Baz48

Went to-day met one unhelpful feller at booking in full of his self importance and totally devoid of reasoning every other member of the team a pleasant surprise helpful considerate and polite. If it works a few photos of the show which I think is chaotic in layout fewer stall but most of the usual suspects with a few exceptions -

Going off topic a little you are posing a new question in what constitutes a restoration. Purely my interpretation in broad terms are retaining as much of the original as possible. Using like for like new old stock if possible, replacement/repaired body panels of the same as original material and method of fixing, or if totally as was in service conserve rather than restore. Do the best you can with what you have after all conserving a shrinking piece of history for whatever drives you finical gain or personal satisfaction offering something purporting to be something it is not well that’s not for me. Regarding census numbers on vehicle anyone with access to a Chilwell list you can chose any number you like from 1 to 62777385 a valid contract number stamped plate a nod in the right direction. I reiterate the vehicle at the head of this post as I have said several times looks good and one I would show more than a passing interest in if I were to see it at a show

Is the vehicle correct for the period its depicting the census number indicates its from batch 4474335 to 4475035 allocated to contract V.3903 Austin Lorry 30-cwt 4x2 G.S and not from a block of census numbers issued to Middle East Command and applied in theater as was usual. Undoubtedly it looks a good restoration as I have said before to me and it's my opinion the vehicle is post the date depicted. Regardless of anything else what it makes will only reflect what the byer is prepared to pay but I believe strongly in portraying vehicles as they were when in service. And yes I know the cost of restoring vehicles both my own those I have done for my friends and yes those I have assisted with in museums for more years than I care to count

One topic that comes up fairly regularly whoever ‘s running W&P are the few unfriendly/unhelpful/downright rude individuals with a badge supposedly giving them authority over what everyone else are permitted to do/access while on site. It always occurs following the show post on social media bemoaning various encounters with said individuals. Often nothing can be done the organisers are oblivious possibly by choice and uncaring by design or am I being harsh to deal with such minor indignities perceived by the paying exhibitor/trader/mum dad gran and granddad plus two point five children. What can be done engage in verbal fisticuffs’ is one but that tends to leave me annoyed I allowed it to degenerate to their level. One way I have found when confronted by someone whose standpoint I disagree with or find illogical devoid of reason especially if they can’t justify by explanation of regulations applicable to the point of contention is to take my phone and tell them I am recording them and as a safeguard photographing them for there and my personal safety, result issue magically despairs and sanity reigns

Yes it's up for sale - what a surprise - no indication of price – sorry if I appear cynical I’m curious - was it restored to use and enjoy or a means to an end - it looks a very good restoration with a very precise paint job was this chosen as a lure to get attention and bring in the bidders -I can't find any photo evidence of Austin K30's (open or closed cab) used in the desert at that time - but I would love to see a genuine photo of one there at the time in the colours portrayed on this vehicle – the I.W.M film of vehicles being painted in the above camouflage is titled ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS IN NORTH AFRICA and runs for seven min’s or so it can be found on the I.W.M website – worth watching as it includes Bedford Aero Screen MW’s Morris Commercials armoured cars RR and Humber – overall sand/light stone sprayed over what appears UK spec colour all painted outside – camouflage applied inside a warehouse using what appear to be normal domestic 3 or 4-inch brushes without any masking whatsoever – all by eye – take a look and enjoy

Certainly looks very crisp with an interesting choice of camouflage sure to draw a lot of comments. Is it a K30/YK (30-cwt closed cab type) or K2 (2-ton type) K30/YK Bridging Classification is given as 4 while an Austin Tilt (Type not specified?) Bridging Classification is given as 6. K2 Ambulance is also given as 4. The scheme I think used Summer 40 to October 41 often seen on CMP 11&12-Cab vehicles used in the Middle East. October 41. Has the owner any family connection to the colour choice.

Correct I have just been through the mill regarding keeping my minibus and other entitlements H-licence ect now I have reached seventy. It only took 3-1/2 months and eleven phone calls to DVLA so I may continue driving minibuses on a voluntary basis for the benefit of others at my local authority. it also means I can enjoy driving friends QL and OY or the International or Fordson sadly I don't have my 432 anymore but if I had I'd enjoy taking it shopping at Tesco as I did in the past

Thanks for that

Looking very nice look forward to seeing it out and about

Hi just a question on valuing an original Ford Jeep tub wartime repaired but requiring additional work sorry unable to give build date and 4 combat wheels I believe with tyres any assistance asto what would be a reasonable offer to make for such items. I know I can get good repro local to me and the cost so any assistance would be appreciated

When the Land Warfare Hall was first mentioned one of the proposals was a half height T-2 hangar put up on North Side to the East of the Warders Store running north with a running area along the fence line of the back of the officers housing - that would have gone down well

My point being the Land Warfare Hall is going, the application is in for the sites redevelopment at the westerend . The building proposed is interesting in size and layout and will certainly provide conservation and storage area the museum desperately need but at what cost. The LWH when originally built cost one million when extended another one point five million plus work on the roof building the running area and reprofileing that area will now be written off. Yes there is no running area I suspect because of the impracticability of using such an area for parking cars during air-days. Interesting times

Planning application S/1563/18/FL covers the erection of a new conservation and large object storage facility at IWM-Duxford I believe along the line of the long plantation once the Land Warfare Hall demolition. At the moment this application is out for consultation. In a recent article apparently 60-percent of vehicles are privately owned and will leave site. I understand the vehicle section of DAS no longer has a committee and is administered by a paid employee who is new inpost with enthusiasm but little in the way of knowledge of military vehicles. interesting times

I had many happy hours in various D-series

The Hippo on the trailer appears to have twin rear wheels of the Mk-IIA 10.50-22 on the front and 36x8 dual rear inplace of the 13.50-20 alround of the Mk-II illustrated by the bottom photo

It's looking good

I probably have other photos of the Beaverette some I think as it was being restored by its owner Dave Bygraves in the MT-yard Duxford. When I get a moment I will have a sort through. From memory it was found as shown in a derelict state by Dave near Henlow Bedfordshire and brought to Duxford around 74. After the mechanicals were sorted the missing top to the hull was constructed and welded on, all vision flaps made and fitted. The turret, seat and gun mount donated I think from Holland but that’s only my memory. I have driven it a couple of times best described as interesting. While Cyril Groombridge’s name is familiar he did not own the vehicle when it arrived at Duxford that was as mentioned my friend Dave Bygraves and his mate Eddie Betts. The Chilwell list is to give it its full title = Allocation by Central Census Tank and Vehicles of “B” Vehicles W.D. Numbers first edition Royal Army Ordnance Corps Central Ordnance Depot, Chilwell (Hence it known as the Chilwell list) inside the front cover = Schedule of allocations of W.D. numbers to “B” vehicles Chilwell 23 Nov 44. There are additions to this list passed the date shown on the cover and included in the list I had (lent and not returned) I have subsequently been loan a list to copy digitally for my own use

I have seen the above photo a few times and unlike the one the IWM have this one appears to be constructed out of one single plate for the hull side’s not but welded sections of the one at Duxford. Out of interest there are six entries in the Chilwell list M.4310618 onwards covering Standard Car 4x2 Armoured Mk.1. Mk.II. Mk.III, and Mk.IV

The IWM Beaverette before and after

Until this thread I didn't know of a Fordson WOT-1 tanker and so far the only reference I have found to a Fordson WOT-1 as a tanker is in training pamphlet to do with rafting and bridging published 1944 in the section RAF vehicles saying Fordson WOT1, 6x4 Petrol 1,000-gal but no equivalent under Army. As the pamphlet is April 1944 listing bridge classifications of vehicles other than "A" vehicles and mechanical equipment it gives a fairly comprehensive listing of vehicle makes, types and their use along with trailer manufacturas types and use for both the Army and RAF. I know Bedford QL 950 and 1,000-gal tankers accompanied the 2-nd Tac Air Force so possibly did the WOT-1 tanker support the vehicle logistical side of the Air Force post D-Day as in the photos I can't see any pump gear.

Had a similar issue fitting 10-50 x 16's for a friends Bedford OY just couldn't get the bead onto the rim the internal diameter of the tyre at the bead appeared smaller than the O/D of the rim. I had heard of trimming the bead with a knife or grinder!!!!! but thought that a little drastic at best and possibly damaging the integrity of the tyre. The way we achieved the fit without any mod's was to remove all the paint the owner had liberally applied around the inner faces of the wheel discs to reduce friction (having changed a few British wartime wheels and tyres in the past I do not recall the inner discs of the wheel being painted in anything other than occasionally a very thin coat of red primer) remove all scale and debris from the wheel halves and both sides of the gaiter if used. Slip the inner tube into the tyre then the gaiter and slightly very slightly inflates the tube with the valve removed just to settle the tube in the tyre and deflate. We used a metal stool to support the wheel disc above the ground so the full weight of the tyre is acting on the wheel disc. A-lined the second wheel disc onto the tyre then using three large diameter bolts through from the bottom wheel disc to the top wheel disc tighten the nuts on the bolts a half turn at a time pulling one wheel disc down onto the other while using copious quantities of tyre soap and washing up liquid as a lubricant. Ensuring the gaiter is centred at all times avoiding trapping it in between the disks. As soon as three of more full threads of the outer wheel studs are showing through the wheel disc finger fit the outer ring of wheel nuts and progressively tighten. Remove the three bolts carefully inflate the tyre and fit – if anything this is just a thought

As said it's looking good, I'm curious how did a Gaz-69 come to be in Iceland

Looks good how long has it taken you

Piggy-back in place of towing maybe due to narrow track of trailer with a high centre of gravity equals unstable tow on roads as shown in photo's - just a guess and a little experience of gensets

Land Warfare Hall IWM Duxford