Suggestion - Period Vehicles

Dear All,

I'd like to make a suggestion... I know... Another one...

I'd like to suggest we take a couple of Bedford OYs to Dunkirk as our support vehicles... Those vehicles could be marked up as Divisional RASC or such the like...

I know some feel that British WW2 vehicles are unreliable... However a truck or two would help us move people and possibly add another aspect to the trip...

I feel if we were lorried part of the way, we may have the option to see more by going off road on foot and meeting up with the lorries at designated points... or at least destroy our feet less... It would also reduce the perceived stigma of dropping out and getting on a modern mini bus...

We could have trip attendees designated as drivers and support to go ahead and get brews on... Start cooking food etc - much in the same way Jon's patents helped so much in 2010... But it allows for additional attendees who want to come but who are unable to put their bodies through 75 miles of punishment... And it gives them an essential role.

Just a thought... The OY was certainly in use as was the Austin K3 with standard steel cabs... Despite common misconceptions, not everything was aero screen or canvas topped...

Look at this...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seacoaler/sets/72157639790650635/detail/

Happy to hear your thoughts or get slated...

Gents?....

Pete,  Sounds like a superb idea to me! 

Working with period vehicle certainly brings about a new dimension to any Living History trip.

My experience of this is as follows:

a) the vehicles are unreliable
b) most are post 1940 configuration
c) the owners are dyed in the wool MVT people with no concept of our ethos
d) the owners are unreliable

If anyone knows the owner of a pre May 1940 configuration vehicle, then I have no objection to you speaking to him, bearing in mind the above caveats

What's the correct pre May 1940 configuration for an OY then mate?

ummmmmmmmmmmmmm.........................?????????????

lovely idea - if we could find anyone willing to join in to the same levels that the rest of us are. Would indeed be great to have authentic support vehicle, field kitchen set up etc.

I might have a lead on a 39/40 correct vehicle that would be large enough to carry all of the large packs, food and water, cooking equipment etc, plus pick up stragglers. The person I am talking to is "one of us" where authenticity is concerned, but even if he does not come he would be happy for me to take it. I would not count it in the planning yet as there are a few things that need to be done yet. Will let you know when more info available.

That sounds promising

That would be excellent... I've a couple of people in mind if we need support crew for that vehicle...

Guy,s I've spoken to someone who is taking a truck across as part of a contingent from up-North and put the idea to him. While he would be happy to pick up a few guys on route it seems that in the main the vehicle owners do not want hobnails in the trucks and seem to have the idea that it is a driving holiday.
If we can get someone with a truck who is willing to stick with us that would be great as moral and support. At least if you have to drop out you have a realistic alternative, even if it's just a tilly.

What I'd like if possible, is if they could park up near the one armed girls place at Warhem just for us to walk past

I have checked with Al McEwen and standard OYs are fine, were very common for the BEF and were the correct configuration...

hi guys my first post here,i am steve driver of 4th indian division lhg, i am wearing two hats lol, first one is, my chairmans hat, i am chairman of the north east military vehicle club and there is talk of bringing period vehicles to dunkirk, a morris c8 wrecker a tilly and a 39 bedford mw amongst others, i can keep you informed of what comes of it, my second hat is that of a cook, reddevil invited me over as i could well be available to bring a field kitchen over, not a definetly yet but i am very interested, with a vehicle i could set up the kitchen at each stop for a brew and hot meal each night and a breakfast in the morning before moving on to the next stop over, if anyone was at war and peace the last two years i had the field kitchen there in the desert area, two soyers first year and 2 soyers with a number 4 oven last year

That sounds brilliant! Period vehicles and authentic food! Brilliant!

Looking very good indeed!