Greece to Normandy Convoy '09

[Lang]

We have 4 days to go before flying to Istanbul to meet the mob (I have not actually met everyone on the expedition yet).

A number of people are doing blogs for everyone to follow, I am sure when reading them you will wonder if we are on the same trip!

As I get the addresses I will put them up here on MLU but in the meantime, Bev and I have rehashed our old web site :

www.next-horizon.org

This will have regular updates and photos. Hopefully the ones next week are not of drama and a saga about us slashing our wrists on the dock in Istanbul trying to deal with Turkish customs.

Lang

[jim sewell]

What is the availability of spare parts either NOS or second hand in Europe , ( Turkey, Greece , Italy and France) for WW 2 vehicles that we will be using on the Gallipoli to Normandy run . Vehicles that are participating are Chevs , Fords, Dodges, Studebaker, Jeeps and a Harley D. Some of the Chevs have 1950's motors fitted ie 235's .
Were any Chev trucks imported into Europe after the war as in the 1950's ?

It would be handy to know of any sources that maybe available in case of emergencies .
Thanks
Regards
Jim S
C15 Wireless Van

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

SO.... the Big Question - who's going along to document this marvelous enterprise? Lang, I do so hope you left some room for our Keefy on this - he's rather good at it, y'know!

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball

SO.... the Big Question - who's going along to document this marvelous enterprise? Lang, I do so hope you left some room for our Keefy on this - he's rather good at it, y'know!

Geoff, both myself and a producer went to great lengths to pitch this to TV networks here last year and they couldn't have been less interested.

It frankly disappoints me how complete crap is funded for television while interesting and significant events such as this are ignored. And it's not as though the organisers and crew are amateurs either.

[Lang]

Jif,

Keith did his best but as he said, hit brick walls.

We have a few HD and SD cameras with us and if we shoot a million hours there might be something mixed with original historic footage that can be done.

Making movies is the last priority so I suppose we will see what we have at the end - at least something to bore the grandkids with.

Lang

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Lang

Jif,

Keith did his best but as he said, hit brick walls.

We have a few HD and SD cameras with us and if we shoot a million hours there might be something mixed with original historic footage that can be done.

Making movies is the last priority so I suppose we will see what we have at the end - at least something to bore the grandkids with.

Lang

Keefy, I'm so sorry about that... this seems to be almost ideal for you! You're quite right ref your judgment about the trash that the networks DO show these days... this would appeal to a great percentage of the Silent Majority, methinks...

Lang... I saw your Peking-Paris thingy on Discovery and thought it was wonderful - I'm only sorry I didn't record it. I haven't seen your Vimy episode yet but am watching for it... it WILL show up again eventually! The thing is, with those in mind, why not this adventure too? It doesn't make any sense...

[Snowy]

For everyone involved, have a good and safe trip, and looking forward to hearing about as many of these historic australian military vehicles returning home as possible - so our grandkids can get to drive them not just watch them on a screen.

Steve.

[Lang]

Originally Posted by Snowy

For everyone involved, have a good and safe trip, and looking forward to hearing about as many of these historic australian military vehicles returning home as possible - so our grandkids can get to drive them not just watch them on a screen.

Steve.

Steve,

A number of the vehicles are going to be sold (including mine). I don't really have a problem with common types such as these leaving the country because we live in a global village.

Information from someone who works with the the Moveable Heritage people who issued our export permits indicates there are nearly twice as many veteran, vintage and classic cars coming into Australia as are going out. One of our vehicles was a protected object and must be returned.

Several of our members have brought in historic vehicles from overseas (I have brought in 5 and if I sell my Normandy Chev it will only make 2 I have exported. I have also brought in 7 rare vintage aircraft and exported 2).

I think people who are worried about a few dozen vehicles a year going out of the country should look at the hotrod people who are destroying thousands of historic vehicles a year!

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Lang

Jif,

Keith did his best but as he said, hit brick walls.

We have a few HD and SD cameras with us and if we shoot a million hours there might be something mixed with original historic footage that can be done.

Making movies is the last priority so I suppose we will see what we have at the end - at least something to bore the grandkids with.

Lang

Perhaps it can be moved to the second-last priority I think the most interesting approach will be if people can keep some sort of video diary - not just of sights and scenes but also of their expectations from the beginning and their impressions of the trip as it unfolds... that way we may be able to create something from what is shot... and remember to shoot from tripods where you can, avoid zooming and hosepiping!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Perhaps it can be moved to the second-last priority I think the most interesting approach will be if people can keep some sort of video diary - not just of sights and scenes but also of their expectations from the beginning and their impressions of the trip as it unfolds... that way we may be able to create something from what is shot... and remember to shoot from tripods where you can, avoid zooming and hosepiping!

Oh ferchrissakes, Keefy... just go with them and show them how it's done!