VP Day Canberra Aug. 15 2005

zemsi · #1 16-08-05, 01:58

Over the last weekend, the commemorations for Victory in Pacific took place in Canberra. Max took 4 of his vehicles to the parade (Ford Ute, 2 x Chevy C15, Ford V8) and John loaded his Harley WLA on the Ute. I was honoured to drive "Tickets", a Chev C15.

We left on Saturday morning in a small convoy, joint by Ashley in his Jeep Ford GPW, Max drove a Studebaker 6x6 and Robert, an "Irish bloke" drove as an "End of Convoy" commander another Jeep.

We met in Canberra some other 20 - 25 vehicles an their owner. Our small parade started at 1100, but sadely only with some hundred visitors.

On Sat was the training for the Sun Airshow, some thousands visitors were there, not the expected 100'000! This Training was a little bit disapponiting.

We left our vehicles at a secured car park and drove with the Land Cruiser back. Brekky on Sun morning was already at 0600, we had to pick up the vehicles at 0800 to drive them to the assembly area. Max and I created on Sat evening some fact sheets for his vehicles. So we could attract more visitors, many of them read our provided information.

The Sun Parade started already at 0910, not as stated with 1000 in the official programs. So only a few visitors attended. At the other end of the show area were the vehicles from the Sydney Club parked (mainly heavy armored stuff: Stuart Tank, M8 Grehound, some Halftracks and Carriers etc.)

The Airshow on Sun was brilliant, with around 100'000 visitors attending. I met there 2 Sydney professors, which I met in Duxford UK 3 years ago.

The drive home took us about 3 hours. Max forgot to fill up all the vehicles with fuel, so just after 2 km, the Ford V8 stopped for the first time. In regularly intervalls, we had to stop and fill them up, but only about 1 jerry can was filled with petrol. The others were empty.

I swaped my vehicle with Max after 30 km, because she was running out of fuel and we hadn't anymore left. Drove Ashleys Jeep for another 15 km. Fun & easy to drive, but weak brakes and the right headlight doesn't work very well.

On Monday Max, Robert and I went to the official commemorations. Max's father shook hands with the premierminister.

All in all, I spent an excellent, ripper weekend with Max in Canberra. Very memorable, which I'll never forget!

zemsi · #2 16-08-05, 01:59

... our Sunday morning parade, stopping outside Old Parliament house to take some photo shots.

zemsi · #3 16-08-05, 02:02

Max and Robert are the sons of diggers from WW2 (2/2 Inf Bat, 6th Div). They served in the Desert and Kokoda, New Guniea.

zemsi · #4 16-08-05, 02:16

... Max's CMPs ready for Departure

zemsi · #5 16-08-05, 02:18

... off-loading John's Harley WLA from the Ford Ute

zemsi · #6 16-08-05, 02:21

... Gruber's Chevy with a Bedford engine.

Does anybody know something about this vehicle and its unusual water tank?

zemsi · #7 16-08-05, 02:23

... armored vehicles from a Sydney Club

zemsi · #8 16-08-05, 02:24

... assembly area on Sunday morning

zemsi · #9 16-08-05, 02:27

... driving in the parade convoy

zemsi · #10 16-08-05, 02:28

... old parliament house in a rear mirror

zemsi · #11 16-08-05, 02:29

... a Seep in the water

zemsi · #12 16-08-05, 02:31

... vehicles in sunset

zemsi · #13 16-08-05, 02:32

... official Monday morning ceremonie outside the War Memorial

zemsi · #14 16-08-05, 02:33

... vehicles at the ceremonie (note: Hedges's Ford Ute!)

Stewart Loy · #15 16-08-05, 13:55

Quote:

Originally posted by zemsi
... off-loading John's Harley WLA from the Ford Ute

Look at the heavy sweaters and touqes on those fellows - it almost looks like if it was another 25 degrees colder it might snow!!

You fellows really know how to do 'winter' down there ...

Stewart

Keith Webb · #16 18-08-05, 07:43

Spotted in Canberra...

Keith Webb · #17 18-08-05, 07:45

Quote:

Originally posted by zemsi
... Gruber's Chevy with a Bedford engine.

Does anybody know something about this vehicle and its unusual water tank?

It's a Pacific fire engine

Keith Webb · #18 19-08-05, 00:50

I've just added a couple of pages of pics I took at the event...

Page 1 which is mostly vehicles...

And Page 2 a mix of vehicles

...and aircraft.

Max Hedges · #19 20-08-05, 04:26

After all the ceremonies our governor general and prime minister met witht he veterans, I assisted father up the steps and stayed with father whilst he spoke with the prime minister and the govenor general, I also managed to shake hand with our prime minister as well which was quite a thrill.

Max

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #20 21-08-05, 02:39

Max
I'm sure our Prime Minister was thrilled to shake your hand. (if you've got it, flaunt it)
Bob