From: Winget, William A CONT JTFCS5G (winget@jfcom.mil)
Date: Wed Jun 05 2002 - 07:06:14 PDT
NOTE: Please delete the below text if your REPLYING to the MIL VEH Digest.
No need to take up the bandwidth. WAW
I've followed it loosely here, let me wade in. I judged 1/4 ton WWII class
at the National last year at Ft. Lee. Lost a day worth of the show for what
it's worth, and missed some good deals and POC's there because of my
volunteering.
Use the -10 manual for all inspections.... (Oops, that would be too
simple), here's more:
Factory class = Just as it appeared the second it rolled out the door, NOT
as delivered, because as it passed through inspections, in some cases
assembly, road dust, mileage, etc. brought it "down" from Factory class
level. These go inside the building, are pushed into place, use the current
judging sheet with the "pretty" effect some owners seek to have. This does
not include spit-shined tires or glossy paintjob that is "Custom Level"
Paint CAN have fingerprints, etc.
NOTE: I've NEVER seen an in-service "military" vehicle come back
from the post paint shop without some flaws OR be touched by the paint guys
in inspection/ tape removal. These are NORMAL marks. Driving through brush
and scraping the paint with branches moves it down to Motorpool level
though.
These vehicles STOP being judged after they finish this level. Awards would
be given as appropriate.
My Opinion: Then push them back into their trailers and take them back home
..... Nice expensive.....(Fill in whatever YOUR opinion is here....I'll be
polite)
ALL OTHER CLASSES
You take YOUR vehicle through the inspection station. This way, Judges
don't have to "Find" you or the vehicle that way, and can have Tent, a table
with clipboards and pens, the manuals, refreshments, etc.
Motorpool Class Two phases, Phase I = as issued, Tools, can have weapons,
anything a special unit had issued (Like special gear for fording, cold
weather, special missions, etc.) Paint is new though equally qualified with
Worn paint, NO points deducted for paintbrush touch-up, You CAN armor-all
the tires, polish the seat cushions, etc. Whatever a driver with pride in
his vehicle did in service (or a photo can prove....) (OH, by the way, there
CAN be some rust in the vehicle, or missing/ broken parts as long as this is
shown on a 2404, or a deferred maintenance sheet.......) THEN you drive to
the NEXT station, Phase II below.
Combat Class Also two phases, Phase I) = Items and parts can be missing
and adapted from other combat or period vehicles. Like: turret parts from a
B-17 for a shelter, a Tank weapons pintle welded up for a Machinegun mount,
fenders dented, minor body damage, some normal rust, not excessive NOTE:
Just because it went to combat class doesn't mean it did NOT start out as
Motorpool class a few months earlier. It would be swapped for a replacement
vehicle if it was a derelict (different class there) and should not be
falling apart due to neglect or age, but USE only. Worn tire (not all of
them) would be acceptable if it was the spare swapped to the ground, etc.
MRE/ C-Ration wrappers, spent ammo casings, Maps, field gear, scratched
paint, custom unit markings, virtually anything can go, but a PHOTO of
similar conditions would be most appropriate. (oddly enough, MOST visitors
to the Shows LIKE these vehicles BETTER than the Factory class that people
struggle so hard to complete in the Nth detail) THEN you drive to the NEXT
station, Phase II below.
PHASE II PROVE it's a COMBAT vehicle....... The drivers / obstacle course!
Passing the first judging phase to include, original issued safety gear
(Have a set of current safety stuff, but no judging on current stuff, merely
compliance with "type" or required product) anything else in the basic
judging category THEN you drive to the NEXT station.
Now here's the FUN part. If Hotrods go to the Drag strip to show the best
time and be "proven" winner, then why not have the MV's go to the test track
to prove they are functional? DON'T enter if you DON'T want it judged as a
Vehicle.
(We were just comparing military vehicle "truck" judging to Car show
judging, which in my "opinion" are two vastly different hobbies. Look at a
Farm tractor show! they do traction pulls on OLD Molines and Farmalls to
PROVE who has the "restored" vehicle, not just a trailer queen.....
Coming from the first phase drive through judging station, proceed to the
second phase station area where you and a CO-Driver! are supervised through
say: the steering check, braking at 60 feet from 25mph, alignment while
coasting straight with hands off, etc. Then passing that, ON to the really
fun stations like the Hill, Ditch, side slope, self recovery, etc. Anything
goes, but set some standards, and enforce safety. (NOTE: I do NOT mean do
the Rubicon Trail with your "restored" Jeep, merely what it was designed
for, and a FAIR course that the average driver and "Different" vehicle can
negotiate based on WHAT the standard for that vehicle is supposed to be. A
Dodge Command Car SHOULD be able to handle 60% side slope. A Bradley
Fighting Vehicle SHOULD be able to cross an 8 foot trench, etc. Follow the
specs and keep it safe!
Ramps, hillsides, trench crossing, winch pulling, etc. Toughest "restored"
truck or vehicle in it's class to complete the course AND the "inspection"
wins in IT'S class, simple enough. You have to Show and you prove GO to be
the winner. Else wise, we just have a bunch of heavy equipment that looks
pretty. Pretty is not necessarily correct.
Derelict class = the thing runs (somehow) and actually made it around the
show, but you wonder if it really WAS a military vehicle, or something
somebody cobbled up. Usually labeled "ugliest truck" at the show, but we
still should have some standards....... Can compete in the Phase II, but
won't win Best of that class, as it has NOT been restored.
Military vehicles by nature are different than Cars and custom shows.
Heavier materials and similar but extremely different restoration techniques
are usually required, (Try taking a torch to heat a dented fender on a car
and you can, where on a truck you have to use a 5Lb sledge and Ballpeen as
WELL as heat to achieve similar effects) to include Body, Canvas and
finishing. Shouldn't try to compare a car show "restorations" to a Mil
vehicle show restorations.
Final: I do NOT mean to imply that I do NOT understand the efforts and
level of research MANY of the finest owners and collectors of military
vehicles I have met have gone through in pursuit of their equipment, and I
applaud their efforts to be historically accurate. MANY of these vehicles
are beyond being judged at a weekend event, and their rarity places them
beyond competitive judging. (How many Super DUKWs ARE out there???)
An opinion by:
Adrian Winget
Hampton, Va.
PS: Please delete the above text if your REPLYING to the MIL VEH Digest. No
need to take up the bandwidth. WAW
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