Greece to Normandy Convoy '09 - Page 2

Lang · #31 25-06-08, 00:10

Here is the convoy tentative route. Day one is planned for 01 May 09.

zemsi · #32 29-06-08, 21:41

... that's a little bit small, Lang. I didn't bring my magnifying glasses

Lang · #33 30-06-08, 08:55

Chris,

Yes, it is on a word document which I couldn't figure out how to post so I printed and scanned it with miserable results. Will try to put up a readable document.

Lang

zemsi · #34 30-06-08, 09:29

Hi Lang

Hmm, try to upload it as a pdf, it's a valid file extension. You can make a pdf with OpenOffice, MS Office 2007 or I would recommend (free) FreePDF XP, but you need Ghostscript too.

Greetings
Chris

Hanno Spoelstra · #35 30-06-08, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

Hmm, try to upload it as a pdf, it's a valid file extension.

Or as a .txt file, use the "save as" feature in Word.

H.

zemsi · #36 30-06-08, 15:44

c'mon Hanno, a txt-file. That's pre-DOS era

If you've got the choice between an English girl in fancy passion killers and a Brasilian chica in a ripper thong. What would you take

Have fun
Chris

Lang · #37 01-07-08, 11:30

Thanks to Chris everyone can now see our Normandy Convoy program.

Jan Thompson · #38 01-07-08, 15:17

The program looks good but there are only 30 days in April.

Hanno Spoelstra · #39 01-07-08, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

c'mon Hanno, a txt-file. That's pre-DOS era

If you've got the choice between an English girl in fancy passion killers and a Brasilian chica in a ripper thong. What would you take

I know what I take!

But do you realise some of our members are from the pre-PC era?!?!

H.

Lang · #40 01-07-08, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jan Thompson

The program looks good but there are only 30 days in April.

Jan,

I knew that, I was only testing you.

lang

hrpearce · #41 08-07-08, 04:05

Hi Lang the brain is finally working, I thought I recognised you at Corowa while litening to your talk on Greece to Normandy but it only sank in today when I came in for smoco and the boys had my DVD's of Peking to Paris on. I read the book first then hunted the DVD's down, I enjoyed both.

Lang · #42 31-08-08, 01:45

Having just retured from 6 weeks in Europe flying around in vintage aircraft I now have time to start restoring my Chev ute and get more information to the convoy participants. (Members might be interested to see Youtube - look up "Vimy at Farnborough" or something similar, of a bit of excitement I had at the Farnborough Air Show a couple of weeks ago)

It was nice to catch up with some of the MLU members at Beltring - my impression of my first time visit to this show was it is a very expensive business having anything to do with military vehicles in Europe and UK particularly. There seems to be much less willingness to help each other out for a "carton of beer" or exchange of bits with everything having an increasing price (not just with dealers but amongst the enthusiasts themselves). Everyone understands this but it definitely makes military vehicle ownership a much more competitive and less friendly hobby.

Anyhow, we are lucky in Australia and although that attitude certainly exists with part-time "entrepreneurs", most of our convoy members have had willing help from many people to get their vehicles restored.

Lang

Lang · #43 30-09-08, 12:23

We have just been given a problem with Athens/Piraeus port and our convoy route is about to be hugely altered to start from somewhere else. It is good to see just about everyone involved came back with variations of "I am happy to go along with the majority"

I will put up the new (and I think even better) route for everyone to see as soon as shipping confirmation on the new port arrives.

Lang

Hanno Spoelstra · #44 30-09-08, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lang

It was nice to catch up with some of the MLU members at Beltring - my impression of my first time visit to this show was it is a very expensive business having anything to do with military vehicles in Europe and UK particularly. There seems to be much less willingness to help each other out for a "carton of beer" or exchange of bits with everything having an increasing price (not just with dealers but amongst the enthusiasts themselves). Everyone understands this but it definitely makes military vehicle ownership a much more competitive and less friendly hobby.

Anyhow, we are lucky in Australia and although that attitude certainly exists with part-time "entrepreneurs", most of our convoy members have had willing help from many people to get their vehicles restored.

Beltring is indeed big business. As many shows do, it started small, a local show organised by club members donating their spare time. It has grown into a full-time business with permanent staff who have to earn a living. With entry prices for vehicle exhibitors and stall holders, people tend to feel they have to at least earn their money back.
Positive side of the full-time entrepeneurs in this hobby is that we see parts and vehicles shipped across the globe and money being invested in buying old stock which otherwise would have gone into the skip. I have friends who have invested sizeable sums in buying up spare parts for Sherman tanks, CMP trucks and jeeps which were about to be scrapped. These guys have to charge serious money for their parts to earn their investment in time and money back.

But it is great to see the CMP scene is still dominated by enthusiasts, rather than entrepeneurs.

H.

Hanno Spoelstra · #45 30-09-08, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lang

One more Normandy convoy member has sent a photo of his vehicle.

Which is probably the same as the one being pre-advertised on MilWeb:

Quote:

Studebaker US6 6 x 6
Ground up restoration much attention to detail, photographic records available. Dual fuel LPG/petrol discreetly fitted. Vehicle will be delivered to Normandy June 2009.
£15,000.
23 September '08
Lorraine Cutajar

Lang · #46 01-10-08, 12:43

Hanno,

That indeed is one of our mob. Looks like they are getting in early.

The gas conversion would make the Studebaker much cheaper to run than a jeep in Australia. Nearly every service station here has gas, I don't know its availability or cost in Europe but it should be a big plus.

Lang

Hanno Spoelstra · #47 01-10-08, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lang

The gas conversion would make the Studebaker much cheaper to run than a jeep in Australia. Nearly every service station here has gas, I don't know its availability or cost in Europe but it should be a big plus.

In European countries like The Netherlands, France & Italy LPG-systems have a widespread use. The past decade or so the use of LPG in newly sold cars has been overshadowed by diesel, but LPG is working on a come back with all the "green" discussions going on. I have a new Citroën which runs on LPG. After the first 10.000 km the oil is as clean as on day one. And I love it running my car on what is basically a waste product.

Many of the bigger historic military vehicles like GMCs (and Dodges) here run on LPG. Keep Them Rolling even allows LPG systems in large vehicles (not Jeeps) when scrutinising for originality.

H.

Lang · #48 04-10-08, 08:12

Owing to extreme delays at Athens/Pireaus which may well have put the whole convoy at risk, I have decided to change to another port.

At this stage we are looking at Istanbul. This would give us a very interesting extra leg (get to drive in Asia) but the most important thing will it will allow us to have half a day at ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

If we keep going like this the trip will be so interesting we may never bother to come to Normandy!

Lang

Howard · #49 04-10-08, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

(from This Thread)
...The past decade or so the use of LPG in newly sold cars has been overshadowed by diesel, but LPG is working on a come back with all the "green" discussions going on. I have a new Citroën which runs on LPG. After the first 10.000 km the oil is as clean as on day one. And I love it running my car on what is basically a waste product....
H.

Hanno,
I started a reply to this but don't want to hijack the thread.
Have a look Here

Howard · #50 06-10-08, 03:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemsi

...If you've got the choice between an English girl in fancy passion killers and a Brasilian chica in a ripper thong. What would you take...
Chris

I'd take the Pommy Chick. She's more likely to be an actual chick, rather than an aftermarket conversion.

Howard

Richard Farrant · #51 06-10-08, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard

I'd take the Pommy Chick. She's more likely to be an actual chick, rather than an aftermarket conversion.

Howard

Lang · #52 09-11-08, 23:58

Just to keep everyone posted, here is the shipping list for our ANZAC convoy. We still plan to be driving out of Istanbul 01 May to arrive Normandy in time for the festivities. Some people want to sell their vehicles so look down the list for something that takes your fancy!

Chevrolet Coupe Utility (Aus)
Chevrolet C15A
Chevrolet 1 1/2ton 4X4
Jeep
Chevrolet C15
Jeep
Jeep
Jeep
Studebaker US6
Harley-Davidson WLA
Jeep
Chevrolet 3ton 4X2 (Lend-lease style)
Ford Heavy Utility
Chevrolet C15A Radio Van
Jeep
Dodge 1/2 ton Closed Cab WC
Steyr light truck

Sydneymver · #53 12-11-08, 12:20

Lang,

Can you please specify what grounds at Etreham the campsite is located please.

Bruce McCann
Sydney NSW

Lang · #54 12-11-08, 22:30

Bruce,

As far as I am aware there is only one campground at Etreham (we stayed there in 2004). It is a tiny village not far from Port-en-Bessin. It is a standard tourist park, not just a D-Day temporary site - really easy to see on Google Earth.
Lang

Sydneymver · #55 13-11-08, 05:48

Thanks Lang,
I currently have a booking in Carentan, but i wouldn't mind staying where you guys are, so will see if i can organise that, i wasn't aware that there was only one camping ground in the town.

Many Thanks
Bruce McCann

Sydneymver · #56 14-11-08, 08:04

Hi Too all,

I had no luck in securing a place at your camping grounds and was up all night trying to get a better location than the one i currently have in Carentan.
It looks as i may be staying in the Sea side resort of "Port-en-Bessin"
I won't have a Military Vehicle with me ( i will enjoy not working on one) but will definately keep a look out for you fellow Aussies, my hire car will have a 65th D-Day Anniversary" number plate in the rear window, and my wife will be looking anywhere there isn't a green machine nearby-------but i will be !!!

Bruce McCann
Sydney
44 mb
45 Number 4 Trailer
52 Dodge M37
And massive Corowa Attendee !!!!!!!!!

Lang · #57 14-11-08, 08:13

Bruce,

If you are not with a group Port-en-Bessin is hard to beat. It is only tiny but there are some fantastic waterfront restaurants. It will take you about 5 minutes to drive or half an hour to walk to Etreham and I am sure there will be seats available in green machines for runs.

Lang

Sydneymver · #58 14-11-08, 22:14

Thanks Lang,

Well i have my booking confirmed at the Ibis Bayeux Port En Bessin , my wife is a bit more exited about that than the Camping ground in Carentan i had previously arranged and will now cancel).
The village does look great and we are 5k from the Memorial museum, and we are right on Omaha Beach.
We will definately catch up with you guys over there for sure.
Thanks for your help Lang.

Bruce McCann

Lang · #59 14-11-08, 23:18

Bruce,

Here are some photos Bev took out of the Beech 18 I was flying in France last month. The weather was absolute crap and I was possibly below legal height but we got the view. Port-en-Bessin, the artificial harbour at Aramanches, Omaha Beach Memorial, USA War Cemetary Omaha and Mont St Michel (on our convoy schedule).

Lang

Lang · #60 14-11-08, 23:21

Mont St Michel and the Beech I was flying.