So following on from my previous post the building up to A&E 2026 was happening, with the wagon running sweet the only thing required was filling up, now to say running any of these vehicles doesn't hurt the wallet would be lying, however the enjoyment and the ability to honour those who went before us far out weighs a monetary value.

Guernsey fielded a larger contingent this year with two halftracks, an M8 and a WC-52.

Lined up awaiting the ferry (luckily this year it arrived in to the UK during daylight hours)


Once in Poole we met up with an old friend who took over as lead vehicle and nav bringing us into D5, the run up was enjoyable, I did however notice a lack of top end and power due to the new tracks (this was expected and didn't cause any major issues).

Arrival to D5 camp was quickly established and we got ready for the run to Weymouth for fish and chips.


At this point we noticed the M8 had developed a flat tyre due to the innertube leaking at the valve stem, as normal with these events a mad 5 of arms, legs and tools set to work and Graham came up trumps with a spare inner tube, ( the community spirit within this event is truly amazing), unfortunately we did not have enough time to get it all back together prior to the run down to Weymouth so the crew jumped into the other HT and off we went.




Once we were fed the drive back along the quiet country roads did  throw up a couple of breakdowns that were soon hooked up to the wreckers and recovered to camp, we immediately set back to work on the M8 and got her ready for the next day.

 

Morning Alan... the call of the tour, Saturday morning was a lovely drive through winding lanes, Morton ford and onto the tank museum




The afternoon took us across the bovvy training area before parking up with a Chally 2 and CRARRV before heading into Dorchester for the public display.


Sunday was an amazing drive through lanes and private land too and from Martins Town, where we had a fantastic Hog roast.


The event ended on Sunday evening with the wagons all a little dirtier than when they started.


Our ferry was the Monday and after nearly 200mi on these new tracks I definitely felt that they have bedded in nicely and it was certainly noticeable on the return run.

Nice your getting the old girl out and about.

Updates once again.

So after the successful trip around Europe it was time to prepare for liberation day. This of course meant the fitting of the shinny new tracks, these are from Stefan and welcomingly come with new drive sprockets as mine were starting to show a fair amount of wear. The tracks fitted with no problem and following the instructions to check all guides both prior to fitting and after the first run a few were found slightly loose but nothing of great concern. (having now done over 200mi and no issues at all).

Liberation day was a fairly uneventful day in terms of Berlin Blitzer, she ran beautifully with the new radiator and tracks, all slow speed along the coast and into town to park up for the public display, the drive home however was a little more interesting, a lack of power, large backfires and a few cut outs at idle meant it was a slow limp home ( I was told flames could be seen shooting out the exhaust). Once back home it was park it up and walk away for the evening, I'm now in a situation where certain things like this are not mission critical so I don't need to be diagnosing/fixing faults until the early hours (unless I want to).

The next morning I started with the simple stuff and pulled the plugs, all looking good despite the idling and slow speeds the day before, thinking over the fault I pulled out my spares box from the rear locker and swapped over the condenser, instant success, no more issues and running like a champ. (not bad as I've no idea how old that condenser was as it was the one fitted when I purchased it).

A month later (June)  and I'm sat on the docks with an M9A1 and an M8 ready for another fantastic event that is Armour and Embarkation. (Pics and run down to follow shortly)

Hello - I’m about to pick up a M2A1 with the rubber tracks -  wondering about historical plates and driving it locally to and from parades and such -  allowed? Any info appreciated

I bought Paul's halftrack a few years ago so I suspect that he no longer visits the site. I dont know if she has the pattern for halftracks, but I just had Mona at New Life Canvas in Minnesota make me a beautiful canvas set for my WC63. might be worth a call