*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro*
The do-gooders and politically correct members of this list seem ready to
jump in quickly with ill judged supposition, criticism and accusation based
on hearsay evidence of events that took place a long way from where they
were
at the time in question. We are usually then treated to the amusing
spectacle of these stout parties disappearing up their own asses in a puff
of apologetic smoke when they are asked to back up hearsay with hard
provable fact. Recently we had Frank Buck, a highly experienced and
respected collector and a great participator in The Hobby accused of unsafe
behaviour unsubstantiated by any written statement from a reliable first
hand witness. Now we are told that Jack Tomlin did something risky/silly
and that crossing the English Channel in a DUKW is definitely NOT
RECOMMENDED. By who??
Over a period of thirty years, I've taken a DUKW over the Channel twice and
Jack and I have sailed DUKWs in the Thames, The Seine, the Rhine, and
various rivers and lakes in Norway,
Belgium, Holland, Germany France, and Italy. Memorable trips include
the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches and the Grand Canal
in Venice. These trips made with up to 20 other amphib vehicles - all
without serious accident or injury.
With few exceptions I have found that policemen are generally
curious and amused rather than officially upset and are more than willing to
bend the rules where this is necessary. This certainly applies to French
policemen who have a far greater municipal spirit than British policemen and
a far greater sympathy for ex-military vehicles (perhaps because the French
Gendarmerie is part of the French Army). I travel thousands of kilometres
in France every year for work and pleasure and although all French policemen
carry handguns (just like their American counterparts) I can assure you
that the sight of a French policeman carrying a sub machine gun is as rare
over there as it is in America.
Jack may have taken a risk in crossing the Channel on his own but then risk
of one sort of another is associated with most adventure and Jack will have
made journeys seldom, if ever, achieved by others with memories that will
last for therest of his life.
Finally, Messrs Kiser and Anderson, if you want a lot of fun, get a DUKW.
How else at that price can you have a 32ft boat to park in your drive? Be
prepared to do a lot of maintenance work (the bits are easy to get). When
you buy, check the hull for rust. Check the hull. Then check the hull
again. The rest doesn't matter because it can be fixed. Long term
collectors like Gordon won't use them in salt water. If you're going in
really rough water put on all the proper canvas from front to back and make
sure it's properly lashed down otherwise a really large wave can wash right
through the boat and sink it at a stroke. Test the bilge pumps and if you
want to be really sure carry auxiliary petrol or electric pump(s). If the
engine
stops on a standard DUKW, all the pumps stop and nearly all DUKWs take some
water. Don't be alarmed by the various sinking stories if you apply
maintenance, preventive measures and common sense you run very little risk.
Round up a few friends for a good crew, be adventurous and have the
fun of a lifetime.
Mike Stallwood.
Sometime DUKW Owner
----- Original Message -----
From: COLIN STEVENS
To: Military Vehicles List
Sent: 08 April 2000 03:46
Subject: Re: [MV] DUKW
*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro*
YES IT IS POSSIBLE to swim a DUKW across the English Channel ("La Manche" to
the French) BUT definitely NOT RECOMMENDED.
I believe it was Jack Tomlin who drove/swam his DUKW from England to France
for the D-Day 50th (?) Anniversary. Risky, silly etc. but he did it! I also
read that the French police and customs people were VERY upset as he did not
go through a proper customs clearing station and process! It's not nice to
fool with Mother Nature, or the French Police and Customs! They are not
noted for having a sense of humour, and they often carry sub-machineguns.
Ask the guys (Steve Greenberg?) in Oregon how if feels to have your DUKW
sinking. The had a cable attached and the current swung them broadside and
swamped the DUKW. Luckily the cable was secured to a ship's crane (?) and it
was enough to pull the soggy DUKW out of the water - veritcally.
Colin Macgregor Stevens
MVPA Member 954 (since 1977)
Editor MAPLE LEAF UP (Est. 1977) newsletter
of Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
E-mail: colin@pacdat.net
Personal web site: http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net
1944 Willys MB
1942 BSA airborne bicycles (2)
=================================
----- Original Message -----
From: <RKiser8375@aol.com>
To: Military Vehicles List <mil-veh@uller.skylee.com>
>Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 10:51 AM... Just out of curiosity, would it be
possible to >drive a DUKW across the English Channel?
>
> Rob Kiser
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon May 01 2000 - 05:30:05 PDT