Greece to Normandy Convoy '09

[jim sewell]

Hi Richard and Lang
Because I could not crawl underneath or go down the sides or go over the top , the only way I could think of restraining the rear was to make up 2 x C section steel purloin for the rear rims to sit on ( rims may have damaged wood floor during shipping ) I drilled 6 holes in each purloin and welded 6 x 1/4 studs with sharped ends that went into six holes punched in the wood floor , this stopped the plate and rim from sliding side ways ( I hope ! ).

To also help restrain the rear I used 2 x 2.5 tonne tie down straps which were anchored to the rear of the container through a type of pulley mechanism and one end was attached to each side of the chassis, the other end was relayed out along each side of the vehicle to the front of the container where the tensioner was anchored .
The straps were attached to the chassis while the rear of the vehicle was in the doorway and straps were pulled by assistants while the vehicle was backed in , ropes were joined to the straps because the straps were not long enough for this part of the operation .

For the front wheels I used 2 x channel irons for the rims to sit in and welded blocks in them to prevent the rim from rolling to or fro , to fit these I jacked the axle up and slipped them in place .
The front axle was secured by 3/8 chain and turn buckles .

The proof will be when I open the container door in Istanbul , the heart will be in the mouth.

Regards
Jim S.

[Lang]

Jim,

You seriously did not want it to move.

I would have thought with such a tight fit you could have just chucked in a couple of bags of those foam "worms" they use in post parcels and slammed the door!

Lang

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by jim sewell

Hi Richard and Lang
Because I could not crawl underneath or go down the sides or go over the top , the only way I could think of restraining the rear was to make up 2 x C section steel purloin for the rear rims to sit on ( rims may have damaged wood floor during shipping )

Thanks Jim,

I can see a lot of thought went in to that operation.

Some years ago, we shipped a Land Rover station wagon out to Aus for a motor rally we were entered in. It had a full roof rack as well. The container was an insulated or refrigerated type, used to bring perishables over to the UK, they return to Aus empty, so we had a "free" ride through the sponsor. Only problem was a lower ceiling height, we found some 13 inch car wheels with low profile tyres, just for transporting, still it was too high, so ended up with ratchet straps around the chassis and axles to pull springs up. I worked, and no damage caused.

Will see you in Normandy

[jim sewell]

Richard
Look forward to meeting you at Normandy

Originally Posted by Lang

I would have thought with such a tight fit you could have just chucked in a couple of bags of those foam "worms" they use in post parcels and slammed the door!

I briefly thought of using some truck inner tubes and inflating them on the sides and on the top but the length of the valve stem required was the problem!

Regards
Jim S.

[JackM]

Jim,

I thought your other idea of using a couple of puffed up politicians, one on either side, was a better idea. You could have ditched them in Istanbul - no need to bring them home.


Jack

[Lang]

Here are some photos of the Brisbane crowd loading.

Lang

[Lang]

And some more photos

[Lang]

Andfinally a couple more