JEEP NEWS

PRESIDENT Cliff Bambridge—thebambos@bigpond.com

EDITOR and MEMBERSHIP

Mitch Holland—mitchtez@gmail.com

The e—Newsletter JULY 2015

Volume Number No.163 BEEE

Morning Tea! Coops and his neighbour, Cliff,

enjoy a nice Bonnet Morning Tea, out in the

Forests north of Dazza’s at Taree, the other week,

while attending the great XMAS in JULY Bash.

Sue Sweet and Lyn Coleman are in the

background. FULL REPORT within!

What are you viewing through your windscreen? - John Cooper

Part Beeee again. Nice to have lots of stuff to use.

Keep it up Champions, as I keep saying - “No use having

a Jeep News, if you don’t share that with us all!”

Plenty of stuff coming up in the later half of the year.

Full report on the recent XMAS in JULY Event.

Plenty of fun was had by the handful of members who

attended. There was a few more, but circumstances pre-

vented them at the last minute, as it does from time to

time. Plenty of others out there though, who would thor-

oughly enjoy themselves, if they could only just let go of

the remote, get off the lounge, dust off the old girl, head

to the shed, unwrap their Jeep, pack a few bits and pieces

and come along! You will love it! And we will love you.

Mitch

SIGNALS

UNOFFICIAL (For anyone not attending the XMAS Bash at Cullen or those South of Sydney - an alternative)

Each year the organisers of the Albatross Show N Shine endeavour to show case a variety of special interest vehicles to gain greater public interest in the show which in turns provides us with extra funds for our nominated charity organisations. The show is not for profit and all money raised goes to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group (ALDS). As we are not for profit, we are unable to assist in any fuel or accommodation costs. This year we would like to invite owners of ex military vehicles to the show. If there is interest, please let me know. Date for the event is Sunday 29 November 2015. Cheers,

Stu Walters

Tel: 02 935 94369 Fax: 02 935 93660

A clearing sale will be held on 8 August 2015, by www.bollerco.com.au of Cooma. One of the highlights will

be the GAZ 67B. A WW2 Soviet 4WD, 3.3L engine. Based on the model A ford, this is one of two Gaz' in

Australia. Also is a Russian Motorcycle and sidecar. Further info from the above web page. Info thanks to Cam

Jeep News No163B - July 2015 - Page 3

OFF THE INTERNET

Or Facebook somewhere!

For a great story (thanks Graeme), on a recovered Spitfire,

its restoration with great history and pics, go to website link. http://www.christies.com/spitfire/interactive/index.html

I know a lot over the years have joined this

worldwide Association for their excellent

publications, however those that haven’t

might not be aware of this offer?

STANDING

ORDERS

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT OF

YOUR “NEWS” - Read it and act! No use having a

Jeep tucked away in the shed if you don't use it!!

REMEMBER THE SLOGAN!!!

STICK THIS ON YOUR BED HEAD

Shannons Sydney Classic - Sunday 16 August 10am.

1900 vehicles from 150 clubs on display at Sydney

Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek. $20 adults, kids free.

VJ - Day - Sunday 23rd August - FREE BBQ

(well intended for AMVCS Members - however ……

If you book with Kenny, the offer has been generously

extended to WW2 Jeeps NSW members, but you

MUST BOOK WITH HIM. See the flier page 6 & 7

At Kokoda Track Memorial, Concord West in Sydney.

Thirlemere Train Weekend - Sunday 13 September

Full details also from Ken on the VJ Flier.

Linnwood House Day Sunday 13 September This day has been a follow on since our great 70 Year

Bash back in 2011, however due to falling numbers,

particularly from our slack arse Sydney membership,

has been combined with other clubs just to bolster the

numbers, but lets see if we can return ourselves to the

top of the drawcard! Combined with “The Trevor

Thomas Big Likes (Bike) Day”

Flick us an email you Sydneysiders and get your Jeeps

out here, or I might just give you the flick!

NATIONAL JEEP JAMBOREE 2015 Thursday 1 October to Monday 5 October at Rydal in

NSW - See the flier opposite and get jiggy!

EARLY BIRD Registrations close soon

BACK to HARTLEY - Sunday 25th OCTOBER

Day run to help raise money for a worth cause.

Full Details in a later Edition of the Jeep News

WARBIRDS 2015 - You have had plenty of op-

portunity, so if your not Jiggy already, you may

not be able to Jig!

XMAS BASH 2015 - Yes the famous Xmas Bash

will be on again at the Shed in Cullen Bullen.

Full details later, BUT, put the date in your diary!

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November THIS YEAR

What’s ON at …

MARATHON?

37th. Corowa & Swim - In - 14 to 20 March 2016

Details and forms in a later edition, but ….

If you don’t get their excellent newsletter, then

perhaps you should consider getting in contact and

then try and get down there.

Contact details: KVE Secretary, 9/1 Millett Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia Phone: 0423 943 010 Email: kveinc@optusnet.com.au Website: http://corowaswim-in.org

For those planning a trip to the US next year, then this info might be of use in your planning?

Pleasanton, California, 11-13 August 2016:

41st Annual MVPA National Convention.

The Military Vehicle Preservation Association

will hold its 41st annual convention in

Pleasanton, California. Make sure and pre-

register and visit one of our “sister” groups, the

Northern Recon Group members.

Actually, I do know …. Cams Jeep and Trailer are

in for some professional help to ensure its in tip

top condition

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 5

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 8

More—”What can we find

on THE INTERNET?” from CAM FINLAY

WW2 Jeeps NSW bonafide members

would note a lot of stuff gets

forwarded on pronto, but these pages

are a continuation of all things Jeep

and Military or just plain quirky as

found on the net by Cam in his

endless research. Some you may have

seen before.

One of my favourite Book stores is

having a Sale. Opposite is one page of

a 12 page cattledog and you can get a

copy or request a “hard to find” book

from Judy on the opposite contact

numbers

Thanks Mate, we say!

USAAF Flexible Gunnery School Army Air Forces Training

Command Aircraft mounted on a jeep fired on by Army Air Forces

gunnery trainee. Combat training can be hazardous, though, and

residents learned to mix their pride in the school with their grief for

victims of training accidents. In just eight days in March 1942, four

airmen were killed in three separate accidents.

I wonder if the Jeep had a driver when they had the “accidents” ?

Crated Jeep, hardly used 1962 Willys

Hotchkiss. Ring for info or email and more

pictures, part exchange considered. £11,000.

“hardly used”…..thats cos its in a bloody crate….. CHECK IT OUT http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=77569&cat=13

Canadian Film Unit - Cam reckons that they

are assembled for a group photo, prior to get-

ting out there and gathering some Jeep News

for us all!!!???

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 10

Well we pushed it and pushed it, got a number of

interested members, but not in the same league as

the great event at his old Moto property, (near

Landsdowne). The 2003 XMAS BASH. (attended

by 17 Jeeps and 44 bods. See JN No.76 Dec of 03)

Me and Rach set off on a chilly Thursday morning,

met Terry at Agnes Banks, then Brian and Sue at

Wisemans Ferry to eventually have a cuppa and a

lamington with Ted at Murrays Run Culvert, 9k’s

outside of Wollombi. We then adjourned for lunch

and cleansing ale at the famous Tavern before

continuing north to Broke for petrol on our way to

Parkville to stay at Billycan and Annette’s place.

OUT & ABOUT

@ DAZZA & LYN’S

Pics by Rach, Gary Williams,

Jackooo and Mitch

Next day with Bill and brother Stan as co pilot, three Jeeps and one Cruiser, headed east over the Barringtons

to Gloucester, extricating a stricken Elders Real Estate Agent from a bog on a property within cooee of our

2006 XMAS BASH location at Cobark, along the way. Turns out they were looking at cattle belonging to

Hollydene Estate supremo, Gary Williams and missed a soft patch in the long dry grass, hopelessly bogging

their Prado a short distance from the road. Not many passer-by’s weekdays, however a fortunate stop by

Terry, while awaiting a few to descend the “hill” allowed them plenty of time to grab his attention to their

predicament. With them back on solid ground and a promise of a box of their finest red for the XMAS Bash,

we chortled off. Gary writes “Thanks again for the assistance last Friday. It was going to be a long Friday

night had your group not ventured past and helped. I was up at our property “Twin Rivers”, with Peter

Sawyer (on the winch rope), of Elders Scone and Denis McGrath (in the tie) of Elders Dubbo, who buy and

sell our cattle. Upon driving around the paddock in a Prado Peter had borrowed, it soon became apparent

upon bogging to the axles that the vehicle had slick tyres, no winch and became no match for the water-

logged black Cobark soil. Earlier in the day I had commented to Peter and Denis when I had met them at

Moonan Flat on the way over the tops that “I had seen three old WW2 Willys Jeeps between Gundy and

Moonan heading to the tops and may be good luck for them we were going over and back as they might need

a hand as it’s a long haul over the mountain for these old Jeeps”. Irony would have it 3 hours later the “old

Jeep” became our saviour of the Prado more than 70 years their junior?? Thanks again, Gary”.

Top - Crews on the Tops, bloody cold up

there, but imagine what it would have been

like a week or so later!!!

RESCUE 7 - (queue the music) ….

Missing and in the vehicles, Sue and Rach

Very hard to spot the bog in the long dry

looking grass!!

Elders Real Estate and the Team after the “Rescue”

Check out Hollydene Estate at www.hollydeneestate.com

After a short stop in Gloucester, much later than anticipated, we headed over to Wingham and onto Daryl’s in

time to set up camp in his large yard. Saturday dawned fine and along with Coops and Daryl in their Jeeps and

another local member Warren in his souped up Nissan, we set off on “Daryl’s Magical Mystery Tour” circuit

that he promised will take all day. Didn’t take long before Billycan got his levers mixed up requiring a short

snatch to terra firma and then a few hundred metres further, Daryl got himself hopelessly stuck in his boggy

route that required a winch backwards from the Nissan. Not before the ladies abandoned ship since it was

leaning against the embankment at a most uncomfortable angle!

Following that Warren thought he could prove a point with his V8 powered, diff locked and well elevated

monster that growled and roared as it chopped at the embankment and when all seemed lost, managed to surge

sideways along the deep muddy rut at breakneck revs to emerge in a cloud of smoke and steam from a broken

water pump shaft, that spun off the fan and propelled it into the rear of the radiator, ending his potential day of

rescuing Jeeps. After all that excitement and then getting him back out onto the access road for later retrieval by

Richard, we decided on morning tea with probably just a mere 5 kilometres done.

(It’s gunna be a looooong day!)

Top: Bill and Coop and

Daryl leading the way?

Whoops! On both counts -

Daryl & Warren.

Warren - “Hey, that don’t

look right? And ..

“Reckon this’ll fix it!?”

And finally …. “Ohhh -

OUCH”

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 12

No matter how hard he tried, Dazza

was always going to end up in that

ditch!

“Ready? - Take ‘er away mate”!

One hole proved a few Jeeps their

undoing, mostly for taking it too hot!

More fun on the ups and downs, with the odd bog in-between, tested the little Jeeps to the max and apart from a

few overzealous entries into what looked like Jeep swallowing quagmires, all survived to a late lunch in a nice

sunny quarry. After that, it was up hill again on a track that tested the 4WD Action Magazine crew recently to

eventually turn our heads for home, but not before one recently bulldozed track that resembled something you

see in the WW2 history books in New Guinea! With all making it look easy, slipping and sliding from side to

side. (I wonder how the Prado would handle that Gary, Peter and Denis????)

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 14

Happy as Pigs in Shit! Errr Mud.

Waiting back at Daryl’s was Jeepless Cliff and Deb, along with several other family members, intently

watching our Camp oven Chefs, Ron and Leona, doing their stuff for what was an excellent XMAS in July

Dinner with all the usual trimmings. Donations received for the feast where collected and subsequently

donated to Legacy. A trivia quiz hastily arranged by quizmaster Cliff, kept the mood high and it was won with

a score of 17 out of 20 by Warren. The prize donated by Daryl, of a Jeep shovel and special toilet roll holder

seemed all to appropriate given his actions earlier that day!

A long - long jovial night ensured by the fires with plenty of tales, tall and true.

For the southerners, a late pack up and departure saw the 3 Jeeps back to Gloucester via a scenic route passing

Bundook, then back over the tops to “Linga Longa” at Gundy. (Traditional refreshment stop of many a trek to

Tamworth for ANZAC Day), eventually arriving back for dinner and warm beds at Bill and Annette’s. Final

day saw the two Jeeps head further west and south to Rylstone and then over the mountains home.

750 miles added, plenty of laughs and memories for those that attended. For those that didn’t – well you

missed out again! Might be time to move on and release custodianship of your Jeep to someone who cares?

Sir Ron and Lady Leona, (earned after many

years service to the Wingham Community),

serving up a great Camp Oven cooked Xmas

feast for us.

Daryl’s grass non destroying fireplaces were

a hit well into the evening.

WW2 Jeepers, enjoying the feed.

Warren and his prize!

Hi Everyone, I received Mitch's News Letter last month and in the following email conversation I asked him

why doesn't he have a "What's happening in my shed" article in the news letter, so as it was my suggestion, I

figure I should start. (We have tried it before and you have to go back to Jeep News No.98 August 07 - Ed)

Well, I don't have a shed only a small garage in Brisbane. My present project is, lets say it's a

"Willisjeepestslattis" and it is being built with more than one Jeep model from 1941 through to 1952 with late

model brakes, power plant and it must be an auto, as my knees are shot.

I can just see the blood pressure rising from the purist and F bolt polishers, "He’s done what with a

slat grill and a 3B?"! Firstly I have restored a Ford GPW and I found the process, while interesting at times, mostly mundane

and boring, you have a book to guide you and plenty of advice from the inter web, but you don't get to think

design and change, make it better, if that is possible? I must add if you see a rebuilt Jeep on ANZAC day,

there is nothing more patriotic. However, showing cars or dogs is not my thing. Dogs should be judged on

their brains and the work they do and so should cars - reliability, design and usability, not the amount of

money you put in.

I was at a friends place and next to his chicken house was a 3B Willys in all the rubbish, rat shit,

chicken feathers and other future projects also there was a cal of the very early Willys, lets say as far as I can

find out, at home I also had a early bonnet with rubber bonnet stops plus guards and a lot of other Jeep parts I

dug out of the ground in western Queensland.

The 3B must be the ugliest Jeep ever built by Willys, looking at the 3B it said to me "Ken please give

me a new face and a bigger heart ",anyway it was one of those great Queensland days and standing in the sun

in front of this pile of junk, silly moments happen and a project came to life.

Well, what if I cut the 3B in half and fitted the early Willys front then cut the whole car in half again

and made a Ute and then see what I've got?

The photo is where I am at the moment, all the body work completed, running gear is still being sorted,

systems to be installed, brakes, electrics etc, plenty of work, but I love it. I won't be painting, just natural, I

think it is harder to make something look old than new. If you are interested I will from time to time give an

update. I have a challenge: If you see the Jeep around, I have used one F bolt, see if you can find it.!

Thanks Mitch for your great news letter, I like everyone else enjoy reading, seeing all the adventures

Jeep people go on, It's a big country and there is nothing better than traveling in an old Willys or Ford Jeep no

matter what you have done to it, just keep them on the road and drive them.

Old Jeeps mean different things to different people always respect them. Thanks Everyone, Ken.

What’s been happening in my Shed

Ken (“Sir Fish ‘n Chips“) Hurling

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 17

A first-grade teacher, Ms Brooks, was having trouble with one of her more precocious students. The teacher asked, 'Harry, what exactly is your problem?' Harry answered, 'I'm too smart for the 1st grade. My sister is in the 3rd grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the 3rd grade too!' Ms.Brooks finally had enough. She took Harry to the principal's office. While Harry waited in the outer office, the teacher explained the situation to the principal. The principal told Ms Brooks he would give the boy a test. If he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the 1st grade and behave. She agreed. Harry was brought in and the conditions were explained to him and he happily agreed to take the test. Principal: 'What is 3 x 3?' Harry: '9..' Principal: 'What is 6 x 6?' Harry: '36.' And so it went with every question the principal thought a bright 3rd grader should know. The principal looks at Ms. Brooks and tells her, 'Y’ know I reckon Harry can go to the 3rd grade'. But Ms. Brooks is still skeptical of the little bugger and says to the principal, 'Not so fast, let me ask him a few questions..' The principal and Harry both agree. Ms Brooks asks, 'What does a cow have four of that I have only two of?' Harry, after a moment: 'Legs..' Ms Brooks: 'What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?' The principal wondered why would she ask such a question! Harry replied: 'Pockets..’ to the Principal’s great relief. Ms. Brooks: 'What does a dog do that a man steps into?' Harry: 'Pants.' By now, the principal is sitting forward with his mouth hanging open. Ms Brooks: 'What goes in hard and pink then comes out soft and sticky?' Now the principal's eyes open really wide and before he could intervene, Harry replied, 'Bubble gum.' Ms Brooks: 'What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and a dog does on three legs?' Harry: 'Shake hands.' The principal is now trembling with apprehension as Ms. Brooks asks the last question. Ms. Brooks: 'What word starts with an 'F' and ends in 'K' and indicates a great deal of heat and excitement?' Harry: 'Firetruck.' The principal breaths a huge sigh of relief and tells the teacher, 'Put the little bugger in 5th Grade, I got the last seven questions wrong myself.'

DAZZA’S Joke Page - (Well this one can’t be credited to him, but seeing that he has given me several

sheets, it might be in amongst the several normal sources of good humorous material that we like to use!

Thought for the Day - No matter how well you Nurse a Grudge, it will never get any better!

The Doctor finds he has a blocked toilet, so he rings up a Plumber, who says he will be around

shortly.

He asks the Doctor - “Do you know what time it is?”

The Doctor tells him it’s 6:30 pm.

The Plumber arrives half an hour later, looks into the loo, then throws in two aspirin in the bowl.

Tells the Doctor “If it’s no better, then better give us a call in the morning!”

“HANG ON

BROTHER”

A learner driver miraculously emerged unscathed after colliding with a British tank in Germany. The driver of the tank, a 24-year-old British national, was unable to stop the vehicle hitting the car and it overran the front of it. The dra-matic picture, released by police in Lippe, shows the left side of the car and front wheel crunched under the weight of the 62-tonne tank. The damage to the car was estimated at about £8,500. The Challenger 2 was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defence Systems, now known as BAE Systems.

Jeep News No.163B - July 2015 - Page 18

A few random photos taken in the endless travels of an old mate of

the Ed’s, who likes to share stuff. Right, a Jeep in the “Vintage Wings

of Canada” hangar at Gatineau airfield, just out of Ottawa, Canada. Below: Recently seen on Norfolk Island in a small private museum,

was this Jeep, trailer and Ford Truck, as well as the Search light, that

was being used as a garden bed before being restored. It’s called the

“Norfolk Island Museum of Transport and Technology”, right next to

the airport boundary.

I had to ask …. Its out west of Brisbane somewhere! Details on the above website - www.wattsbridge.com.au