I was watching a show called "Axmen" the other day and they use in their operation, a converted WWII Sherman tank! This got to me thinking of what else people have used for something other than its intended prupose! So I would like to see if you have anything like this. I know I just read on another thread about someone using a piece off of an aircraft for something in their shop. Here is the tank from the logging operation. It's called a yarder. Doesn't look anything like a Sherman, but it started life that way!
Locally in my area, there is a Crop Duster Service that has two WWII P-51 D, Mustangs, that were converted into Crop-Dusters. I have seen them several times over the years. One of them is painter bright red, the other is painted, bright yellow; and both have company logo's painted on their sides. John Wayne bought a WWII US Navy Minesweeper and converted it into a Yacht that he named: the Golden Goose. This converted minesweeper is still in usage by its current owner and I THINK is still moored at Newport Beach, California-where Duke last lived. BTW, Dukes home is no longer there. It was torn down and I THINK a new home was built there.
A favourite interest . One of the stranger vehicles I snapped in an appalling rain storm at Beltring this year was this extreme conversion of... an AEC Matador. It plied it's trade as a bus up North (Leeds area possibly, memory fails): It's always nice to see old Scammell's still plugging away as fairground vehicles too, I can't seem to find my pictures of the Beltring fairground, which has a bunch of old brightly painted warhorses so this'll have to do: Tempo Land Rover. Lovely old Albion doing the fairground thing here: http://www.pdtruckphotos.com/cd2a.jpg Gear like the Diamond T is just starting to fade completely from sight as heavy recovery trucks but you still spot 'em if you look hard enough. This one's for sale at the moment: WEBVERT There was a Welsh heavy haulage company that ran almost exclusively WW2 conversions until the 1970's, they were covered in the latest CMV magazine, might have to sort some pictures of those out as the conversions were epic. There's another odd usage of surplus vehicles that's recently caught my eye but as it's currently in a 'name that vehicle' quiz 'elsewhere' then It'll have to wait . Cheers, Adam.
Ooooh, maybe a mile a gallon . Nearly forgot the fire service (sorry Jeff ). Along with all those Jimmys etc. that provided cover for half of Europe post-war there were a few more peculiar jobs scattered around the world: I believe this one's in Austria: And may well be the same vehicle as illustrated here (2/3 of the way down the page: Nice MV pictures. These 2 are delightful: All those tank chassis & carriers lying around after having the armour stripped and being used on Autralian farms might be a worthy line of enquiry too. Cheers, Adam.
Well the 'name that vehicle' fell quickly, so here's a Vickers 'Shervick' tractor as knocked up for the ill-fated groundnut scheme in 1947-48. Lot of old Shermans lying around so why not find a use.: And I'm sure Bodston won't mind me stealing some other shots he came up with of very similar machines : Cheers, Adam
Very hard to say from the pictures, but this could be T34 based: BBC NEWS | Monitoring | Media reports | Ukraine turns tank into tractor Perhaps more likely a t50 or 60 something. rather familiar looking suspension here: Off Road Crawlers/Carriers for Logging & Mining Industries Amazing that they're still being sold within 'new' vehicles, and that new tracks are still manufactured. Ram Snow plow from the 'swords & ploughshares' museum: The Swords And Ploughshares Museum Cromwell converted to a crane: After an obviously hard life in Russia this one's been rescued by the nice men at Russianmilitary.com so hopefully will ride again once a turret's been found. And on a nautical theme, MTB's converted to houseboats and leisure craft: http://www.canadiancoastalforces.com/statement.html Cheers, Adam.
Then of course there are the DUKW's still seeing use all over the place: Ed O’Keeffe Photography » Yellow Duck Marine, DUKW in Liverpool These were used to help after hurricane Katrina: Amphibious vehicles - DUKW - duck boat tours
Now i've seen it all! Halftrack fire trucks! Jeff will not be able to sleep for a few nights agter seeing those. :lol:
Stefan, nice! I forgot all about the DUKW's! There are quite a lot of those up at the Wisconsin Dells, or at least there used to be! I agree Carl, that firetruck is pretty cool!
An ex-logger with a big question mark attached : The Tank Museum - Bovington - Library Photo Archive: Abandoned Tank in Floria river
Last time I heard of them was in the early nineties. Here is a recycled trailer from the Dutch coast guards that was used until the sixties (I think) I wonder if some parts come from a WWII tankette Hi squirrel. If you wish you may go to the new member section and introduce you there. Many more may read your request there too.
I love those halftrack fire trucks Here's the Philippine jeepney Here's a little background info about it: The Jeepney: Automotive Icon of the Philippines: ThingsAsian
Welcome Squirrel. I believe they were most likely bright Orange. A chap on the sister forum's father painted vehicles for the groundnut scheme (for which the Shervick seems to have been intended) and he remembers Orange. It's the shade of choice on most colour shots of gear headed for the scheme. Cheers, Adam.
Things to do with Dragon Wagons when the war is over... along with other MVs. YouTube - Wynns Diamond T and Pacific heavy trucks YouTube - WYNNS REBORN ~A