Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
“PRESERVING YESTERDAY’S
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW’
A U ST R A LI A N E X-MI LI T AR Y V EHI C LE CO L L EC T OR S S O CI ET Y I NC .
“Rough tracks”
Ready to topple…. Ferret in a little bit of a jam! Picture courtesy of Bill Sjoblom.
also needed as the RAAF specifically invited the AM VCS. For further information
contact John Oldenmenger (President).
Springw ood Vietnam veterans day march. Picture courtesy of the editor (Brett Nicholls).
Page 2 A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS”
2 00 9/ 201 0 I SSUE 1 2 Page 3
1234XY
#########
Page 6 A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS”
Examples of pictures needed for historic consesional registration from country members. Note
the JP’s intitials on the pictures.
A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS” Page 7
I decided I would drive the vehicle back from…… Lightning Ridge. Seemed like a good idea, lots of straight road, and
no problems I figured. It would be a straight Bus up & drive back… Then I realised that it was about 9 hours drive one way at
100km/h. Imaging how long it would take at 50Km/h. Where’s your sense of adventure I hear you ask???
After some thought I decided to have the Landrover freighted from the Ridge to Liverpool via two freight companies. I was a little
dubious of this but knowing that I had seen many vehicles on semis over the years I didn’t see any large problems.
Arrangements were made & the two connecting truck companies were negociat ed. Time, dates and weights. The Land Rover would
end up at Liverpool and I would retrieve it with a car trailer.
I had everything planeed fai rly well, and decided I would take a winch in the event it wouldn’t start. Seemed like a fair idea, as I really
didn’t know what I was buying. (hindsight is a wonderful thing, but honesty was a major part of it). Anyways things seemed to be
going ok, when I got a call from the second leg trucking company who informed me that the propshaft was bent. By a zealous forklift
driver in Lightninig Ridge. Ahh well, not that I could do much. I said well just laod it as it is!
I got a phone call on the Thursday and had the trailer booked for recovery. I drove to Liverpool to retrieve the old fellow. It was sit-
ting in a large warehous e at the back, but looked much bigger than I had imagined with a full length roof rack and some odd tyres, flak-
ing old paint, and a wooden block on the seat frame for a make do seat!
Page 8 A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS”
I attempted to start it, but to no available. I was assisted by depot staff to get the land rover lined up with the trailer and com-
menced winching. I was very glad I had taken a winch. The recovery was going ok. Now loaded, to my dismay, I noticed two of the car
trailer tyres were almost on the rims!!! I had forgotten to check the pressures (hire trailer) and it was used to towing a car, not a Land Rover
chock a block full of spares and a second engine gearbox etc.
I had a slow drive through to Narellan where I managed to find a service station I could drive into with a car trailer on, and pump up the
light truck tyres to a respectable 40PSI. Suddenly I had the ability to move, turn and roll.
After a quick lunch, I set out to return home. Almost an eventless journey, but as happens everytime I use a car trailer it rained.
I arrived home at around 4:00pm. Enough was enough.
Next day I unloaded, and pressure washed the whole thing, removing in a conservative amount perhaps 20-30 KG of red mud under guards,
in the cabin, and under the seats. The rust was minor and I was quietly pleased. I let it dry off and refl ected on my purchase. For the
money it seemed ok. Data plates intact, everything seemed to be there by & large, so I figured it wasn’t a big job for resurrection….
At the same time….
My resourceful son was clearly in the know with my local scrap metal dealer, he had procured many parts at scrap cost to run his small car.
I began to wonder when this would end, and was he being financially exploited. I gained some insight into this case when I was informed
by my sone that a gearbox was around $40 or its weight as scrap. This was when metal was fetching $250 a tonne.
I began to take an interest in the scrap metal dealers and ventured to one of the three in Nowra. I observed a very large pile of t wisted
metal, engines and timber. Looking closer I realised I was seeing was several Dodges (AB160’s) and two Chev Blitz chassis.
I asked the owner what had transpired and he rem arked that they had ‘cleaned out a sawmill down the coast’ Some 20 or so blitz’s had
made the journey to Port Kembla steelworks over the past month. Some engines had been claimed by Hot rodder’s but the majority of steel
was long gone.
A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS” Page 9
I sighed a big sigh, and turned to scrutinise the pile. Not one part was straight or untwisted, most of the parts were be-
yond the scope of even the work of the most skilled metal basher. I did notice a nice gear knob on a truck and salvaged it at no cost!
I jumped back into my Nissan Patrol & drove away. Still wondering where my son was obtaining the plentiful booty of spares support.
On the way home I noticed another scrap yard and a 25 metre high pile of cars about an acre in size. AHHH!
That was the end of it until….
My Son came home one day and says: Hey dad, there’s a Jeep at the Scrappy’s & he wants you to look at it.
My heart jumped. I was chuffed. I was excited, I was keen to look. But it was well past 5:30 on a weeknight so I could only visit the
yard the next day. I was shown a blurry mobile phone photo which was no good to me. It looked about the right size and resembled a
CJ5. (Things were looking up!).
I hardly slept all night, already dreaming I was going to own a Jeep. At last! And saved from the scrap to boot!
Next day I duly arrived at the scrappy’s. First introductions went well, and I was surprised that my sone was on first name basis with
the man. I explained that I had received the news. Donning workboots (the mud in the yard pales even the most hardened war veterans
and resembles a landscape not unlike that portrayed in Sir Frank Hurley’s photographs of WWI.
I was ushered ‘out the back of the large sorting shed, where I was presented with two Series Land rovers. One a Series II and the other
a Series IIA. The II was largely intact but had suffered slightly at the arms of a forkli ft. It was clearly dark bronze green under a
lighter shade, and I figured the risk outweighed the loss. With a quick exchange of cash I was the humble owner of two series Land
Rovers.
Delivery was late in the week. My front lawn was now strewn with two rovers. One was sporting dead flat tyres, a myriad of scrap in
the tub, and the other had been disemboweled its varous parts, but the engine & gearbox remained, along with a Fairy winch.
I did some enquiries as to the serial number of the complete series II which was in excellent condition for its age. I was informed that
my purchase was not an ex-army Landrover. After salvaging the winch and a lot of parts from the series IIA which was also a civilian
vehicle, As I was new to the game I only took some useful parts and left the rest. I quickly made the decision to sell it on and found a
new owner within 3 days.
After the stripping and disposal of these Rovers, I was contacted again by my local scrappy. He had taken possession of another vehi-
cle (in this case a 109” General Service Landrover.) missing its engine with fork lift tyne customisation and sporting a few extra parts
in the back. I exchanged more money and it duly appeared on my lawn.
This vehicle/Christmas tree has been very helpful in bringing my GS panel (Bradley) to life. Parts included, dash switches, door han-
dles, hand brake handle, station wagon parts (fitted aft er service), Tac holders, bonnet catches, wiper motors, windscreens, wheel nuts,
all wonder of small parts and screws. Sadly its not economical to repair, and will be eventually stripped totally to support another pro-
ject which I have already acquired.
Some 14 months later I have achieved success !
Page 10 A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS”
After a test drive it appears I have donemost things correctly, I have had to adjust the rear brake shoes but everything seems to be ok
otherwise.
I look forward to attempting to make club runs noting I have to drive at 65Km/h it makes for a fairly slow journey, but then again, I
might just spot another Land Rover.
Menangle is looking promising.
Ian Williams
A M VC S “R O UG H TRA C KS” Page 11
Panoramic picture of vehicles lined up in main street (above) including the Vietnam Vets mobile museum bus. Bottom center picture
is of those in attendance (L to R) Roly Davey, Glen Caircross, Tom Rolfe, John ’dutchy’ Oldenmenger and myself Brett Nicholls. The
vehicles that were on display included Dodge Weapons carries both 4x4 and 6x6, Two Jeeps and a Landrover.
Event Report: The Sunday morning started with a early drive to Kevin Burnes
to pick up a 6x6 dodge weapons carrier and then on to Springwood by 9.30am. Many
people travelling a lot further - some as far away as Newcastle.
I was the last to arrive which made parking a little awkward as the 6x6 is
a little hard on steering. The weather was sunny at first and later by march time we
received a shower along with a little small sized hail there aft er the skies cleared for an
otherwise great day. The displays included a mobile Vietnam war museum which took
donations for entry. Rotary provided great food asking only for a gold coin donation in
return. All in all a good day out and I hope this event continues to grow fostering more
respect for what the diggers have done.
Regards,
Brett Nicholls - AMVCS Editor.
FOR SALE I have a 1945 WC-62 (6x6 Dodge Weapons Carrier), that I would be open to selling for the right price and home. It is in
good running condition, just resprayed and just needs some tidying up. I believe it is one of only 3 or 4 in original running condition in the
country. Currently parked in Windsor.Interested parties may give me a call on 0400 080595. Michael
FOR SALE:
NOS winch cable off an International Acco. Approx 75m still wound up with hook attached. $200. Chris Hill 0417 240 522
New 1200-R 20 18 PLY Dunlop PC50 NATO PATTERN TYRES. $400+ GST. Please contact Stephen Ford on 0428647436.
FOR SALE One complete Clansman C42 radio ground station ready to mount into a B vehicle eg Landrover. Also used in Ferret, Saracen,
Saladin and Centurions. Includes spare power supply, Antenna tuning Unit, headsets, microphones and vehicle harness items - $500.
Two Type D telephones and reel of D10 telephone cable [400 yards ] $ 150 Contact Stu Dossetor Phone 02 4421 3354
FOR SALE 623 Mountainous Acres at the locality of River Lea - between Lithgow and Capertee. Call Laurie on: 0245781531
Ford 1942, 3 tone, ex-army truck, side valve V8. Unrestored reasonable condition. Ph 02 6778 7222.
WANTEDS:
Fittings for Bren Gun Carrier fuel tanks. I need, one filler cap and one complete set of fittings for a fuel tank. i.e. Filler, fuel
pick up and drain plug. If you have an old rusty tank and do not need the fittings, I would like them complete with the mounting
flange soldered and riveted to the tank. Please contact Martin Ryan on 07 40868162 or mryan.200@bigpond.com.
I am also chasing a crank handle.
7.50 X 20 sized Tyres, bar tread pattern . Contact Brett 0407 229396
Kaiser Wrecker 816 PTO for front winch. Have cash or front winch to trade. Ph 0264521701 or 0408 232273
PLEASE NOTIFY EDITOR IF ADVERT NO LONGER NEED
Wanted - Information/Help
The message was posted by Big Joe (from 110.175.208.56).
Subject:
infamous Bren Gun Carrier
Email:
landownunderoz@hotmail.com
Instant Messenger:
Message:
Hello: I'm trying to track down(pardon the Pun!) whatever happened to a Bren Gun Carrier that was bought from "Jab
Jeeps" in the mid-1970's, ended up on "Sunfell" Bungonia Rd, Goulburn, NSW where the eventual Byron Bay "Love Guru"
with his Wives & Children lived, running a Disposals Shop in Auburn St Goulburn("SHPunas Disposals")I'm told it was Sold
at Auction & may of ended up at Puckapunyal in a Military Museum? The BGC was Spot welded, not Rivets & in a Desert
Camo. At one time a Gentleman came all the way up from Sydney to visit & encountered strange long haired Hippie types
dressed in Army Disposals Fatigues,driving ex-Australian Army Land Rovers. He knew the History of this particular BGC,
indicating that it had appeared in a Movie with John Mellion. He also recounted interesting tales about the "Jab Jeeps" Pro-
prietor. The then "CIB" of the NSW Police took great interest in the Sect/Commune as apparently, they weren't the only
ones dressing up as Soldiers & driving around in Military vehicles in the Goulburn area, at the time!Anyone with any info,
Please lets know? PO Box: 3058 West Kempsey NSW 2440 BIG Joe
2 00 09 /20 10 I SSUE 12 Page 13
FOR SALE…………..
WWII Russian tank with German markings uncovered after 62 years. WWII Buffs will find this interesting.
Even after 62 years (and a little tinkering), they were able to fire up the Diesel engine!
A Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer pulled the abandoned tank from its tomb under the boggy bank of a lake
near Johvi , Estonia . The Soviet-built T34/76A tank had been resting at the bottom of the lake for 56
years. According to its specifications, it's a 27-ton machine, with a top speed of 53km/hr.
From February to September 1944, heavy battles were fought in the narrow, 50 km-wide, Narva Front in the northeastern part
of Estonia . Over 100,000 men were killed and 300,000 men were wounded there. During battles in the summer of 1944,
the tank was captured from the Soviet army and used by the German army.
(This is the reason that there are German markings painted on the tank's exterior.)
On 19th September, 1944, German troops began an organized retreat along the Narva front. It is suspected that the tank was
then purposefully driven into the lake to conceal it when its captors left the area.
At that time, a local boy walking by the lake, Kurtna Matasjarv, noticed tank tracks leading into the lake but
not coming out anywhere. For two months he saw air bubbles emerging from the lake. This gave him reason
to believe that there must be an armored vehicle at the lake's' bottom. A few years ago, he told the story to
the leader of the local war history club 'Otsing'. Together with other club members, Mr. Igor Shedunov initiated diving expedi-
tions to the leader of the local war history club 'Otsing'. Together with other club members, Mr. Igor Shedunov initiated diving
expeditions to the bottom of the lake about a year ago. At the depth of 7 metres they discovered the tank resting under a 3 me-
tre layer of peat. Enthusiasts from the club, under Mr Shedunov's leadership, decided to pull the tank out.
In September of 2000 they turned to Mr. Aleksander Borovkovthe, manager of the Narva Open Pit company
AS Eesti Polevkivi, to rent the company's Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer. (Currently used at the pit, the Komatsu dozer was
manufactured in 1995, and has recorded 19,000 operating hours without major repairs.)
The pulling operation began at 09:00 and was concluded at 15:00, with several technical breaks. The weight of the tank, com-
bined with the travel incline, made for a pulling operation that required significant muscle. The D375A-2 handled the operation
with power and style. The weight of the fully-armed tank was around 30 tons,
so the active force required to retrieve it was similar.
A main requirement for the 68-ton dozer was to have enough weight to prevent slippage while moving up the hill.
After the tank surfaced, it turned out to be a 'trophy tank' that had been captured by the German Army in the course of the
battle at Sinimaed (Blue Hills) about six weeks before it was sunk in the lake. Altogether, 116 shells were found on board.
Remarkably, the tank was in good condition, with NO RUST, and all systems (except the engine) in working condition. This is
a very rare machine, especially considering that it fought both on the Russian and the German sides. Plans are underway to
fully restore the tank. It will be displayed at a war history museum in the Gorodenko village on the left bank of the River Narv.
Preparing to pull it out
2 00 9/ 201 0 I SSUE 1 2 Page 17
Here it comes...
Pretty amazing...
2 00 9/ 201 0 I SSUE 1 1 Page 19
An
INVITATION to ATTEND the
Art Show
Bring the Family have a great day.
North Parramatta
Gates Open 7am