. . Better parts could be made . . . . . .   hi earlymb,  one of my UK long term Jeeping friends was talking to the CEO of a company that make condensers, he asked why they keep failing with such rapidity, the response was because they are made to a price that people will pay, we COULD make better quality ones but consumers want cheaper prices.   I notice that one French Jeep parts suppliers are offering condensers at two different prices almost admitting that they stock two different qualities.       A London Jeeping friend was over here last week with other friends touring in six 1970's Triumph cars, he did a total nut and bolt rebuild on his Triumph and encountered similar experiences with various parts.   He tried several new manufacture brake master-cylinders and ended up having his old one bored and re-sleeved with stainless steel, he said that braking systems should be made to work not made to look as if they will.       Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 11 June  2O26.   ..

Here's an image of Captain Idus R. McLendon Commander of Battery C, 6th Field Artillery Regiment in front of “First Shot” with members of his battery. And below that is closeup of the brass plaque mounted on the gunshield.    Best,   V/r Lance    

Hideous tribute art piece IMO.  I would call it folk art rather than a military piece and I personally wouldn't want it in my collection.  Sorry to sound so sour but for that money you could buy an authentic A-2 with some paint and provenance.  Dave

Thanks! I will have to check it out. Have gone by that battlefield a few times on my way to see relatives in nearby Leesburg. Paul

Hi Johan,   thanks, that will be of great help! 😊   I see that no spring washers were used but all bolts had pal nuts; I'll see how many of those pal nuts I have left and if they fit. I have received my order of UNC nuts & bolts in what should be the various correct sizes from an online general (non-MV) hardware supplier that actually has a decent selection of UNC/UNF for reasonable prices (metaalreus.nl). As usual, I will remove any modern markings.         Hi Ken,   unfortunately modern repro ignition-related parts like the coil, condenser and spark plug wires are often of sub-standard quality. I don't know how the isolation of the latter held up for almost 90 years, but for the other parts NOS or at least OEM from known manufacturers is probably the best way to go. For condensors best option other than NOS or OEM might be a Bosch as used for 1960's-70's VW's, although these probably need some work on their mounting tab to make them fit the distributor.   I have new JMP wires and I guess I'll see how these hold up, but my coil is a French 6V Marchal and while not identical to an original one it is of good quality and certainly more reliable than most new repro's. I'm not sure what make my condenser is but that too is a real 'automotive' part. I will have to check what other old parts I have that will be usable for a jeep, as my father had been playing with cars since the 1960's and kept a lot of small parts.      

Hi :)   I have been wondering for quite some time, why there were poplin non-ripstop jungle jackets produced as late as 1969 in the 5th pattern? By that time, jungle jackets were made out of ripstop. So why reintroduce pure poplin? I have both a 5th pattern poplin jacket as well as a 3rd pattern from, I guess, around 1967 (there are no more tags present) and the two earlier models. The material is the same (maybe a bit more like the 2nd and 3rd pattern as the 1st was a bit more lightweught, as I have heard). And how rare are those actually? I have seen a few turn up, but not nearly as many as ones made out of ripstop. What is the deal with that?   Cheers, Jules

Thank you USMCR79, I appreciate the help.

This is a perfect issue example with correct ribbon, broach, bars, and planchet.   It is an unusual bar combination.   I would have it in my collection

Hello folks  need your option on it a friend of mine have just found that m3 with a strange guard and I own long times ago an m3 with the same guard  any opinion on it ?  in advance thank you for helping