MY MILITARY CAMPERETTI
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 2:42 am
I have long wanted to create something to use for weekenders and tours out of the '43 Willys MBT trailer I have owned for 45 years. My thinking was to create something like a folding tent which slips into the trailer bed without damaging it.
Faced with selling the Chevrolet G506 I restored to use as my "home" for the D-Day celebrations in Normandy last year - at 9 miles per gallon of gas and the physical constrains of advancing years, my pension was finding it a strain to keep this brilliant but expensive vehicle - I spotted the Military Teardrop Camper on this forum, made by Tamnalan. I immediately knew this was the answer to my prayers, and PM'd him to see if he had any plans for this construction. He did send me a photocopied drawing - more of a sketch really - and more importantly many photos of his build.
Having determined this was my way forward, I set about finding a Jeep trailer to use for the chassis as my MBT was too good to cut about for this purpose, due to the modifications necessary.
As luck would have it an old friend of mine happened to have the remains of one which he deemed beyond economical restoration as the body had definitely seen better days.I was made a present of this, which much to my surprise turned out to be an M-100 Dunbar Keppel dated 1952. This was exactly the same as Tamnalan used - I was overjoyed! plus being post-war I did not feel so bad at restructuring it for a new life.
During the course of the build - which took just over 18 months due to various other factors interrupting the work - Tamnalan's friend Mac McLusky contacted me with photos and progress with his build (See Mac's Teardrop on this forum) and I am indebted to both of them for their inputs and assistance. Although Tiny Teardrops are becoming increasingly popular here in the UK, I believe mine is the first Military Version to emerge.
I wanted to add some "Military garnish" to the exterior and to that end I was lucky to find a 2 gallon French Wine Jerrican - made of Aluminum and stamped "VIN", to use for water. Also the usual .50 Cal ammo box for spares etc, but finding a 2/3 scale Jeep spade in my local farm shop inspired me to make a 60% sized Pioneer Tool Rack containing the spade, a 3lb felling ax, and a belt mattock. A Coca-Cola bottle opener is also fitted for convenience.
Last Weekend, the MVT Cornwall held a season opener weekender, Mylor D-Day 71, near Falmouth and I used this show as the inaugural outing for my creation, towed by my recent acquisition, an Austin Light Utility, complete with "Mickey Mouse Ear" camouflage.
The only reason I used this vehicle was my Jeep's legal paperwork had not arrived in time.
However, next weekend there is an event to celebrate the US Army's D-Day Assault Training at Woolacombe and Braunton Beaches in North Devon, I will definitely take the Jeep on that . There still remains the Wartime concrete practice landing craft we can use, as well as having special permission to drive on this historic foreshore.
A fly over by our '44 L4H Cub plus others - weather permitting - will add an air of authenticity to the event (I hope!)
A photo of the Camperetti can be seen on Photobucket as the photos I have are of too large definition to be accepted here.
http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/r4682 ... l.jpg.html
Faced with selling the Chevrolet G506 I restored to use as my "home" for the D-Day celebrations in Normandy last year - at 9 miles per gallon of gas and the physical constrains of advancing years, my pension was finding it a strain to keep this brilliant but expensive vehicle - I spotted the Military Teardrop Camper on this forum, made by Tamnalan. I immediately knew this was the answer to my prayers, and PM'd him to see if he had any plans for this construction. He did send me a photocopied drawing - more of a sketch really - and more importantly many photos of his build.
Having determined this was my way forward, I set about finding a Jeep trailer to use for the chassis as my MBT was too good to cut about for this purpose, due to the modifications necessary.
As luck would have it an old friend of mine happened to have the remains of one which he deemed beyond economical restoration as the body had definitely seen better days.I was made a present of this, which much to my surprise turned out to be an M-100 Dunbar Keppel dated 1952. This was exactly the same as Tamnalan used - I was overjoyed! plus being post-war I did not feel so bad at restructuring it for a new life.
During the course of the build - which took just over 18 months due to various other factors interrupting the work - Tamnalan's friend Mac McLusky contacted me with photos and progress with his build (See Mac's Teardrop on this forum) and I am indebted to both of them for their inputs and assistance. Although Tiny Teardrops are becoming increasingly popular here in the UK, I believe mine is the first Military Version to emerge.
I wanted to add some "Military garnish" to the exterior and to that end I was lucky to find a 2 gallon French Wine Jerrican - made of Aluminum and stamped "VIN", to use for water. Also the usual .50 Cal ammo box for spares etc, but finding a 2/3 scale Jeep spade in my local farm shop inspired me to make a 60% sized Pioneer Tool Rack containing the spade, a 3lb felling ax, and a belt mattock. A Coca-Cola bottle opener is also fitted for convenience.
Last Weekend, the MVT Cornwall held a season opener weekender, Mylor D-Day 71, near Falmouth and I used this show as the inaugural outing for my creation, towed by my recent acquisition, an Austin Light Utility, complete with "Mickey Mouse Ear" camouflage.
The only reason I used this vehicle was my Jeep's legal paperwork had not arrived in time.
However, next weekend there is an event to celebrate the US Army's D-Day Assault Training at Woolacombe and Braunton Beaches in North Devon, I will definitely take the Jeep on that . There still remains the Wartime concrete practice landing craft we can use, as well as having special permission to drive on this historic foreshore.
A fly over by our '44 L4H Cub plus others - weather permitting - will add an air of authenticity to the event (I hope!)
A photo of the Camperetti can be seen on Photobucket as the photos I have are of too large definition to be accepted here.
http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/r4682 ... l.jpg.html