Ice Cold in Alex

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Ok, so before the dementia sets in with all the Movie Bloopers, we have covered that as well:

http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...movie+mistakes

http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...light=bloopers

Time to hand out the meds?
Rich

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The film/movie is on British satellite TV as I type. The 4x4 system was clearly visible, and when they ascend the slope, the front axle was definitely Chevy-looking from the front! That is, banjo type.

OTT but was Carslberg beer available in in Egypt or anywhere else for that matter during the war? Outside Europe that is.

[Ron Pier]

Hi David. Nothing to do with this thread but I notice you are in the Forest. I like the fact that when I ride one of my old military bikes, I can be in the Forest in about 15-20 minutes. I'm just on the edge of Bournemouth. Ron

[malcolm erik bogaert]

yes saw the film again today and wondered if the old chesnut would come up on the forum again...reme unit in Libya was asked to help the film company and produced a K9 variant with K2 body in fact it sems they made more than one!¬Im sure this argument will run for years.....watched an Italian made desert war film last week on sky and they where using a series 1 landrover whilst the germ,ans where using gaz 69's and the obligitary white half-track!cheers malcolm

[Richard Farrant]

Just to put this one to bed......, I was looking through some old vintage commercial vehicle magazines and found a letter in one which gives the final word on 4x4 K2 ambulance saga. It was written by David Beckett, who I know is a MV enthusiast, because a friend of mine, bought his Austin K6 Gantry some years ago.

The story goes that in November 1957, he was in the RASC and posted to 1 Coy RASC at Medienene Bks in Tripoli. On arrival he noticed a K2 ambulance parked by the guardroom with "Katy" painted on the front. After a while he thought it strange that it never moved. One night he was duty corporal at the guardroom, so enquired about the K2, to be told it was owned by a film company who were making a film in the desert. There were in fact, two Katies, the other one was in the REME workshops being modified to 4x4. The next day, David visited the Workshops to find the ambulance modification completed. The REME's first thoughts were to use a K5 front axle, but that was not possible due to differing axle ratios, and it was too large. After a bit of thinking they used the transfer box, front and rear axles from.........wait for it...a Canadian Ford Gun Tractor.

[Little Jo]

Richard

Now we all know the true story and straight from the horse's mouth. We can now move on and see if we can find another problem to solve. I have loved the thread and interesting comments and good natured banter. I hope this never stops as that is what MLU is all about. "The facts and nothing but the facts".

Yesterday I started up the engine on my 1942 MB Willys Jeep restoration project. (She who must be obeyed refused permission to work on Xmas Day.) The engine is now purring like a kitten, so I can continue putting it all back together, as you will see I am doing her in the desert colour.

Happy New Year to all and a great MLU 2011.

Cheers

Little Jo

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

However, the front axle is a Chevrolet-style banjo-type and not a Ford split-type. It must therefore have been an early FGT with Chevrolet (McKinnon) front axle unless it was a service replacement? I find it difficult to imagine that any FGTs were still in service by then, and query whether it was a derelict-find? It would have had to be a #12 cab if it was an original fitment. That said 'Gun Tractor' could have meant a CMP truck GT! I would still be surprised that any CMPs were on active servioce by then and again wonder if it was a 'find'?

Does that make sense?