Picture(s) of the day....

[Peter.N.]

Here is another one - not quite as old the Rudge or me. This was taken in 1955 when I was just about to embark on a journey to Wolverhampton from Kent, quite an adventure in those days!

I thought 60 mpg was brilliant then - my C5 will do better than that.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Here is another one - not quite as old the Rudge or me. This was taken in 1955 when I was just about to embark on a journey to Wolverhampton from Kent, quite an adventure in those days!

I thought 60 mpg was brilliant then - my C5 will do better than that.

Excellent Peter, when its too dull for Lyme Bay in the sunshine you will always keep me entertained with some nostalgic old snaps from your collection.

So if there's a little more to extract from the scooter pic...It would have to be a Lambretta or a Vespa I would have thought, and can you remember your route/stopping off points. Was that your full personal protective equipment for the trip? Jacket and tie

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Was that your full personal protective equipment for the trip? Jacket and tie

Regards Neil

And spectacles Neil, please try and concentrate more!

It looks like a Vespa to me Peter so please put us out of our misery?

[Peter.N.]

Yes, it was a 1950 Vespa with a registration that I think would be worth something. I think that was my full protective gear - although maybe I had a Packmac.

No motorways then, it was up to and across London, Hyde park corner, then A5 nearly all the way there, turned off at Gailey to the North of Wolverhampton, my uncle lived in Tettenhall. Don't remember now where I stopped off. I do remember though that the engine seized on the way, probably because I hadn't put enough oil in the petrol, no two stroke pumps you had to mix it yourself, it freed off when it cooled down and I added more oil, was OK after that.

Didn't even notice I was cold that I remember.

Peter

[mickthemaverick]

If I remember rightly the Vespas ran on 25:1 and my Lambretta SX200 on 50:1. As a result I under oiled my mate's Vespa on our way to Southend with similar results!!

It is amazing what you come across when you go digging around in 1955:
Anyone got an Amphicar?

This might make a useful trailer!

[NewcastleFalcon]

It is amazing what you come across when you go digging around in 1955:
This might make a useful trailer!

Do you think these two are one and the same. They are both called Alan Eckford, both have Hertfordshire links, both designers. Interesting Bio on Alan Eckford here. http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Eckford.htm

screenshot

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

On this evidence I'd say yes it is the same chap!!

own compilation from borrowed sources

[mickthemaverick]

Not sure what happened there!1 Did you add the pics while I was typing?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Yes I forgot the pic in my original post!

The surname Eckford struck a chord with me as a friend of mine from way back has the surname Eckford.

REgards NEIL

[mickthemaverick]

You mean I did all that searching, cutting, pasting, cropping and arrangeing for nothing!!!!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Wondered if there was anything more about him on the net, and turned up this interesting Trivia from a French Site.

According to that site AF Eckford's nickname was "Shag"!

http://www.cieldegloire.com/002_raf_eckford_a_f.php

screenshot

REgards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

I find it a trifle odd that a guy with that war record and level of appreciation would come up with a floating caravan of all things!! I'd have expected a self righting aeroplane or an automatic landing system rather than a houseboat!

[NewcastleFalcon]

https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/l ... _uid=78829

A.F.Eckford's Distinguished Flying Cross was sold for £15,000 at Auction in 2002. Interesting reading down the details it mentioned this....

"On the Squadron’s strength were two Flight Lieutenants who would shortly gain numerous decorations, and no small degree of fame, for their part in the coming Battle, and afterwards - Peter Brothers and Michael Crossley. Eckford, too, was shortly to gain ace-status and a D.F.C., and to place his signature on the blackboard at the White Hart Inn, Brasted."

Now my first look up at "The White Hart Inn" Brasted produces what can only be described as a bland corporate could be anywhere of something descibed as the White Hart Pub and Restaurant. Brasted. There is surely a history to be recognised and celebrated but as far as I could ascertain...nothing via this particular source.

https://www.whitehartbrasted.co.uk/aboutus

REgards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Now my first look up at "The White Hart Inn" Brasted produces what can only be described as a bland corporate could be anywhere of something descibed as the White Hart Pub and Restaurant. Brasted. There is surely a history to be recognised and celebrated but as far as I could ascertain...nothing via this particular source.

REgards Neil

I am equally interested in this Neil so I have emailed the pub to ask if they can offer any info. Fingers crossed!!

[Hell Razor5543]

Try reading "Tales from the White Hart", by Arthur C Clarke.