapyard to be cut up anyone recognise it | Facebook

Photo is from the Facebook post by Steve Mahon. Certainly looks salvageable. 

On 4/2/2023 at 2:45 PM, 67burwood said:

The timber work is almost finished 🍻🎉🍻 

I started this restoration blog 3 years ago yesterday, virtually every weekend, days off work and evenings something has been done to this wot6, it certainly isn’t a business model for making money 😁 done purely for the love of restoration and preserving history for the next generation.

I genuinely didn’t think it would take anywhere near this long, when I first started a family member said “ how long is it going to take, a year ? “
I laughed and said “ 6 months “ , how wrong was I !! But I’ve learned so much about fabrication, welding and paint spraying and if I wasn’t sure how to tackle a job members of this forum were always ready help and advise, I’d to thank everyone who has advised and supported this restoration over the last 3 years, it’s been very much appreciated 👍👍

 

Now we’re in the closing stages of this project, everything has so far gone to plan apart from a slight paint mixing issue but fingers crossed 🤞 a new paint mix to match the last batch should arrive next week, the last of the timber work has been fitted, the tailgate needs some minor adjustments and the drop down steps need fitting, other than that the hoops need cleaning and painting along with the tool boxes and rear mud guards.

 

 

Almost forgot, I’ve still got to make double Jerry can holders to mounts behind the rear mud guards.  

And it has been wonderful to follow this thread over those last three years - really great work! I must admit that whenever I spotted there had been a new post on your thread I always looked forward to seeing what it was. 

Hopefully I get to see it in person at a show this summer. 

Spotted a nice Land Rover 101 Forward Control Ambulance heading south on the M40 between Oxford and Wycombe on Thursday evening. Typically a lorry passed it just as I was trying to catch the reg! 

Thanks for resurrecting this thread. I can't recall reading it first time around. Does the vehicle still reside in the UK? Can't recall ever having seen it on the show scene. 

I'd third that, had to miss last year but went in 2021 - when it had been pushed back to September - for the first time.

An excellent show with a really great feel to it - like the W&P of old. We arrived just before 9am and I hear that the queues to get in after this were quite lengthy - but that shouldn't put you off from attending and for me a day at a show should be just that. 

I'd also add YWE to your list of must attend shows. A great event for the north of the UK which attracts people from all over it. 

Great new Martin, and thank you for sharing a link to your blog - really interesting to see the history behind your vehicles. 

On 12/15/2022 at 9:23 PM, Zero-Five-Two said:

One last post to bring the Tanker restoration to a close.

This is her departing to a new home.  She has been sold to a friend who will pamper to her every need, and keep her indoors in the warm and dry.  She will still get out and about to shows, mind, but only if the weather is nice.

 

So I don't get Militant withdrawal symptoms, I've just picked up this cheeky little number, which was looking for a bit of love and attention.  It's had some quite serious modifications over the years and will make an interesting blog, even if it is no longer in Deep Bronze Green

 

Like many others I have followed this thread with great interest over the years - quite the story and a wonderful restoration job. 

Look forward to reading more about your new project, I didn't realise there was more than one around in this guise. Here is a similar looking one which I first spotted in 2005 at The Great Dorset Steam Fair and which I think is still owned by Mike Gilbert. 

I did as well. 

Must admit though, after some early scepticism I'm quite enjoying it. Just finished episode 4 and feel committed now. 

I hear that there will be a second series and potentially up to two more after this according to what James Holland was reporting on his We Have Ways podcast. 

I'm going old school and watching it week by week 😄. I quite enjoyed episode two, there felt a bit more to it.

I was left feeling a little underwhelmed by the first episode, but then we must remember it is a dramatisation and not a documentary. 

Like others though the REO stood out. Strange that they went to all that effort to transport a decent number of Second World War vehicles to North Africa and then a post-war vehicle was just dropped in. 

Have followed this thread from the start and admired your work in getting it this far. I'm sure this little bump in the road will soon be sorted, given how you have cracked on with everything else. 

I'm sure that someone asked similar on one of the Facebook groups (may have been this one: https://www.facebook.com/groups/859603390775800/) recently and Stuart confirmed that most were still undergoing restoration or had been completed. 

Hats off to everyone getting vehicles out and about at the moment with the costs involved, but an even bigger nod to those with the wonderful loads mentioned above. 

Unfortunately had to miss Capel this year (Covid) but managed to go last year for the first time and was really impressed. It looks like an even larger turnout this year. Can't wait to return and catch-up with friends here in 2023. 

I was fortunate enough to be given a complete set, minus the final copy which the previous owner loaned someone but never got it back, about five years ago now. I've been on the lookout for that final copy for a decent price but no luck quite yet. 

It is interesting what people say about pictures. Personally I've always learned more by looking at an image and taking in what that tells you. For example, what insignia is a vehicle carrying, what is in the background etc. I suppose it shows that everyone is different. 

I liked the Dinky Toy analogy mentioned earlier in this thread in relation to the price of a mint set of W&T. 

Scott

5 hours ago, .303fan said:

Is the show cancelling those that oppose their views? Two screenshots, from both my Facebook accounts. Awww how sad. 

I noticed earlier today that comments have been restricted (either turned off altogether or just a selected few people) on the Facebook page. 

Always good to see progress on any projects. So please do fire away DT guy.