The Victorian MilitaryVehicle Corps Inc.

NewsletterA5955

JULY 2003

V M V C

Victorian Military Vehicle CorpsJULY 2002

OFFICE BEARERS: CO-OPTED MEMBERS:

PRESIDENT:Lionel Smart (03) 9758 2748Email: lionelsmartcæhotmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT:Don Ashton (03) 5962 4587

SECRETARY:Brian BrownPO Box 367RESERVOIR 3073

(03) 9436 9016

TREASURER:Michael Kaukas (03) 9870 8287comVMVC Treasurer6 Avalon GroveRINGWOOD 3134COMMITTEE MEMBERS:David Marsh (03) 9779 0212Graham Jacobs (03) 9467 2001"Ian Eddy (03) 9778 4097

EDITORS:Leanne McPherson (03) 97526216Alex McPherson1 Simmons St. Fax:(03) 9752 6216

TECOMA 3160

TRIP COMMITTEE:Don Ashton (03) 5962 4587Michael Kaukas (03) 9870 8287

LIBRARIAN/QUARTERMASTER:David Marsh (03) 8711 4385

0403 503 043Email: davidmarsh01 cæhotmail.

AOMC DELEGATES:Gordon Edwards (03) 9376 8208

VEHICLE INSPECTION OFFICER:Lionel Smart (03) 9758 2748

CATERING OFFICER:Ian Eddy (03) 9778 4097

Meetings held at RATS OF TOBRUK HALL, 44 Victoria Avenue, ALBERTPARK - first Tuesday of the month. EMERGENCIES ONLY on meetingnight, contact (03) 9690 5710.No meeting in January.

The Editors reserve the right to amend, edit or delete any articles oritems submitted for publication in the Newsletter. Further, the Editors donot necessarily agree with any opinions expressed within.

CLUB ITEMS FOR SALEJumper Badge $5.00 ea (square type) Shoulder Flash $5.00 eachMetal Hat badge $5.00 each Club Logo badge $5.00 each (round

type)Peak Cap with Logo badge $8.00

Tac Sign Stickers $2.50

&Ige)Left Hand Drive stickers $10.00 ea$4.00

Window stickers $1.50Tac Sign holders $2.50 each (sml

Victorian Club Permit scheme book

NEW BY ORDER ONLYPolo T shirt $18.00 each (with embroidered logo)

Windcheaters $25.00 each (with embroidered logo)

SUBMITTING ITEMS TO THE NEWSLETTERWhen submitting items for the newsletter DO NOT SEND: Coming Events whichmust be sent to the Secretary or articles or photo's on floppy disc as they wil NOTBE PRINTED due to problems of computer Virus, discs damaged in transit andother issues that we have encountered in the past.

Also we are not the mailng list editors and as such all changes of address shouldbe forwarded to the Secretary to be passed on to the mailing list Editor who isRussel Sloan.

WE ACCEPT ONLY: Trip reports, general articles, for sale and wanted Ads. Allother correspondence must be sent to the Secretary.Place your ad or article on hard copy and we wil print it as space permits. Thesecan be Faxed or posted. Short for sale and wanted adverts can be telephonedthrough.Your co-operation with this will ensure continued smooth running and a high qualitynewsletter.

Alex McPherson Editor.

FRONT COVER

As stated last month, all wil be revealed. This is the same GMC 6X6 with theextended hoodbows to allow the 4 wheel search light to be carried. Next monthwil be pictured the control vehicle that also tows the generator to power thesearchlight. This vehicle is known as the Searchlight Control. More on this nextmonth.

Ed.

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JUL 1 - TUE

JUL 5-6SAT - SUN

mitted

JUL 6 - SUN

AUG 5 - TUE

AUG 10 - SUN

AUG 28 -1 SEPTHU - MON

SEP 2 - TUE

OCT 7 - TUE

MEETING - Tobruk house 8pm. A vote on the additionto the constitution will be taken.

SCOUTS RADIO AND ELECTRONICS WEEKEND -Gilwell Park, Swallowfield Road off the GembrookLaunching Place Rd. Gembrook. Camping is per-or come for the day. Arrive from 10.00 am. Further

information, contact Lionel Smart on 9758 2748

RESERVE FORCES MARCH IN MELBOURNE - Theyrequire only 4 vehicles which we have from the JuneMeeting.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Tobruk house 8 p.m.

TRIP TO CHEVIOT TUNNEL & MURRINDINDIFOREST - This is not a 4WD trip. Suitable for all typesof vehicles. Meet in Yea at the Bowling Club in the main

street at 10:30 am for morning tea. We visit the tunnelthen drive down through the forest stopping at a picnicspot for lunch. You will have to bring your lunch.

Continue through the forest with scenic stops until wereach Toolangi where we head for home in whateverdirection suits. From Yea to Toolangi is about 70 Kms.

MARONG FEDERATION PICNIC - Camping at theSaints at Burkes Flat Full details this newsletter.Contact Gaston Saint on (03) 5496 2243 or John Carrollon (03) 5338 2419

MEETING - Tobruk house 8pm.

MEETING - Tobruk house 8pm.

COMING EVENTS CONT'D

OCT 18 - 19SAT - SUN

JOTA JAMBOREE OF THE AIR - Gilwell ParkGembrook. Full details later

OCT 31 -NOV2

EUROA WOOL WEEK FESTIVAL - Full details later

NOV 4 - TUE MEETING - Tobruk house 8pm.

2005 3RD TRACKERS OUTBACK TOUR - For details anditinerary contact Bob Dimer on (08) 9453 2356

WE WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS:

No. 400 Jamie Preston 1 Simmons Street Tecoma Vie 3160 Ph. 97526216

No. 401 Roger Richards P.O. Box 308 Mont Albert Vie 3129 Ph 98909370

No. 402 Graham Edwards P.O. Box 101 Ballarat Vie 3350 Ph 5341 3367

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES OF ADDRESS:

No. 52 Berri Van Der Geer P.O. Box 8079 Dandenong Vie 3175 Ph 0415491215

No. 70 Bernie Brooks "Maraket Station" River Rd Jingellc NSW 2642Ph (02) 6037 6234

No. 204 Martin Dasler 5 Esther Crt Boronia Vie 3155 Ph 9761 1180

A modern, but still military is thisnew Land Cruiser I was issuedwith as my Forward Repairvehicle. It towed the standardLand Rover GS trailer with allmy tools and spares forExercise Kangaroo 1995.

Editor.

MINUTES OF VMVC Inc GENERAL MEETING HELD AT ROTA HALL3rd June 2003

MEETING OPENED BY PRESIDENT: at 8:15 pm.

MEMBERS PRESENT: 30 Members and Guests

APOLOGIES: R. Geddes, R. Cove, i. Tankard

NEW MEMBERS: Jamie Preston

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Moved: B. Fenner, Seconded: D. Bailey

BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: NiL.

CORRESPONDENCE IN:Garnet Bowen: inviting the Club to Scouts Radio w/end on 5&6th July & Jota on 18& 19 October.Victorian Scout Heritage Centre: asking for 2 vehicles for their dedication inNovember.Odd Bods U.K. Assoc: thanking the club for carrying their people on Anzac Day.RSL: Kindred minutesFrank Vella: advising of Miltary Vehicle Display at Queenscliff on 28/6/03. Allwelcome.Jagayre: advising they have storage space for vehicles.Miltary Vehicle Group of Tasmania: advising of trip to St. Helens/ScamanderWiliam Rixon Livestock: coming auction of Vintage & Veteran car parts atTamworth.Newsletters from: MVCS of SA, AMVCS of NSW, Land Rover Club, AOMC.

CORRESPONDENCE OUT:To Victorian Scout Heritage Centre: we will supply vehicles for their dedication inNovember.

CORRESPONDENCE ACCEPTED: Moved: J. Belfield, Seconded: G. Jacobs

AOMC REPORT: Delegate, Gordon Edwards reported the following:Club Plate permit system to cost $95.10 in 2004. AOMC is investigating thefeasibility of a Motoring Museum in Melbourne. The Annual British and AmericanShows at Dandenong were very successfuL. Main source of revenue for the AOMC.Guest speaker, Allan McKinnon gave a report on reproduction tyres and how un-safe old tyres can be.

TREASURERS REPORT:BALANCE AT MAY MEETING

CASH IN Bank interest $11.68TOTAL CASH IN $11.68

BALANCECASH OUT Print June newsletter $226.30

Post June newsletter $109.10Extra keys for cupboard $14.00State tax $4.80

TOTAL CASH OUT $354.20BALANCE AT JUNE MEETING

$6,776.28

$6,787.96

$6,433.76

TREASURERS REPORT ACCEPTED: Moved: J. Harris, Seconded: D. Furness

GENERAL BUSINESS: The Secretary spoke on the Reserve Forces March in thecity and asked for 4 vehicles to attend. They were received. The President againreminded the meeting that the vote for the addition of the Grievance proceedure tothe Constitution would be held at the July meeting. Nominations were called for aReturning Officer for the Annual Elections if needed. David Furness was nominatedby D. Bailey, seconded by L. Smart. Elected unopposed. Jim Harris asked if weshould consider paying a fee to the person, whoever it may be as Editor. Both theSecretary and the Treasurer said that if that was to be the case, then they would ex-pect the same. After a discussion it was decided not to proceed. The President isto check to see if there was a page missing in the trip report sent in by LeighShields. John Belfield told the meeting that he wanted to sell the contents of histank museum as a complete unit and to remain a museum. It is for sale due to thefact that John and his wife are getting old and find it hard to keep it going. Discus-sion took place on the people organising our Anzac Day Motor Pool, wearing some-thing to show who they are. Jim Harris is to purchase 10 army type arm bands forthis. The meeting again discussed the wearing of greens on the day or uniform tosuit your vehicle & hats. Michael Kaukas had a box of books to give away free tomembers or go in the library.

REPORTS ON PAST EVENTS: John Chapple gave a run down on the Marathonauction at Tamworth. A number of our members were there. The auction for theDodge Power Wagon was turned in.

COMING EVENTS: As the newsletter.

SALES AND WANTS: Ray Edsal stil has some Dodge parts for sale & fuel tank foran Acco. Berrie Van Der Geers Jeep that was in an accident is for sale. Ian Austinhas a fuel tank for a Bren Carrier for sale. Jim Harris wants a steering box for aDodge Weapons Carrier.

MEETING CLOSED: at 9:15 pm.

MARONG FEDERATION PICNIC28TH AUG - 1 ST SEPTTHURSDAY TO MONDAY

VMVC members are invited to Burkes Flat for the weekendfestivities, ample camping space and power if required.

ITINERARY

THURSDAY - Tea and a yarn.

FRIDAY - Happy hour at the Logan Pub (Counter meal)

SATURDAY - Bush drive with a difference, full of surprises, beobservant, win prizes. BBQ lunch, casserole dinner.

SUNDAY - Breakfast and then depart at 8 am in convoy to Ma-rong. Lunch supplied for the weekend guests. After the dis-play, head for home or return to Burkes Flat for tea.

Anyone who intends to go please contact Gaston Saint on(03) 5496 2243 or John Carroll on (03) 5338 2419 so that youcan be catered for your meals and other surprises over theweekend.

FOR SALE AND WANTED

A REMINDER FROM THE EDITOR'S. Please remember when submitting itemsfor Sale that VEHICLE for sale adverts must by LAW have included, Engine num-ber, Chassis or hull number, registration number and a price as applicable or yourad will not be placed in the newsletter. Further we cannot by law place commer-cial for sale or "services" adverts in the newsletter such as engineering and resto-ration type services, again BY LAW.

A. McPherson. VMVC Editor.

FOR SALEFerret Scout Car: 1951 MK1 converted

to MK2 by the Australian Army. Fullyrestored, excellent condition. Has C42Radio and intercom. British Number 36BE 42, Engine number 10846, Aust armynumber 115120.$15,000.00 Wil also consider exchangefor Dodge M37.

Contact Bruce McCann on (02) 9863 7662 Or 0401 779004

FOR SALESWB Ex Army Land Rover.1963 Series 2a. A1 condition,Total rebuild, Road worthy certificate, full reg no.RIW-561, Engine no. 25142983C, Chassis no.24303462A.

$7,800.00 Negotiable.

Contact John Brown on 9758 5964 after 7 p.m.

WANTEDAustin Champ maintenanceManuaL.

FOR SALETYRES 7.50X20 brand new non directionalbar treads to suit Studebaker US6 or GMC6X6 etc. Tubes also available if required

Contact Alan Newton(08) 8568 5463 Contact Mike Edwards on 0427 840 258 all

hrs or after 7 pm on (03) 9429 3415

FOR SALE AND WANTED contd

WANTEDLand Rover Ex Army Series 3 LWB (109) Fitted For Radio or General Servicein good to excellent condition preferably with RWC.

Contact Alex McPherson (03) 9752 6216

Right: A couple of LP2/2aCarriers, ARN 3864 havinga Vickers installed in it'smount. Of special note isthe common car type hornclearly visible. More thanlikely a Weatern Aust. Builtcarrier as it has the holesdown the side and on thefront guard for fitting sandskirts. The location is at therear of the old 3 trainingGroup, Pucka.

Some pictures from my fa-thers album, deceased clubmember Rod McPherson ofhis time with 5 Battalion VieScottish Regiment between1948 and 1962.

A. McPhersonEditor.

Left: Jeep towing a 6 pdrAT gun on Pucka range.

Left: A Mark 1 FerretARN 115108 on ex-ercise at PortseaVie. This was acombined exercisewith the 4/19 PWLHRegt. This vehiclewas on loan to theVie Scotties. Itsports the early frontside lights and nonmodified hatch han-

dles on the inside.

INSTALLING A WIRELESS SET INYOUR I939-4S EX-MILITARY VEHICLE

1942-45

By late 1942 special purposesignals vehicles were being in-troduced into the Aust. Army.The Holden built wirelesssignals body as seen on theChev. CMP 15 cwt chassisbeing a good example. With thewar expanding into the tropicswireless equipment had to nowwork in a damp and humidoperating environment, thearmy and local radio industryhad to evolve methods of com-bating this problem. Initiallysets were coated with a shellactypesubstance but the big break-through came when PVCcoated wiring arrived around1944.After 1942.the army was stillrelying on the home radioindustry to fill the bulk of itsrequirements. Radio Corporation of Australia (ASTOR) had been building anddesigning miltary wireless sets in various forms from 1941 and they continuedmanufacturing sets until wars end in 1945. The Radio Corp. 122 set of 1945featured many clever water proofing techniques. The ubiquitous Jeep had arrivedand Jeeps were often seen with Aust. built wireless sets on board.

A 4X4 Chev sigs van. Radios listed inthe official 15 cwt sigs van stowagediagram include WS 101, FS6, 11,19,133, 112 (AT51 ARB) and receptionset No.1 (the army version of theRAF AR7) These vans remained inservice until the late 1950's.

New Guinea 1944 .Artilery men usingtheir No. 11 set (Aust.)mounted in a Jeep.

WIRELESS SET NO. 11( AUSTRALIA)

As described in Pt 1, AWA in Sydney built a version the British No. 11 set.Although from the outside the two sets look similar, internally they are quiteDifferent. The AWA version used locally made valves and components in a newchassis layout. It appears that production got underlay during late 41 or early 42,just about the time the British version ceased production. Approx. 5,000 sets weremade. The decision to manufacture a British designed set, intended for thetemperate conditions of Europe was in hindsight, a mistake. Although the No. 11set (Aust.) was used in operations in the SWPA it proved to be too heavy andcumbersome for use in jungle terrain. It was also prone to breakdowns caused bymoisture intrusion. The cotton covered wiring looms and inadequate waterproofingof the genemotor power supplies caused major headaches for signals ops. Archiveevidence has revealed that No. 11 sets (Aust.) were actually not issued to unitsuntil adequate anti-moisture intrusion methods were devised. I have found noevidence of them being used in the Middle East but it is possible some were usedthere. The set was used in various roles within Australia including training wirelessops in classrooms. It was mounted in Aust. pattern Bren Gun Carriers and theAust. modified White Scout car as well as Blitz sig vans and Jeeps and othervehicles. The set is housed in a khaki green steel case but the front panel isfinished in black crackle paint. Two separate genemotor power supplies werehoused in steel cases. A elaborate frame was used to support the set when usedas a vehicle station. Post WW2 some sets were used by CFA units and radio hamsinto the 1950's. The sets are reasonably common today but accessories such asthe vehicle mounting frame and lid are very scarce. Carbon microphone No 3. werestandard issue for the No. 11 set as with the 101 and 109 set.

WIRELESS SET NO. 19

The ubiquitous No. 19 set was firstdeveloped by Pye UK around 1941

and by wars end it was the standardmobile radio set in use in the British!Commonwealth armies. Primarilydesigned for use in armoured vehiclesit was also mounted in many othervehicle types in many theatres ofoperations in WW2. It wasmanufactured in the UK, USA,Canada and Australia The set incorporated three separate communication systemsin one box. Firstly a HF long range transceiver for links back to base (A set), ashort range VHF set for inter squadron chat (B set) and lastly

a crew intercom thatenabled tank crew members to speak to each other. The set was built in largenumbers from 1942 onwards and was still in use into the early 1960's including inthe Australian army. During WW2 the set was built by various makers such asEKCO (UK), Zenith, RCA and Philco (USA) under lend-lease and Northern Electric,Victor and Canadian Marconi in Canada. In Canada production peaked at 1000sets per month in mid 1942. AWA in Australia built a limited number of 19 setsduring 1943 which differed from the other makes.

The 19 set was installed in all tanks and armoured!scout cars in the British!Commonwealth forces from 1942 on. The set was supplied to Russia with Russianscripting on the front paneL. Captured sets were employed by the Germans. The set ishoused in a steel case, the front panel was usually a grey colour although some post warrebuilt sets have been found with a duck egg blue front paneL. The genemotor powersupply sat in its own steel box beside the transceiver unit and was connected with ashielded 6 pin lead on the Mk 2 sets, the Mk 3 sets have a 12 pin lead. A 12 pinshielded lead connected the set to its control box. The control box was the heart of the19 set

operating system, it enabled the tank commander to switch between the main HF (A) setand the short range (B) set and instruct the crew via the intercom. The set was capableof transmitting voice and morse code with around 3 watts output into its whip antenna.The VHF B set had its own short (19") antenna mounted on the turret. Production fig-ures would be high as the set is fairly common today although the accessories such asvehicle mounting frame are difficult to find. There is a Internet web site devoted to theNo. 19 set at ww.qsl.netlve3bdb! Post WW2 the 19 set was used by radio hams andcivilemergency networks around the world, in many ways the No. 19 set was the foundationof mobile communications as we know it today.

WIRELESS SET 22 /122 iN 22 Lmeilstee€!wxs.til

The British No. 22 set was a multi roleHF set developed around 1942 forvehicle and infantry use. The set wasbuilt on a aluminium chassis and

housed in a lightweight aluminium

case. It was. a replacement for theearlier No.11 set. It had a separatevibrator power supply which required12V. When used in ~he infantry role The British built No. 22 set with its vi-

the set was broken into three packsand carried around. British airborneforces used the set with a special two wheeled trailer. In its vehicle mode the set wasmounted in Jeeps and other vehicles in a carrying frame somewhat similar the No. 19set. The set was capable of AM and CW output. Radio Corporation in Australia devel-oped a Australian built version of the 22 set during 1944. The early British sets sufferedfrom the moisture intrusion problem and Radio Corp. set about redesigning the set andmaking it totally waterproof and more efficient. The Aust. army had awireless research section located near Burwood in Melbourne in a old toy factory, therethe new 22 set (Aust.) underwent stringent testing. Sets were sprinkled with fungusspores and kept in humid glass cases. Special wax called heliwax was used to sealthe coils and the new PVC wiring was used. Sets were taken out of their cases andimmersed in water, given a blast of compressed air then switched on. The new set wascapable of much higher power output than its British counterpart.

By 1945 the 122 set (Aust.)was available. This set wasidentical to the 22 set (Aust)but incorporated a xtal locked

transmitter. Archive photosreveal that the 22/122 (Aust.)was used during the latermonths of WW2 in Borneo.The set was also used inKorea. During the 1950's ahigh power linear amplifier wasdeveloped for the set. Thisamplifier was a modified No.19 set unit. The 22/122 set

(Aust.) was used into the early1960's by the CMF. Produc-.. . .tion figures are unknown but This Radio Corp. of Australia built 22the set is commonly seen to- set receives some maintenance workday with serial numbers above during the later stages of WW2. Radio2000. The Radio Corp. 22/122 Corp. traded under the ASTOR brandset proved that the Aust. radioindustry could match and outdo its overseas counterparts. The set was easily the best designed and built mo-bile radio used by the Commonwealth forces during WW2.

AMENITIES RECEIVERSDuring WW2 the Australian radio industrysupplied a number of amenities receiversthrough organisations such as the AustralianComforts Fund, Red Cross and the Salvationarmy. These sets were used for generallistening in hospitals and recreational roomsand remote camps etc. The sets were spe-cially designed and built to operate in roughoperational frontline areas. Some of the makesincluded AWA, Stromberg Carlson, Krieslerand STC but there were many brands. Usuallybut not always the sets were built to run fromboth a 240 AC and a 6 V DC power source, abuilt in vibrator power supply enabled the setsto run from a 6v car battery in forward areaswithout mains power. The sets normally had Photo courtesy of the Aust. warboth a medium wave and short wave band. memorialThe army and RAF set up their own mediumwave broadcast stations in the islands for the services to listen to. By mid 1945 thefollowing stations were on air - 9AB Lae, 9AC Torokina, 9AD Morotai, 9AE Jacqui-not Bay, 9AF Tarakan, 9AG Balikpapan and RAF " Voice of the Islands" at MilneBay. Servicemen caught up with news from home and the latest music, some ofthe transmitters were quite large.

Ferret'sNormally I wouldn't print this article but I needed a fil in. Some members wilremember Deryk Walker from Military Vehicle Owners of Orange County, USAwho visited late last year and attended the Commercial Vehicle Rally with me.Here's Deryk's perspective and first impressions of Ferret's. Reprinted courtesy ofMVOOC.

Ferrets are domestic animals, cousins of weasels, skunks and otters. (Other

relatives include minks, ermines, stoats, badgers, black-footed ferrets, polecats and fishers.) Theyare not rodents;taxonomically they're in between cats and dogs, a litte closer to dogs. They arefriendly and make excellent pets. If you've never met one before, the easiest way to think of themis somewhere between cats and dogs in personality, but rather smaller. Some are cuddly, othersmore independent; they vary a lot, just like other pets.

The Ferret armoured car is well named. Small, fast and sometimes cuddly, they are closer to asmall dog if you think of a Jeep as a cat, (for size comparisons). They make an excellent pet forthose military vehicle enthusiasts who want armor without the expense of a tank or half-track. TheFerret derives it's lineage from the WW2 British Dingo Scout Car built by Daimler, (the British com-pany, not the German one). The British recognised the requirement for a light, fast vehicle vehiclefor reconnaisance and communication duties, (sound like a jeep to anyone?), with a modicum of ar-mor protection for the crew, (not like a jeep!) The Dingo was so successful that after the war, theBrits improved the design and called it a Ferret. It mounted a .30 Browning 1919A4 machine gun,plus that all important accessory, smoke grenade launchers. Later versions were fitted with turretsand some even had TOW missile launchers. Ferrets had a crew of two, the Commander andDriver. The Brits fitted extra jump seats inside for two more crew, (who must have been extremelysmall)! The Ferret's service life extended from the 1950's into the 1990's with the British, Austra-lians and Canadians. Many are still in service with Third World Countries and are used for internalsecurity.

I had the opportunity to get to know a Ferret first hand when I visited Alex McPherson inAustralia last December. He had invited me to to participate at an Antique Truck show where theVictorian Military Vehicle Corps (VMVC) was going to display their vehicles. "Would I like to crewthe Ferret?" You bet I would! Alex was going to drive and I was going to sit in the Commandetsposition. This is a tandem arrangement with the driver at the front and lower in the vehicle than theCommander, who sits with his head and shoulders over the top of the armor. Alex's Ferret is a Mk1 and does not have a turret. A .30 Browning is mounted on a pintle directly in front of the Com-mander's face. December is the beginning of summer in Australia, however it was quite cold andthreatened rain so we had to don suitable gear. This comprised of, (for me), of trousers, over-trousers, t-shirt, shirt, sweater, jacket, balaclava, goggles, gloves and helmet with the communica-tions gear so I could talk to Alex while we were driving. With all this gear on, climbing onto and intothe Ferret was fairly difficult.

You don't so much as get into a Ferret as sort of put it on. The Driver gets in first and theCommander then situates himself behind with his legs either side of the Drivets back. To say it iscramped is an understatement and how the Brits squeezed two more people in is a miracle. Thesteering wheel is at an odd angle; it slopes away from you and is nothing like anything else I haveever seen. The Commander sits on a small pad with his back to the radio. The Driver looksthrough a port at the front into which a small windshield can be fitted if it rains, (which it did), but thisrestricts the view a lot. The handbrake rather ungraciously, sticks up between the Driver's legs andlooks like an aircraft joystick.

The biggest surprise is that the Ferret is fast, extremely fast! It's a very unexpected feelingand I found myself gripping the seat with my sphincter muscles and the fairing with my elbows,grateful that hiding behind the .30 gave some respite to the blast of cold air in my face at speeds inexcess of 65 mph. Alex drives it like a sports car and once you get used to the experience, it's a lotof fun. Since the view from the cockpit is limited, my primary function was to look out for other vehi-cles, especially at road junctions.

On the way back, Alex let me drive the Ferret for a short distance. He had put in the windshield,complete with it's own minature wiper, because of the rain and this really does give you a tunnel vi-sion aspect on the world. Alex patiently explained the workings of the Ferret to me. The biggestdifference to any other vehicle is that the drive is by fluid coupling featuring a pre-selector gearbox.Unlike the vehicles we drive, which have a front and rear axle, The Ferret has an "H" shaped drivetrain. The transfer box is the middle bar of the "H" and the drive shafts extend down the inside ofthe Ferret on either side. The wheels are attached to the ends of the "H" so there is no axle in thetrue sense of the word. If gripping the steering wheel was not weird enough, coping with the gearswas akin to the old party trick of standing on one leg, patting your head and rubbing your tummy atthe same time.

London buses have had pre-selector gearboxes for a long time, so i was familiar with theprinciple, but i had no idea the practice could be so difficult. Since the wheels are driven by fluidcoupling, there is no clutch or clutch pedaL. What appears to be a clutch pedal is in fact, the gearselector pedaL. The gear selector lever selects the gear and when you are ready to change gear,you push down and release the gear selector pedaL. Got it so far? Essentially you chose the nextgear you want before you need it, hence "pre-selector". The secret is to keep the revs up to make asmooth change. The reverse lever puts the complete transmission in reverse so you have five for-ward AND five reverse gears. Experienced drivers can go from 65 mph forward to 65 mph in re-verse in a split second. Especially useful when the bad guys are trying to turn you into a sieve.The Ferret was fun to drive, but i have to admit that my driving skills left something to be desired.Limited vision coupled with the strange position of the steering wheel and taking my eyes off theroad to check the rev counter and gear selector led to a zigzag course that would have had any copgiving me a sobrietary test. But it was fun and I'd like to have another go at it in the future. Ferretsare certainly an interesting MV, but be warned, maintenance can be challenging, (for example-twomen, four hours to change a fan belt.)!

Courtesy Deryk Walker, Editor, Over the Top, MVOOC.

ANNUAL ELECTIONS

No Elections will be required at the Annual General Meeting of the VMVC Inc. forpositions on the Executive Committee held on 5th August 2003.

The following rule from the Constitution will apply-

Rule 23 (3) If the number of nominations received is equal to the number ofvacancies to be filed, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.

This rule applies to the following positions-

PRESIDENT Lionel Smart

VICE PRESIDENT Graham Jacobs

SECRETARY Brian Brown

TREASURER Michael Kaukas

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Ian EddyDon Ashton

David Marsh

ADDITION TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Department of Justice, Consumer Affairs Vie. have instructed the club thatwe MUST include the Grievance Procedure into our Constitution as it is the law.-As it has to be done according to the rules, it wil be put to the members at theJuly meeting to vote on. Please remember that it must be included.The following is what they have given us to be included, _

Rule 8. (1) The Grievance Procedure set out in this rule applies to dispùtesunder these rules between -

(a) a member and another membefl or(b) a member and the Association. _(2) The parties to the dispute must meet and discuss the matter in -

dispute, and, if possible resolve the dispute within 14 days after thedispute comes to the attention of all the parties.

(3) If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute at the meeting, or if .a part fails to attend that meeting, then the parties must, within 10

days, hold a meeting in the presence of a mediator.(4) The mediator must be:

(a) a person chosen by agreement between the partlesor

(b) in the absence of agreement(1) in the case of a dispute between a member and another

member, a person appointed by the Committee of theAssociation; or

(2) in the case of a dispute between a member and theAssociation, a person who is a medi'tor appointed oremployed by the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria(Department of Justice).

(5) A member of the Association can be a mediator.(6) The mediator cannot be a membér who is a party to the dispute.(7) The parties to the dispute must, in good faith, attemptto settle the

dispute by mediation

(8) The mediator, in conducting the mediation, must:

(a) give the parties to the mediation process every opportunity tobe heard, and(b) allow due consideration by all parties of any

written statementsubmitted by any party; and(c) ensure that natural justice is accorded to the parties to thedispute throughout the mediation process.

(9) The mediator must not determine the dispute.(10) H the mediation process does not result in the dispute being

resolved, the parties may seek td resolve the dispute in accordancewith the Act otherwise at law. ' -

.-

The àbove wil be entered at rule 8 in the Constitutioriand all existing rules, wil

be moved on, one number. .

DISCLAIMR

The statements and opinions expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarly those ofthe members or Commttee of the Victorian Milita Vehicle Corps Inc. We do nottake responsibility for any statements, advertisements, notices, letters or opinionsthat are published. Such are published at the risk of the contributor who acceptsliability for any intended publication. Writers of articles provide their suggestionsand opinions as general information only and accept no responsibility if you chooseto follow-up their suggestions.

All contributors agree to indemnfy the publisher and warant that the material isaccurate and is neither deceptive nor misleading, in breach of copyrght, defamatory,or in breach of any laws.

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