GPA wanted in Australia to build Half-Safe Replica

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Lynn,
We actually had Half Safe attend the Corowa GPA Swim-In in 1999 and it was made roadworthy for the parade, by the late Bob Dimer. I recall Jan driving it across the campsite. There was no way the school would have let it go in the water, it is kept in its own glass fronted building at Guildford Grammar School, WA.

regards, Richard

[Lynn Eades]

Thats the place Richard, where it is in the photos.

[Mike K]

If anyone wants to learn about Ben Carlin's epic adventures, then a good starting point - get hold of his book HALF SAFE . There are plenty of used copies around . The book is a first hand story written by the guy himself.

Channel 7 are only interested in ratings . I wouldn't let them or any TV station anywhere near a GPA - they are likely to do horrible stunts with a GPA , even sinking it for the dramatic effect . I wonder if Channel 7 will mention the book and promote it, I very much doubt they will . Mike

[Richard Farrant]

There was another book by Ben Carlin, called "The Other Half of Half-Safe" and published by Guildford Grammar School. It covers the initial journey ending in England, then the period of rebuilding and the continuation of the journey through Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Canada and back to Montreal.
ISBN 0 9598731 1 2
A recommended read.

cheers Richard

[motto]

There is a third book titled 'Once a Fool' written by a fellow named Boye De Mente who was co-driver from Tokyo to Alaska after Ben's wife Elinore went home to the states.
It gives a different view of Ben whilst taking nothing away from his abilities as a seaman, navigator and mechanic.
Somewhere there is also a TV program featuring interviews with Ben, possibly by Lowell Thomas and/or National Geographic.
Another program was a segment on the ABC's now defunct 'Can We Help' TV series. This can be viewed on Youtube. Type in Ben Carlin.

David

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

1955 Newsreel footage of Half Safe swimming near Melbourne, before my time, but I do have a copy of the book signed by the Carlins from that visit. Great story indeed, and amazing to see it at Corowa in '99, no idea it was yellow until then, never showed up in the B/W photos!
Rich.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/th...uery/Melbourne

[maple_leaf_eh]

I believe the amphibious versions of the Jeep and the Schwimm command premium prices due to their versatility and novelty. But like the Amphicar, the actual vehicles suffer from the tyranny of engineering and materials, not to mention seasworthiness.

Good luck with the project whoever gets it.

I was going to suggest a VISMOD using a modern chassis and engine ... but the Lady Duck was just such a heavily modified truck cum amphibian and it capsized in the Ottawa River in 2002. Several passengers drowned, the company had to admit negligence and the regulators sucked their chair cushions in through the rectum. A completely avoidable accident.

canada.com/story_print.html?id=ac6318b5-6984-4b28-bd2f-a5de755328ee

[Keith Webb]

we are hoping to modify an existing Ford GPA into a replica of the Half-Safe. We want to know how difficult this task was? We want to know if this will work? We want to then launch the vehicle into the ocean and take it into the open ocean. I must also stress that Channel 7 will cover the costs. I understand that Ford GPA’s are quite expensive but if we can find a cheap one, all the better!
We would look to start filming in the first quarter of next year with an airing date of mid next year. This part of the story would involve filming the planning and building process right through to launching into the ocean. I must stress that it does not have to be an exact replica of the ‘Half-Safe’.

I hope they have a $100k plus budget to acquire an amphibious Jeep and do the build!
I wouldn't be surprised if they're thinking they can pick one up for a few hundred.