7 December 2008
Dream come true
Since he was a young boy George Said has had a passion for fire engines and one in particular - the mid 1950’s Dennis F8 fire engine. This highly manoeverable
type saw service with the Admiralty dockyard and probably subsequently the Malta Police Fire Service. Unfortunately they are all long gone but this prized exhibit was found is Scotland. Having served with several fire brigades in Scotland it found its way to a museum from where George acquired it being surplus to requirements.
It is now on the high seas from Scotland due later this month where it will be immediately transferred to Zinnu’s Garage for some minimal restoration and respraying.
As always George places his vehicles at the disposal of the Trust and we look eagerly look forward to it arrival.
2 December 2008
Range Rover TACR2 in restoration
As part of the significant teardown necessary to replace the gearbox a number of other factors have come to light. It would appear that there are a number of local modifications been made to the vehicle that were not evident in the original model. These are being removed with a view to not replacing them but investigation is necessary to found out exactly how it was constructed in the interior prior to refurbishment. Another job that is taking a lot longer than at first envisaged but not uncommon in this scope of work so a bill of material is being established to ensure we have everything necessary to put it back on the road in original condition.
30 November 2008
Supreme Coaches donate another vehicle
Now an established supporter to the Trust Mr. Reno Abela has donated an ex British Forces 1960’s Bedford A Type Aircrew bus which will be restored. We are still trying to fully identify the vehicle and whereas these were normally RAF there seems to be some indication on the remaining paintwork that it may have been ex Royal Navy.
Again resting in his yard for a number of years it is hoped that it will be delivered to Hal Far in the coming weeks. A photo can be found under The Collection section
22 November 2008
Bedford OY to go but she will be back
The Bedford OY truck recently acquired is to be sold on to Bezzina Shipyard & Repair Ltd. where it is to be fully restored and converted to at least resemble a Bedford OX Type tractor with a Scammell coupling. It is to be finished in RAF colours and was sought as the motive power unit for the “Queen Mary” aircraft trailer that Bezzina currently has under restoration. The good news is that when it is fully restored and the Trust finally get the much sought after display premises we urgently require the pair will return on loan to the Trust (hopefully along with a few other of their excellent vehicles) for the public to enjoy. A photo of a similar combination can be found in our Historic Photo Collection.
14 November 2008
AEC Regal Update
The chassis cab still continues to be slowly dismantled at Zinnu as a part time venture. The cab is now off and in due course the engine, drivetrain, suspension and all the ancillary equipment is to be removed in order that the bare chassis can be plugged and sent away for shot blasting and painting. This is a time consuming and tedious but important task ensuring our capability will endure putting it all back together again. Each part has to be cataloged and inspected for reconditioning, restoration in readiness to be put back once the chassis is returned. Zinnu has recently visited the UK to inspect the Duple A Body kindly donated by Terry Partridge. Plans are underway for the dismantling of the body which will comprise of both re-useable parts and templates for new construction. You will notice from the photograph that this is a 30 ft model when our requirement is for a 27’6 body. The longer body has just another panel inserted so it is no deemed to be too much of a problem shortening it. One of the distinguishing features of the 30’ are the line of windows along the roof rim which we will not require as it was not on the shorter model and therefore not on this particular Regal when she was with Wallace Arnold. It is in poor condition but largely complete. Terry has very kindly also offered to pay for the dismantling costs for shipping and plans are in the making to fit this into a 20’ sea container for transit to Malta. Not easy being a 30’ body but nothing we cannot handle. This will be a long and expensive project but well worth the effort. The support from Terry and numerous UK based Friends of the Trust is quite incredible and we will not let them down.
6 November 2008
Bedford TK-HCB Angus Fire Appliance
After considerable efforts by all concerned with scuffed knuckles and colourful language the Bedford was finally fired into life and a video clip is attached to show it taking its first steps after quite a time. The icing on the cake was the fact that the guys managed to get the fire pump working for no real apparent reason but the problem was the engine was pushing out more water than the fire pump. There is a lot of work needed on this vehicle including engine, brake system, fuel system, the interior, external light fittings and the wide range of additional equipment that fire engines tend to carry. However, a source of parts has been established and again our good friend Aidan Fisher is standing by in Manchester to acquire any bits and pieces we cannot get hold of locally. One of our local ‘Friends of the MHVT” James Schembri has taken a real interest in this and since he has been tinkering away at it we have now declared him the auto electrician of the Trust as he has established a lot of the wiring sequence by trial and error. Well done Sparky Schembri and good work by Mario and Malcolm.
15 October 2008
AEC Regal Start
A short recording of the sight and sounds of the Regal can now be found on You Tube. Go to their website and just search for AEC Regal Malta.
Enjoy.
Regal fires after at least 12 years in a field.
AEC engine guru Francis Sammut managed to fire up the 7.7 litre Diesel engine with minimal effort but sound preparation surrounded by members of the Trust, mechanics and bus drivers at Zinnu's garage with a standing ovation. A small puff of blue smoke
and she purred like the cat she once was. A massive tonic for continued restoration.
After a week preparation of checking all relevant parts to ensure no immediate blow up would occur this engine is a credit to the engineers at AEC Southall.
Relatively clean oil was found in the sump and water remained in the engine block jacket whilst all parts that should have been covered in oil were exactly that. The transmission and in particular the advanced vacuum brakes for the period will need some parts and renovation but again a clear signal she is ready and willing to take us to the next level.
Newly acquired M35A2 Trucks on loan from Medcast
Charged with enthusiasm the MHVT boys took off to Hal Far and then started one of the
two M35A2 former US Army trucks kindly loaned to the Trust by Maurice of Medcast.
A truly memorable day.
1 October 2008
Fort Rinella - Inspiration to our Trust
A recent visit to the Fort Rinella Battery , a sister to the Malta Historic Vehicle Trust within the Wirtartna.org or in translation Malta Heritage provides a tremendous inspiration to us all as to what can be achieved by a handful of dedicated enthusiasts.
We salute their achievement and if we can replicate it in our own way in respect of our
interests - we shall be justly proud.
25 September 2008
AEC Regal on the move again
After power washing and the fitting of two replacement front wheels the Regal departed Bezzina Ship Yard and Repair facility en route to Zinnu's Garage at Luqa where the engine is to be prepared for starting prior to the teardown of the chassis for shotblasting and painting. Work continues in the UK under the leadership of Terry Partridge in recovering useable original parts from the Duple A Body kindly donated to the Trust.
Where parts are not recoverable sufficient remains are available to make templates for the in part replica body to be constructed by Zinnu's Garage next year.
13 September 2008
1956 Coventry Climax Forklift Arrives
Purchased sometime ago by George for loan to the MHVT this day proved to be the day when bad luck finally caught up with us. Having been grazing harmlessly for sometime
outside Hal Far Fire Station this former inventory item of RNAS Hal Far was to be moved to the Medcast facility at Hal Far.
Our hearty 10 ton forklift kindly lent to us by
Medcast decided to give up the ghost whilst reversing back with the Covmax aboard
outside the fire station. No amount of encouragement from jump leads to Big Tasty Burgers would shift the beast so in the end the Covmax was towed back by the trusty power of Mario Zammits Land Rover. 3 Days later after much spanner work and
colourful language the two fork lifts joined together again at Hal Far both requiring a little attention.
2 September 2008
Bedford MWD Recovery
Mr. George Said has purchased a Bedford MWD which he will either restore or trade
for something a little rarer. Eitherway restoration will be made by MHVT for the
Bedford or its trade back and of course it will be loaned or purchased by the Trust
subject to Georges wishes. The exercise of trading vehicles forms part of our policy
provided of course that we are recovering a somewhat rarer vehicle than the one being traded. More information in due course.
29 August 2008
UK Provision for Friends of the Trust
Following considerable interest in the UK over the AEC Regal recovery a number
of UK residents have requested membership. In order to make this easier arrangements
have been made through the good office of Maltese Transport News. If you would
like to join us please send a cheque for GBP.16.00 in favour of Mr. S.Harvey to his
address at 18 Windrush Court, Windrush Drive, High Wycombe HP 13 7UL. Your
cheque should be accompanied by a completed membership form which can be downloaded from this website. Your membership card will be sent to your address
direct from Malta.
28 August 2008
AEC REGAL UPDATE
The AEC Regal has been removed from Cancu and is now at the plating shop.
It has been dismantled and initial signs are that the drive train is complete, the
clutch is free and with some expert help that has already been offered we believe
that we maybe able to get the engine started. Zinnu Garage at Luqa has offered
to find a steering wheel for us with some other parts and we have come to an
agreement whereby Zinnu will rebuild the cab and restore the wings.
It is our initial objective to restore it to the chassis cab status, hopefully driveable
and then review the chances of being able to restore it with a full Duple A coach
body very much in the way it was when it was new as delivered to Wallace Arnold
Ltd. of Leeds in 1947. It worked its way around a few coach companies before being
purchased by George Wimpey and used as a site bus. It arrived in Malta somehow we believe in 1964 then disappeared until it arrived at Cancu's field around May 1998.
27 August 2008
BEDFORD OY SECURED
A new acquisition has been made in the shape of a 1940's Bedford OY Truck. The
chassis has unfortunately been shortened for a tipper body but some discussion
is ongoing about the possibility of converting it so a Bedford OX tractor unit
primarily to go with a Queen Mary Trailer that has been promised to us on loan
once suitable premises are concluded. However, this depends upon a number of
issue regarding the current wheelbase, ride height and acquiring a suitable fifth
wheel. A fair amount of restoration is required but it is registered and towable.
A photograph is shown of it arriving at Hal Far for pre restoration in inspection.
22 Aug 2008
RECOVERY OF AEC REGAL
The Trust has successfully negotiated the donation of a 1947 AEC Regal I Chassis Cab
By Mr Reno Abela of Cancu Zejtun. It was today removed from a field where it was
half buried in rubble in preparation for its transport to the plating shop for dismantling
and cleaning. The photo shown is the Regal standing outside the offices of Cancu.
The vehicle although a classic to enthusiasts never had a working life in Malta and
other than the deterioration and vandalism over several decades it remains largely as it
arrived. More information to follow.
19 Aug 2008
NEW TRUSTEE
We have pleasure in confirming the appointment of Mr. Peter Skerry as a further
Trustee to our organization. Peter maybe better known as the Resident Correspondent
of the Buses Worldwide publication, the quarterly 'Maltese Transport News' and his
contribution to the excellent UK website CCMV promoting the Maltese heritage of
old commercial vehicles on our islands. Specifically he has already been instrumental
in negotiating with vehicle donors and in lease agreements for other vehicles we hope
to display in the future.
Bedford TK Fire Engine rescued from the scrapheap.
Following a tip off from the Civil Protection Department (who were called out to fight a fire in the vicinity), George Said went to have a look at a field and a number of vehicles residing in it. A meeting with the field’s owner led to a recce the following Saturday by the rest of the team. >>read more
1 June 2008
Philip de Domenico - An Appreciation
It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing away of our dear friend Philip de Domenico. Philip was a great collector of British militaria, and especially of Second World War vehicles. He was well known in the exhibition and rally scene in Malta and it was always a great pleasure to see his big friendly smile right by his treasured wartime Willys during such events. Philip was a fountain of knowledge when it came to British wartime equipment and he was, although Maltese, a true Englishman at heart! Philip was one of the driving forces behind local vehicle and militaria preservation. He will be very sadly missed by all of us. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Victoria and to his children Simon and Jonathan.
The Board of Trustees