The
Restoration of a Wartime Flying 12 Utility:
What
is this?
|
Just
look at it now!
|
This is a wartime Flying 12
Utility, belonging to Mike Winter. Here is a shortened version of Mike's story of the
rescue and rebuild, which is just an extract from his full photographic record. Click on
any of the pictures to see a larger version of them.
 |
My old
Landrover, which I had sold to Ben Rose, was used to bring her home. |
Dad gave the
new arrival the "once over" and declared that I must have been "off my
head" to pay £900 for what I bought home. |
 |
 |
I explained that the engine and
gearbox were to follow............. |
| They certainly weren't sitting
here where they should be! |
 |
 |
This plate had
come to light inside one of the doors. We tried to wet and dry it to find out just what it
was, but the problem was that I had no idea what to expect, and just what lines and marks
were appearing.............. |
It turned out
to be the wiring diagram! The lines on it were very fine and it was impoosible to get it
clean without rubbing out the very marks I was trying to save! The other door revealed a
matching lubrication chart. |
 |
 |
The mudguard
locations were particularly bad |
This is what
happens to nuts and bolts in wood for many years - The visible ends LOOKED fine! But the
bolt shanks were eaten away sevserely inside the wood. It all LOOKED alright from the
outside, But it was very fragile structrally due to the corroded bolts |
 |
 |
The scuttle
structure partially refurbished |
As well as
much thicker wood being used, the sills were heavily reinforced |
 |
 |
All the rotton
wood was taken out and replaced with new wherever possicle |
Engine,
gearbox and steering fitted.... |
 |
 |
After which,
the first side panel was loosely positioned...... |
together with
a door, to see how it all lined up and fitted, so far so good! |
 |
 |
The building up
of the front end could continue, until ready for its first road test |
She seems to
go very well, so far as I can tell, will be quite high geared.it being posssible to get
into top gear only after travelling the length of the close, a bit risky approaching the
main road with untried brakes! |
 |
 The Standard joins
Mikes line up of Wartime heros, yes he has a Morris, Austin and Hillman as well. So which
is his favourite? If you dont know the answer, its this one below!
|
Mike and the
his Utility will be at the Standard
International Rally on July 13th/14th, so meet them there.
It is thought that over 6,000
of these Utilities were built and used by the armed services. Mike has so far got
details of 28 survivors, from all corners of the globe. If you can add to this list,
please send information to Phil Homer.
Story and pictures by Mike
Winter, edited by Phil Homer.
Return to Top of Page
Return to Military
Page
|
