Smithy

Unfortunately and rather strangely in my view there was no plan to preserve it. It's just simply been covered over again with the soil and earth which they dug out. Bit strange I know but apparently it wouldn't survive out in the open apparently, although I'd have thought these days there would have been enough interest to keep the site open and cover it somehow. They are going to build a replica model from the pictures they have taken and place it on Marquis Drive where there is a replica WW1 Hut.

These set of pictures are from a second visit. You can really see how much the volunteers uncovered in the space of a couple of weeks. A panoramic shot of the area to finish with. Scott

Throughout the month of September we were fortunate enough in the Cannock Chase area to have a major archeological excavation take place on our doorstep. Operation Kiwi was aimed at uncovering and recording a terrain model of the Messines Ridge in Belgium built by the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. The project took place from 7th September until the end of month after being extended by two days after the initial dig discovered much more than they could have ever thought to uncover. However due to fragile nature of the model it was decided at the start that once it had been uncovered, photos were to be taken to build a replica 3D model and then the original would be covered over again. Below are more details on the Battle for Messines, about the dig and also a picture from the first few days. More to follow. Scott

Some cracking information provided so far, I knew someone on here would have the answer :-D Scott

Ok you guys are usually pretty good at these things. I've just returned from a few days in France following in the footsteps of the BEF around the Lille and Dunkirk area. Anyway whilst in Dunkirk we visited the very good Memorial du Souvenir which covers the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo. Inside the museum there is a section which now contains a wreck of a vehicle recovered in 2009 after being found on Bray-Dunes. It is believed that the wreck is one of the trucks which were used to build up the temporary jetties in May/June 1940. Now can anyone identify it from the following photos I took? Obviously a good chance it could be a Morris Commercial or Bedford MW. However with the number of different vehicles that were around at the time it could be anything. On the plaque it says that the tyres are made in England along with the battery and it has a six cylinder engine. However if anyone can identify it then I'm sure you lot can! Scott

A couple of reduction sales in the coming weeks that may be of interest as they both contain some ex-military equipment. Lots 100 & 101 look interesting http://www.hjpugh.com/tractorsales/120913catalogue.pdf A few different items are mentioned here: http://www.tsauction.co.uk/wp-content/files_mf/137847916990370JohnMouldAuctionCatalogue2013PROOF.pdf Scott

Thanks for the pictures, more would be appreciated! First time I've missed GDSF for over ten years, however other commitments meant that we couldn't fit it in. It seems like things were moved around a little this year and I did hear that the layout was going to be different. Whilst it also mentioned on Steam Fair FM that things had moved around this year.

I don't know how many of you know but at one point there were plans to create a National Fire Service Museum at Weedon in Northamptonshire. Anyway for one reason and another it has never been opened to the public, despite this they have collected a vast number of appliances and other items. Many have sat outside for nearly a decade so aren't in the best of conditions, some though have been stored inside, although sadly as stated before many haven't and as such have nearly been lost. Now though it seems that the dream is over as on Saturday 31st August items are being put up for disposal. Viewing and bidding takes place on Saturday with bids being opened on Monday 2nd September. Why am I telling you this? Well there are a number of items which will no doubt be of interest to members on here with there being appliances from the wartime age being put up for disposal. They include: 1. Austin K4 Escape Carrier: Cornwall FB: GXA 725 2. Austin k4 Pump: Cornwall County FB: MCV 917 3. Austin K2 ATV with trailer pump NFS: GXH 962 4. Bedford MW: Specialist Metals Appliance: UKAEA Aldermaston: RMO 273 There are a total of 18 lots for sale as well as other items of interest. Now I have no connection to museum or any of the vehicles in question I just felt that it would be interesting for all on here to take a look at. I have attached a couple of items which should explain things further for those interested. Scott fsnmtviewingday.pdf vehicle_disposal_list_for_leaflet.doc

Any pictures floating around? Scott

Have you got a registration you could give us? A book published a couple of years ago all about Matador's lists quite a few survivors.

A Sterling 15 Tonne Crane Truck which was originally built for the US Navy. Pictures to follow later once I've uploaded them. Scott

A change of plan for this weekend (due to Austin Gipsy problems, but that's another story!) means I can attend Damyns Hall tomorrow. Really looking forward to the show as was impressed with my first visit last year. With the added bonus of flying aircraft and good weather it should be a cracker. Just checking out the website and was wondering does anyone know if all the aircraft listed will fly tomorrow or are some only in attendance on certain days? Scott

That looks like an AFS Commer Q4 to me in the background.

Was certainly good to see it in the flesh and also running around the arena. A fantastic job by all. A few pictures of mine below: HMVF shot Scott

Nice to meet you Guy and the QL looked as good as I expected! A few more pictures for you below. Wonder who took the last picture in your last post Scott

Yes it was, that is still about I believe as the photo I uploaded was taken back in 2010. It was the rear mudguards which drew me towards that type of Hippo. Scott

I couldn't quite see that from the photos. I was working from the rear mudguards which are the same as the photo I posted, whilst mobile crane carried a flat base I believe. Whatever variant it is I'd say it's worth saving. Scott

I reckon it's a Leyland Hippo 19H-FC just like the one in the picture below. Well worth saving if it is as I know of only the one below that is currently in preservation. Scott

Thanks for the pictures Mark. The person with the Daimler is a I believe a forum member as he is restoring a Morris Quad: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?27538-Mk3-Morris-Quad-C8-No-5-Body-restoration Scott

Certainly not the case re photos, keep them coming as always good to see pictures of vehicles from around the world. Scott

Thanks for posting the pictures up David as someone who never got chance to visit this place they are really interesting. Scott

Just seen this on Facebook: Hope everyone is ok involved. Pioneer doesn't look too good. Scott

Amazing to see that they are still out there just sitting around, thanks for posting. Scott

I wonder if it was the Hurricane replica I saw on the trailer then. Little hard to distinguish when both going in opposite directions.

Diet Coke ok? :cool2: Of course. The Gipsy will handle that I should imagine, however it might be a bit too nice for off roading