MVPA Convention, Topeka KS

[Mike Cecil]

Gents,

Just returned home from the MVPA annual convention in Topeka, Kansas. It was a 3,000 mile round trip, and well worth it. Caught up with several other Ford GP restorers, managed to find a few parts I was after, and found a few more reference books to add to the library. Displayed vehicles included an LVT-3, Sherman 'Grizzly', several half tracks and even a current M1070 Oshkosh tank transporter tractor. The usual array of jeeps, Mules, and other smaller vehicles, most restored to a very high standard. Lots of parts, lots of people, lots of fun: it was a great few days.

Among the reference books I purchased is a 1952 US Army book simply called 'Tank Data'. It was a reference hand-out on US Armor courses. The surprise was the contents: it is a survey of around 120 AFVs held at Aberdeen Proving Ground, each with an image and extensive technical specifications. Some rare vehicles in the book that I certainly don't remember seeing at APG when I visited several years ago.

Visited the Strategic Air Command Museum at Ashland, Nebraska, en route, and the Heartland MV museum. Both were worth the visit - the SAC Museum has a B36 Peacemaker on display - what a mammoth aircraft! The Heartland Museum was refreshingly accurate in their extensive captions to the displays, and a diverse series of displays there are, too, including two Bradley IFVs.

Next year's convention will be closer: it's in California!!

Mike

[motto]

Did you drive or fly Mike?
LVT ?

Dave

[Mike Cecil]

Dave,

I drove: driving the interstates is great (except in Nebraska, where the speed limits are 65mph!!) Wyoming and SD are mostly now changed to 80mph (up from 75mph) on the interstates, and all dual carriageway, so only the occasional need to cancel the cruise control.

You made me think again about the LVT - my error: it was an LVT-3 with the Cadillac engines in the sponsons. Fully restored, running: beautiful restoration. I didn't see it running, but it drove into the hall on the set-up day, and was said to be very quiet.

Regards

Mike

[rob love]

Derk Derin, Myself, and another friend drove down for the Thursday morning opening, and stayed until Saturday afternoon. I have to say I was a little disappointed in the convention. Many of the major dealers were not there. Wallce Wade was not there, so no tires, tubes and flaps. TNW Murray was not there, so no M151A2 parts. Beachwood Canvas was not there, so no canvas items. I am pretty sure there were at least 50 tables still empty, and that was after some dealers spread their stuff out to try and use up the real estate.

Even the barn out back had minimal vendors in it. But they are truly the gem of these shows. Some of the guys just brought in boxloads of stuff and did not want to take it home again. I got a NOS Ford carrier distributor (no coil or caps, but with points and rotor) for $40, and one of the WW2 US spotlights, NOS, for only $40. Also got a decent WW2 Cdn/Brit stretcher for $40.

Other highlights were John Bizal (Midwest Military) who brought me some pre-ordered items, RAPCO, from whom I bought the usual pallet of paint, and Rod Shaver for the Bren carrier track pins. Brian Asbury was there of course, so it was good talking to him and neat to see some of the treasures he still has for the CMPs and M-series.

Just like a gun show, some dealers started out with outrageous prices, and by the end of the show were willing to deal. I got one of the European repro Ramsey winches for my M38A1 for around half the initial asking price by dealing at the last minute. I didn't hardball the fellow, and told him I would have no hard feelings if he turned down my offer, but with the exchange rates we Canadians have to pay for US dollars, the offer was as much as I was going to pay.

I may miss out on next years California show as it is too far a drive, and I think someone told me they were going to have the 2017 show in Kentucky, so that one may be out as well. Hopefully it ends up in the midwest again for 2018.....I'll be running out of paint by then.

[Mike Cecil]

Pity we didn't coord before hand, Rob, we could have met for a chat.

Weebee Webbing from Richmond, Ohio were there with there range of canvas products (and I think I'll be getting the GP canvas, webbing and hardware from Dave), plus I got the new 6.00-16 tubes I needed as well from Dan someone (can't remember his name).

But I agree: some of the usual suspects were not there. I had hoped to see Vintage Wiring of Maine (now operating in NC, so closer to Topeka) there but no joy.

Mike

[motto]

Not many LVT 3s about either.
Twin Cadillac V8 side valves - music to the ears. A superb engine in every way.

Dave

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Pity we didn't coord before hand, Rob, we could have met for a chat.

Weebee Webbing from Richmond, Ohio were there with there range of canvas products (and I think I'll be getting the GP canvas, webbing and hardware from Dave), plus I got the new 6.00-16 tubes I needed as well from Dan someone (can't remember his name).

But I agree: some of the usual suspects were not there. I had hoped to see Vintage Wiring of Maine (now operating in NC, so closer to Topeka) there but no joy.

Mike

I was supposed to bu a MB/GPW soft top along with bows and hardware for a friend of mine. Normally at one of these shows I wold have choice of 3 or 4 vendors to buy from. There was nothing at this show. Another guy wanted me to pick him up some rear seat covers for a M38A1. There was none of those to be had either.

I saw the fellow with the tubes for sale, and in fact bought a few things from him. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of things to spend on, and quite a number of them I didn't even know I needed until I saw them. I did manage to spend every US dollar that I had on me, so it was success on that front. But it was not the usual show where you could show up with a shopping list and fill it.