JEEP news

The e—Newsletter

JULY 2012

Volume 132

PRESIDENT Cliff Bambridge—thebambos@bigpond.com

EDITOR and MEMBERSHIP

Mitch Holland—mitchtez@gmail.com

CLASSIC NOT PLASTIC—MORRISET, 2012

Well we told you it was on, despite the wet weather and all

of his “display mates” deserting him in the week leading up

to the event, Gadget went along to fly the Sydney Flag and

mingle with other Association Members and as you can see,

was not afraid to get his “new” A2 dirty!

Still, shoulda’ had the Jeep and you would not need a tow!

STATEMENT and FINE PRINT Information

World War 2 Jeeps NSW is NOT a formal Motor Vehicle Club, but more an “Association” of

WW2 Jeep enthusiasts, bonded together by this e—newsletter. It’s sole intention is to share

information about their vehicles, future displays, trips and events. It was founded in 1991 by

the late Peter Walker in an effort to bring together genuine users of the legendary Jeep.

Contact can be made with the current “Committee” as per the email addresses on the cover.

Joining information for new members is, a sense of participation and contribution to the

Association for your benefit and that of others, your email address for sending of the

newsletter, (this can be of a family member or friend if you don't have one—Don’t forget to

tell them!), a good colour picture of your Jeep along with a few words of your Jeep related

history, so we can introduce you via a “Member Profile”. If you have any Jeep related

restoration talents, please let us know and whether you are prepared to offer any advice to

fellow members. If you really like what we do, then a “Donation” towards our HQ development.

Members, their relatives, friends or guests are reminded that some Four Wheel Drive

activities, events or trips notified herein, can be extremely dangerous. Participation in any

activity, event or trip is entirely up to the individuals discretion and that no responsibility,

what so ever, can be held against any land holder, group or individual, for what ever situation

that may arise, in travelling to or from or during the course of that activity, event or trip.

If we are participating in an activity, event or trip organised by others outside of the

Association, we do so as a group of individuals at their invitation. Prior contact with the person

organising any particular activity, event or trip advertised herein is mandatory, to avail

yourself with the most up to date and correct information, as dates and itinerary can change

due to unforeseen circumstances.

Finally, views expressed in our newsletter are also individual and do not necessarily reflect the

Association as a whole. Membership lists forwarded from time to time are for the benefit of

those listed for contact purposes amongst each other only and are not intended for

dissemination to third parties or to be used for soliciting of unrequested services and or

advertising material.

The image of the Jeep below under the banner “Keeping The Legend Alive” and on the front

cover is from an original drawing by Krystii Melaine and is used with permission.

Prints on quality art paper, ready for framing are available by contacting Krystii at

krystii@krystiimelaine.com

Dedicated to wearing out yesterdays legend,

today for some bugger to preserve tomorrow!

Jeep News No.132 July 2012

MARATHON SPARE PARTS CO.

Established 40 years. Jeep specialists in Army Models GPW & MB

Contact Neil Goodridge on phone (02) 6762 8666,

Fax (02) 6762 8777 or Mobile (0411) 864 988

4 In Street (PO Box W686), West Tamworth NSW 2340

Cliffs Say....

My say will be very short and to the point this newsletter as the winter blues have set in, my

holiday in the desert with Sweetie is over, and there is not very much going on. While travelling with

Brian and Sue Sweet through Central Australia, it really brought to my attention the gutsiness of the

trip that hr and Mitch completed last year. Some of the roads were very corrugated and very long and

we were travelling in comfortably shiney sides (not open top WW2 Jeeps), our weather was better

and our arses were better padded.

I heard on the grapevine that my good mate, Neil Goodrich, is going to convert one of his

Pilipino Jeeps to a utility. This will be an interesting project for him and I will be encouraging Neil to

provide some photos for the newsletter or we might be able to persuade Jacko (Photographer from

Jeep Action) for some photos. I have heard he is very handy with a camera (and welder).

Now, to the Christmas party…I would like to put it out there for WW2 Jeeps members to

respond and give me some feedback on how they would like the Christmas party 2012 to be run. IE

(1) Woolshed – Basic, not catered, (2) Woolshed – Saturday night dinner fully catered, or (3) to have

the Christmas party as a camp out weekend (not at Cullen Bullen). Please email Mitch or ring me.

I hope everyone is enjoying all the winter festivities and I hope to see you as it gets warmer

and more trips are planned.

The AMVCS has invited us to attend a display at Newington Armoury, beside the Parramatta

River at Newington, on Sunday 4 November 2012. I am sure Mitch and I will be participating. More

information will be included in upcoming newsletters.

Don’t forget if you have a trip or something you would like to do, let us know.

Cliff B

Jeep News No.132 July 2012

SIGNALS HELLO

Well I am writing this on holidays up north. Its been a fairly quiet winter with not much on, but all that

is about to change in September! Coming up to wake us all out of our winter hibernation is a whole host

of events.

You all remember the Linnwood House bash of last year for our version of the 70’th year of the

Legendary Jeep, well its on again, but open to all Military Vehicles. We were very well supported last

year by many from a long way away and it’s a long draw on the bow to expect them all to come again,

but if we can attract just a few of those greater Sydney area owners who came for a peek, without their

Jeep, then numbers should be as high. Its up to you! Let me know if your interested, its nearly time to

get the ball rolling. Then there is Burwood, the big Jambo at Rydal and Newington to think about!

Cliffy wants your opinions on the traditional Xmas Bash. We have had plenty of memorable do’s at the

Shed, but each year they are getting a little less in number. Is it just “ho-hum” or a sign of stiff

economic times?

A teacher is explaining biology to her 3rd grade students. She says, "Human beings are the only animals that stutter." A little girl raises her hand. saying, "I had a kitty-cat who stuttered." The teacher, knowing how pre-cious some of these stories could become, asked the girl to describe the incident."Well,'' she began, "I was in the back yard with my kitty and the Rottweiler that lives next door got a running start and before we knew it, he jumped over the fence into our yard!" The teacher exclaimed, "That must've been scary." The little girl said, "It sure was. My kitty raised her back, went 'Sssss, Sssss, Sssss' and before she could say 'Shit,' the Rottweiler ate her!" The teacher had to leave the room.

I am sure there is a story to

this event that Vinh has sent

me a few pictures of.

I am saying nothing more!

“This is a private non-profit organization, whose main objective is the preservation of military vehicles as part of

the historical heritage of our country. It originated a few years ago as the dream of a group of friends, inspired in

part by associations or similar clubs in other countries. Finally the dream transcended and came to a realization.

The original group of a dozen friends tripled in two years, always maintaining the quality of both the human group

as vehicles. One of the goals of the Association is to help anyone who is interested in the recovery, restoration and

preservation of any military vehicle rendered or serving in the Armed Forces of our country or abroad. The hobby

of collecting and restoring military vehicles is relatively new and little known in our country but is widely used in

many other countries. In the United States of America, for example, there are dozens of clubs and collectors of

military vehicles. The largest group there called "Military Vehicle Preservation Association" (Association for the

Preservation of Military Vehicle) was founded in 1976 and has over 7500 members including 38 affiliated groups

within the country and 10 other groups in other countries affiliated the world. This hobby also has a very large

extent in Europe, even in countries belonging to the Soviet bloc when it existed as such. Fans of the hobby, both

Americans and Europeans, have a wide range of vehicles ranging from her famous "Jeep" in all its variety of

models and versions up to armoured vehicles, tanks and warplanes.”

Deigo Del Solar of Argentina,

who came to us recently after a

bit of “surfing”. They have

invited anyone who likes to join

their 500+ strong group,

called ...

Association Argentina de

Coleccionistas de Vehiculos

Militares, whose motto is

“Collecting, Preserving and

Conserving Heritage with

regard to all types of vehicles

used in the Armies of the

World”

See, Spanish isn't that hard

Gringos!

Besides, google will translate it

for you. Check them out at

Www.aacvm.com.ar

Anyway, they too, like to get their

Jeeps out and about and throw a bit

of mud around

STANDING

ORDERS

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT OF YOUR

“NEWS” - Read it and act! No use having a Jeep tucked

away in the shed if you don't use it!!

REMEMBER THE SLOGAN!!!

KEN & RAQUELS VJ DAY @ KOKODA

Sunday 19 August—Wear your Greens, decorate

your MV and meet at 11am at the Walkway at

Concord in Sydney with a BYO, BBQ lunch and

celebrate this milestone date. Contact Ken with the

“thumbs up” at jeepmad16@optusnet.com.au or phone

him on (02)9625-5748 or 0418 260 013

LINNWOOD HOUSE GENERAL MV DAY

Sunday 9 September—Full details elsewhere within.

BURWOOD SPRING FESTIVAL

16 September—Individuals to apply, by emailing

MITCH, who has forms, which need to be in by 5th.

JEEP JAMBO—RYDAL—(nr Lithgow)

Thur 27 to Sun 30 SEPTEMBER

This is it, July and it less than two months

away now. These Jambo’s are big events for

all Jeepers, new and OLD. Lets not disappoint

on the OLD side and plan to come along and

be part of a great historic display. You don't

have to drive the tracks if that is not your bag,

but you can be apart of a big static display.

Give Gadget a call now on 02 9519-9588 to

discuss possibilities and register your interest.

You will also need to register your attendance

for the Jeep Jamboree and pay the entry fees

on their website ...... Com’on its only money!

You cant take it with you!

www.jeepjamboree2012.com.au

DOOKIE MK111 MV RALLY

13 & 14 October in Central Victoria Contact there is Sol Sutherland 0427 538 667

CANUNGRA SWAP MEET—(MJCQ)

19—21 October in Canungra QLD

Celebrating 70 Anniversary of WLA Harleys

NEWINGTON ARMORY MV DAY

4 November Advanced notice of this event to be held in

conjunction with other clubs, but chiefly the

AMVCS. Further info and application form was

emailed, but if you want the finer details contact

Dennis Taylor 48boots@gmail.com

Entry by early October is required

WW2 JEEPS NSW ANNUAL XMAS

BASH

16—18 November 2012

More details later, but save the date.

Will it be at the Cullen Bullen Woolshed—

Western District HQ? OR ...

Do we take it on the Road this year?

ELVIS PRESLEY FESTIVAL 2013

A post New Year trip is herewith mooted to

be part of the big Festival on Saturday 12th

January and join Don Marriot and his exploits

to impress the many ladies, who flock to this

event. Mitch is proposing a camping week-

end, taking a back road route out on say the

Thursday or Friday. Do something on the

Saturday, then take a couple of days to come

back. Entry to the Parade, closes soon after

the last one, so I don't think we can be

officially in it, but it could be fun for a couple

of days touring around out west? Anybody

interested in visiting county pubs?

COROWA 2013

Year of the Trailed Equipment & Year of

the Armoured Vehicle

Mon 11 March—Sun 17 March 2013

Application form in last newsletter and needs

to be in by end of February for special stuff.

A trip to the “Snowys” is also mooted to join

on to, as part of an overall trip. If your

interested in gallivanting around the high

country and wanna put your hand up, then let

Cliffy or Mitch know asap.

2014 ANZAC European Tour

28 April to 10 June 2014 Yes its on again, however you would have to be

quick to contact the organiser, Hans Sprangers.

hasprang@tpg.com.au

Possible places are very limited and may already

be fully subscribed BY THE TIME THIS GETS

OUT?

Jeep News No.132 July 2012

FOR SALES and WANTED We have had a couple of Jeeps recently for sale and like

most things, people never seem to get back to you with

latest developments. We have an idea for a For Sales

Register, that I will try and maintain with latest offerings

and their price. So when you ask me to advertise your

larger item, (ie Jeeps, Trailers and other vehicles etc), it

will go on this register as well as the next Newsletter or

special email out. If you decide to adjust the price or

better still, have sold the item, then let me know and I will

remover from the register.

Recent Jeeps for Sale, have seen some price adjustments

as you may have noticed from the FOR SALE

REGISTER that I sent out a few days ago.

Bill Tidmarsh has dropped his to $18,800 (see JN126B)

Rod Cranes, below, has dropped his to $10,500 (JN130)

John Gibbins Jeep, (not shown), (JN129), which was

located on the Gold Coast was sold for about $18,000 and

went to a bloke in Ipswich, which according to John was

close to the chicken coup from which she was found. So,

she had done the full circle!!!

So it does work. And this new idea, should make it work

even better?

Vinh, still has his very neat CJ2A for sale,

which was subject of a great Youtube

advertisement that we sent around the link too,

in an email recently, Contact Vinh at

tran_vinhphuc@yahoo.com

Seen recently in a Just 4x4 E magazine, that

you can subscribe too. This Jeep was

advertised for $22,500 recently.

We don't normally advertise much else, but

Jeeps, however Scott Rough has his 69 S2A

LWB Landy and No.5 Trailer for sale for

$6,900. A great vehicle for those of you who

like chasing oil leaks! (I spose, us Jeep

owners shouldn’t throw stones?)

JEEP PARTS WANTED Mitch, I am attaching 4 pics of the jeep I am restoring. Started restoring it for a local museum.

This 1944 Ford Jeep has been in the family for 60 years. When restored, hoping to put it in our local

Beersheba Day, Anzac Day and Australia Day parades at least.

I'm finding small new parts good value but large items such as seats and fuel tank are too dear. So would like

to see if anyone has any such 2nd hand items for sale.... Long way to go. Thanks, Bob Norvill

I need a passenger seat, rear seat and cushions and fuel tank. Thank you, Bob.

You can contact Bob at cjnorvill@exemail.com.au

Cool piece of History Starting in 1941, an increasing number of British Airmen found themselves as the involuntary guests of the

Third Reich, and the Crown was casting about for ways and means to facilitate their escape.

Now obviously, one of the most helpful aids to that end is a useful and accurate map, one showing not only

where stuff was, but also showing the locations of 'safe houses' where a POW on-the-lam could go for food

and shelter.

Paper maps had some real drawbacks -- they make a lot of noise when you open and fold them, they wear

out rapidly, and if they get wet, they turn into mush.

Someone in MI-5 got the idea of printing escape maps on silk. It's durable, can be scrunched-up into tiny

wads, and unfolded as many times as needed, and makes no noise whatsoever.

At that time, there was only one manufacturer in Great Britain that had perfected the technology of printing

on silk, and that was John Waddington, Ltd. When approached by the government, the firm was only too

happy to do its bit for the war effort.

By pure coincidence, Waddington was also the U.K. Licensee for the popular American board game,

Monopoly. As it happened, 'games and pastimes' was a category of item qualified for insertion into 'CARE

packages', dispatched by the International Red Cross to prisoners of war.

Under the strictest of secrecy, in a securely guarded and inaccessible old workshop on the grounds of

Waddington's, a group of sworn-to-secrecy employees began mass producing escape maps, keyed to each

region of Germany or Italy where Allied POW camps were regional system).. When processed, these maps

could be folded into such tiny dots that they would actually fit inside a Monopoly playing piece.

As long as they were at it, the clever workmen at Waddington's also managed to add:

1. A playing token, containing a small magnetic compass

2. A two-part metal file that could easily be screwed together

3. Useful amounts of genuine high-denomination German, Italian, and French currency, hidden within the

piles of Monopoly money!

British and American air crews were advised, before taking off on their first mission, how to identify a

'rigged' Monopoly set -- by means of a tiny red dot, one cleverly rigged to look like an ordinary printing

glitch, located in the corner of the Free Parking square.

Of the estimated 35,000 Allied POWS who successfully escaped, an estimated one-third were aided in their

flight by the rigged Monopoly sets... Everyone who did so was sworn to secrecy Indefinitely, since the

British Government might want to use this highly successful ruse in still another, future war. The story

wasn't declassified until 2007, when the surviving craftsmen from Waddington's, as well as the firm itself,

were finally honoured in a public ceremony.

It's always nice when you can play that 'Get Out of Jail' Free' card!

I realize many of you are (probably) too young to have any personal connection to WWII (Sept '39 to Aug.

'45), but this is still an interesting bit of war history.

LATE (FOR SALE) MAIL A late correction to the “For Sale Register has Andrew

Rohrsheims 43 MB Jeep on the market for $16,000

(10% discount to Jeep News readers). Recently fixed

up to meet full NSW Rego requirements. Contact

Andrew via email at andrew@rohrsheim.com Further

details and photos can be found at the website

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/willys-

jeep-1943-12521271

Hi Mitch,

Great reading in the magazine/s as always [ I get a sneak look as Ian's email still comes here to home before I

fwd it on to him!!] Of course extra points for Bob McNeill's CHMC Easter Rally photos from Orange present

Jeeps were his with trailer, Ian's GPW “Honeypot” and that fantastic homemade jeep the chap operating it

built from memory and photos on what had been a wrecked mobility scooter thingees - he was so chuffed to

see the 2 other jeeps there and spent a long time looking at “Honeypot” and talking to me with the intention of

going home and making some bits on his 'jeep' a little more like the real thing - he was wonderful.

Attached photo of “Honeypot” in her 'other Club' garb at Orange as part of our Club display for the

coveted Mal Mason Shield - which the VMC won. For Bush Council Rallies the jeep's with the Vintage Motor

Club as an associate vehicle [being a tad out of our age cut off of 1930] and it was as the VMC's entry that she

won the 2006 Bush Council Rally Concourse and thus the invitational entry to CMC's Eastern Creek Classic

and the rest is history.

We see very few ex-MVs at the Bush Council Rallies, which is a great pity as they are a fantastic event

held annually around NSW country towns. Perhaps if you like I can do a bit of a write-up about the CHMC

Easter Rallies and maybe encourage other jeep. Blitz etc owners to get out with their local club and off to an

Easter Rally? 2013 is at Merimbula. Cheers Jenny

Thanks Jenny for the fill in. I did not spot Ian there in the background in that picture from Bob in the last

issue of the news, but here it is again and well done Ian, another award for the trophy cabinet for

“Honeypot”! Also, yes any write ups you can offer, all make interesting reading, as well as an opportunity to

advertise local Car Clubs and what they can offer Country Members.

WINGS OVER THE ILLAWARRA – 6 MAY

There were several members from WW2 Jeeps that attended this year, with Gadget and Vinh doing a

very fine display of a tepee tent of the M*A*S*H type which was well patronised by the public,

doubled up as a clothesline and cooking venue and also was great when you wanted to get out of the

wind. But next time Gadget is to remember the tent pegs as we soon ran out of screwdriver’s!!

Kenny Cannon didn’t let us down either, with his excellent selection of armoury. All in all, it was a

great day with blue skies, lots of loud planes and some good gossip (which always goes down well –

hope your ears weren’t burning??). CLIFF

Below—

Dunno if Vinh was

maximising his exposure

to the sun, after the chilly

start (See the last edition

of the Jeep News) or he

has recently been

fishing?

How big was that

Fish????

“It was this big!”

The Golden West Air Show and Fly-in

After Action Report 09-10 June 2012

About 16 Northern Recon Group members supported the Golden West Air Show and Fly-in, “30 Seconds Over

Marysville” at the Yuba County Airport with ten military vehicles. This year the air show commemorated the

70th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid and the 70th anniversary of the last graduating class of Tuskegee

Airmen. The air show featured Warbirds, military displays, B-17 Sentimental Journey airplane rides, Dinner

Dance with 1940’s band, WWII reenactment and lots of fun.

Bill Campbell displayed his 1945 Willys MB and trailer. Walt Witkowski and Ellen Skower displayed their

WWII CCKW open cab 2 ½ ton, their WWII CCKW closed cab 2 ½ ton, and their WWII ambulance. Cary

Simpson drove his M35A2, 2 ½ ton truck with trailer. Bruce Hrabak displayed his WWII jeep and a great cam-

ouflage shade area. Don Cooper displayed his WWII German motorcycle sidecar. Ben Blankenship displayed

his WWII Chevy USMC ½ ton truck.

Don Darrough and his daughter Dawn Darrough took a once in a lifetime ride in the B-17 Sentimental Journey.

Before the plane took off Bill Campbell let each of the aircrew of the B-17 Sentimental Journey drive his

WWII jeep around the ramp of the B-17. All of the military vehicles then parked around the B-17 for a

GREAT photo. It was great interacting with the B-17 aircrew and maybe one or two of them might own a jeep

in the future thanks to Bill Campbell letting them drive his jeep!

Thank you NRG member Ben Blankenship for an outstanding air show!! We will definitely plan on it next

year.

We have mentioned plenty of times before our affiliation

with the NRG and I sure they wont mind me showing those

of you who have not taken up their offer to join and

receive direct their regular news feeds—MITCH

Your one lucky girl, there Dawn!

LINNWOOD HOUSE MILITARY VEHICLE GATHERING

Sunday 9th September 2012

Late last year marked the start of the 70th Anniversary of the WW2 Jeep as we know it, the Willys MA / MB and the Ford GP / GPW. So we held an event to

celebrate this fact at Linnwood House in September 2011.

The event was a huge success, part in thanks to our sponsors of the day and also the support from many who travelled great distances to attend. So, we are organising another special day,

again in the very centre of Sydney where you can show off your pride and joy, meet fellow owners and enjoy the facilities of an Historic home.

This time, however, it will be open to ANY OWNER of a Military Vehicle, whether you belong to a club or association or not, by contacting –

Mitch Holland by email at mitchtez@gmail.com

Reserve Sunday 9th September and come along to Historic Linnwood at 25 Byron Road, Guildford, (close to the north east side of the Yennora Distribution Park), ENTRY will be FREE and open to the

public, so your family and friends can come along for a geek, check out the house and have a great day.

As it is open to all, we want to encourage period display of memorabilia and also hope, (if we can drum up a bit of pre-event response), to have a few prize categories from

our “to be arranged” sponsors. You will have to register to be eligible for the prizes.

Further details will be provided with your confirmation documentation along with a registration number.

Come along and be a part of this auspicious occasion.

Event is being arranged by WW2 Jeeps NSW In association with the Friends of Linnwood.

(For your information, the historic Linnwood, was built by George McCredie in 1891. The first Presbyterian services in Guildford were held on the property and continued until after George McCredie’s death in 1903

and the George McCredie Memorial Church was built and opened in 1905. The property was sold to the state government in 1921 and became known as the Guildford Truant School for Boys and in later years became ‘Lynwood Hall’, a Domestic Training School for Girls. Linnwood was listed on the State Heritage

Register in 2003. It is now managed by the Friends of Linnwood. All money raised on the day, by the Friends, is to be used for future restoration/conservation work on the house. Admission to the house is $3 and we do ask exhibitors to pay this as well. We do not charge exhibitors or clubs to attend on the day as we hope that by being able to advertise your presence at the

house, we can draw a crowd and this in turn will help promote your own organisation. The Friends do a sausage sizzle and also have refreshments available inside eg. tea & coffee, sandwiches and cakes. There are also Art & Craft stalls in the house on the day (sometimes the wives of exhibitors enjoy these!) and we have had in the past, an Australian Bush Band playing on the front verandah.) Please Note: Attendance will be solely at your own discretion and that no responsibility, what so ever, can be held

against any group or individual, for whatever situation that may arise in travelling to or from or during the

course of the days activities.

JEEP – 70 YEARS – 2011/2

Jeep News No.132 July 2012

Couple of great colour pictures off the

internet thanks again to Cam. No particular

captions, however I guess they are

Canadian Nurses somewhere in France at

the cessation of Hostilities in 1945.

Jeep News No.132 July 2012

European Correspondence Greetz Ingo

Hi. Some pics from the Santa Fe event last week in Overloon next to the

war and resistance museum. Great museum, great event. almost 150

vehicles. We had a great time in the woods. Actually, in these woods,

there was the only but huge tank battle during WW 2 in Holland.

Greetz from the Continent

OFF THE INTERNET by CAM FINLAY—(well EBAY, really)

WHAT TH’? Or perhaps it should read, as Cam suggests—”ONLY IN AMERICA!”

Whether you're looking to make a personal statement or make your business the Talk Of The Town,

you'll want

The Mufflermobile! What is The Mufflermobile? It's a fully-functional four wheel drive 1948 Willys

Jeep CJ2A that's licensed for the road. The body has been replaced with a custom made wood framed,

aluminium skinned replica of a muffler that's 8 feet high and 11 feet long.

This is the most unique advertising vehicle since the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile!

Purchase The Mufflermobile, wrap it with your company's advertising message, park it around town or show it

off at different events, and people will come to your business just to tell you that they saw it! They'll tell their

friends about it; they'll post pictures of it on facebook and twitter. They will promote your business for you!

You can't buy advertising like that! Oh wait, yes you can! Bid to win or Buy It Now! (Just a mere $7,900

USD—But you have to convince them to let it leave the States!!! - Ed)

The Mufflermobile is located in the Fredericton, NB area and is being sold as-is, where-is, no warranty

expressed or implied. It is, after all, a 64 year old muffler.

Due to its height, special arrangements will likely have to be made with your shipper!

Enough said. I don't think I will add this

to the “FOR SALES REGISTER”!

Cheers MITCH

A couple of different takes on the

Ambulance Jeeps

ABOVE—This soldier is Pte Lake, a 41-year-old kangaroo-

hunter turned sniper, with 2/5th Independent Coy in Papua,

August 1942. Of note is his bandolier and half-stocked cut-down

SMLE rifle which we reconsidered unorthodox. Notable among

many smaller AIF units created were ‘Independent Companies’,

which initially followed a British model ;each consisted

originally of 273 other ranks and 17 officers. In 1943 the

divisional cavalry regiments were remodelled as Cavalry

(Commando) Regts, comprising Cavalry (Commando) Sqns -

later simply Commando Squadrons. Australians impressed their

enemies with their marksmanship, but snipers seldom received

specialist equipment, and were under-used in the jungle.

(Australian War Memorial 013155)

BELOW

Pilsen Czechoslovakia 1945 and 2012

2012 marks a lot of “Seventy” Anniversaries, however, the MJCQ is celebrating one, this year at

Canungra, that we thought would be a good use of a lot of MC pics, that have been accumulating,

sooo ….

All you wanted to know about Hardly Ridables, but were afraid to Ask—From of Wikipedia

Harley-Davidson began producing the WLA in small numbers in 1940, as part of a general military expansion.

The later entry of the United States into World War II saw significantly increased production, with over 90,000

being produced during the war (along with spare parts the equivalent of many more). Harley Davidson would

also produce a close WLA variant for the Canadian Army called the WLC and would also supply smaller num-

bers to the UK, South Africa, and other allies, as well as filling orders for different models from the Navy and

Marine Corps.

Unusually, all the WLAs produced after Pearl Harbor, regardless of the actual year, would be given serial

numbers indicating 1942 production. Thus, war-time machines would come to be known as 42WLAs. This may

have been in recognition of the use of the continued use of the same specification. Most WLCs were produced in

1943, and are marked 43WLC. The precise serial number, as well as casting marks, can be used to date a

specific motor accurately, and some other parts bear year and month stamps. Frames and many other parts were

not tagged with the serial number, and cannot generally be dated. (This is common prior to adoption of the VIN.)

Many WLAs would be shipped to allies under the Lend-Lease program. The largest recipient was the Soviet

Union, which was sold over 30,000 WLAs. Production of the WLA would cease after the war, but would be

revived for the Korean War during the years 1949–1952.

Most WLAs in western hands after the war would be sold as surplus and "civilianized"; the many motorcycles

available at very low cost would lead to the rise of the chopper and other modified motorcycle styles, as well as

the surrounding biker culture. Many a young soldier would come home hoping to get a Harley-Davidson like he

saw or rode in the service, leading to the post-war popularity of both the motorcycle and the company in general.

However, this also ensured that few nearly-original WLAs would survive in the US or even Western Europe. A

significant number of WLAs were left in the Soviet Union, and either stored or put in private hands. With little

access to parts and no chopper culture, and no export path to the West, many of those WLAs were preserved

during the Cold War. Russia and other former Soviet countries are now a major source of WLAs and parts.

The WLA is very similar to civilian models, specifically the WL. Among the changes making it a military

model: Painted surfaces were generally painted olive drab or black and chrome- or nickel-plated parts were

generally blued or parkerized or painted white. Some parts were left as unfinished aluminum. However, Harley

Davidson was apparently very practical in its use of existing parts and processes, and many finishes remained in

their bright civilian versions for a time, and, in some cases, for the whole production run. In order to reduce

night time visibility, WLAs were fitted with a second set of blackout head and tail lights. To reduce mud

clogging, the sides of the standard fenders were removed. A heavy-duty luggage rack (for radios), ammo box,

leather Thompson submachine gun scabbard, skid plate, leg protectors, and windshield could be fitted. Most

came with at least these accessories less the windshield or leg protectors. An oil bath air cleaner, originally used

for tractors and other vehicles in dusty environments, was fitted to handle the dust of off-road use and to allow

easier field maintenance. Oil bath cleaners require only the addition of standard motor oil rather than replaceable

filters. Changes to the crankcase breather reduced the possibility of water intake into the crankcase.

The engine of the WLA is a side-valve design, which is reliable though not particularly efficient in comparison

to overhead-valve designs. Harley Davidson already had overhead valve engines in production for its Big Twin

lines, but the "small twin" flathead design was popular in applications needing reliability more than power. This

engine remained in production from 1937 to 1973 in the Servi-Car, although it was superseded in two-wheeled

motorcycles by the more advanced flathead engine used in the Model K (the ancestor of the OHV Sportster) in

1952. Though the model designation suggested high compression, for reliability, the Army version actually used

a medium-compression version. In modern terms, the WLA's compression ratio of 5:1 is very low. Due to this

low compression, a WLA will run on 74 octane gasoline, necessary due to the poor quality of refining at the

time, although fuel technology would improve rapidly during the war.

A beautifully restored WLA seen earlier

this year at the Guyra MV Gathering.

(The owner, Pauls Jeep and No.4

Trailer were equally fine examples)

And check out this dude. An Aussie in

PNG apparently

The WLA also features springer front suspension. Harley-Davidson would not adopt telescopic front forks until

after the war. The rear wheel had no suspension, giving this type of motorcycle the nickname "hard tail".

Harley-Davidson provided motorcycles to the Army during World War I and for earlier excursions against

Mexican bandits like Pancho Villa.

During World War II, the Army produced a specification for a motorcycle much like the BMWs used by German

forces. That meant shaft drive, a boxer engine, and several other features that made the BMWs exceptionally

reliable and low-maintenance machines. Harley-Davidson produced the XA based closely on the BMW. Though

an excellent machine, only about 1,000 were produced. Due to its new features and low production, the XA was

expensive, and by that time it was clear that the Jeep was the Army's general purpose vehicle of choice; the less

advanced but cheaper WLA was considered sufficient for its limited roles.

ALSO—DIDJANO?

The model number breaks down as follows:

W : the W family of motorcycles. Harley Davidson (except in very early models) gives a letter designation for

each model family. The W series at the time was the newest incarnation of the 45 cubic inches (740 cc) flathead

motor, and was developed from the earlier R family 1932–1936.

L : "high compression", in the usual HD scheme. The "low compression" W model was only briefly available.

A : Army. The company would also produce a model to the slightly different specifications of the Canadian Army,

which would be named the WLC. The WLCs differed from WLAs chiefly in the use of some heavier components,

usually Big Twin parts, as well as Canadian blackout lighting.

The US Army would use motorcycles for police and escort work, courier duties, and some scouting, as well as

limited use to transport radio and radio suppression equipment. Allied motorcycles were almost never used as

combat vehicles or for troop mobility, and so were rarely equipped with sidecars as was common on the German

side. Nevertheless, the WLA acquired the nickname "Liberator", since it was seen ridden by soldiers liberating

occupied Europe

Above: I think this bloke wont be returning fire with his

Tommy Gun too quickly? He has fell on the wrong side!!

All original pics used in this story have come from the

internet prowess of Cam Finlay

Above—Armoured Harleys.

While we are onto the subject of

Motorcycles, Check this one out!

The Killinger und Freund Motorrad was

intended for civilian production but the

start of World War II cancelled those

plans. One motorcycle was discovered by

the US Army in the spring of 1945 at a

German military installation but it is not

known if this was the original prototype

or another Killinger und Freund

Motorrad”

Continued from No.131

To be Continued ......