Our LRDG Chev

[Andrew H.]

Our man collected the Aussie tyres yesterday - thanks Lang! All we have to do now is get them across the ditch

We have made more progress with the truck lately and now have the rear body permanently attached. On Tuesday we went for a short drive to test the brakes (see pic) and we are pleased that they work well. We are determined to display our Chev at the annual Armistice Day commemorations at Lake Karapiro on 12th and 13th November. She is not yet road-legal so we will take her over there on the back of a low-loader truck. We still have a lot of last-minute jobs to finish before then and even when they are finished she will still not be complete. For example there is still no proper petrol tank under the seat, no parking lights, no blackout light, no external condenser, no sand channels, bush bar, tail-gate chains, tool boxes, can-holders, folding aero-screens, greedy-boards, gun-mounts - the list seems endless. But we are determined to get her to Karapiro come what may!

[Andrew H.]

On Saturday we took "Te Aroha III" to the annual Armistice Day display at Lake Karapiro, where we joined up with the other LRDG enthusiasts in jeeps and Chev 1533X2 trucks like ours. It was a great day and the culmination of six years hard work by our team. Brendan O'Carroll, author of "Kiwi Scorpions" and other well-known LRDG books was there too - that's him standing at left-centre in Arab head-dress (next to David Sterling of SAS fame!). Later we re-enacted a battle involving the LRDG and the Afrika Korps using large amounts of blank .303 ammunition, with our position being reconnoitered by a genuine Feisler Storch spotter plane. Our truck performed very well and we look forward to similar occasions in future.

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

On Saturday we took "Te Aroha III" to the annual Armistice Day display at Lake Karapiro, where we joined up with the other LRDG enthusiasts in jeeps and Chev 1533X2 trucks like ours. It was a great day and the culmination of six years hard work by our team. Brendan O'Carroll, author of "Kiwi Scorpions" and other well-known LRDG books was there too - that's him standing at left-centre in Arab head-dress (next to David Sterling of SAS fame!). Later we re-enacted a battle involving the LRDG and the Afrika Korps using large amounts of blank .303 ammunition, with our position being reconnoitered by a genuine Feisler Storch spotter plane. Our truck performed very well and we look forward to similar occasions in future.

What old bean one of these things? 1938 demonstration film Accessed November 15, 2016 from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDcB0pSUYOI Some more modern clips 2016 Acccessed November 15, 2016 from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8rwgm5sFs + https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o43AS_s_zYg & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVaUDy-Omn8

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Andrew H.]

Yes, the very same plane. Not sure who owns it, but it was also at a previous Karapiro event. It hovered over us, hardly even moving, informing the enemy of our movements. Heavy AA fire from our trucks seemed not to worry it at all

In Libya during WWII the LRDG were being followed and watched by a Storch when it landed to confer with some enemy officers on the ground. Two LRDG men hiding nearby, ran over capturing the Germans and burning their plane before they knew what hit them.

[Jacques Reed]

This may be of interest:

Attached are three photos I took in 2006 of a Fieseler Storch being restored at Tyabb Victoria. At the time I was told it would be the only one that will be restored to airworthy condition using an original engine.

As many of us know the most famous use of a Storch was the recue of Mussolini from his Italian captors by the Germans. The mountain top takeoff was a sight to see. I'm sure a net search will yield the filmed event as I have seen it on a WW2 documentary.

Cheers,

[Jacques Reed]

Further to previous post does anyone know if this is the same plane now based in NZ and seen at Lake Karapiro recently?

Not many left in the world so it is a good possibility.

Cheers,

[Andrew H.]

On Saturday we had a BBQ to celebrate the completion of our truck, inviting all who had helped us or shown an interest the project. Over the last six years we have received considerable help from local people, including businesses which have given us big discounts on materials and individuals who helped us with their skills or advice. It seems that some Te Aroha people recognize that the project is of special significance to the town. Brendan O'Carroll lent us some of his Arab head-dresses for the photo shoot. However I think we have some way to go before we learn how to wear them with panache.