Well Guys, and gals, firstly thanks for your nice comments. I've not really had time to sit down at the computer recently, got something of a time consuming and somewhat hush hush project on, keeping me away from the Compaq.
Nothing really special about the 352, Split. Not even sure of the date of manufacture, but for number collectors it chassis No 79171, which I guess puts it around March '42 ? The steel bed has had extensive work with a new floor, and the timbers supporting it off the chassis appear to have been renewed, probably as a result of long term storage when in the French reserve. Little is known of its working history, except its last point of sale which was a disposal auction in Metz, NE France. It was then driven back to the UK, mainly on 4, sometimes 5 but never 6 cylinders. Its seen here shortly after arrival at my home town of Portsmouth UK, in late January 2005. Just a year ago.
The new US supplied Beechwood canvas doing a wonderful job of keeping our cold British winter out. The photo was a chance thing, and was taken for the record of the original French number plates. It was not taken with any photographic expertise or thoughts of "Atmosphere".
Funny how these things turn out.
Now sorted with a fully functional 6 cylinders and an efficient carb owing to help from a CCKW forum member, (Thanks Tim) we're set for a busy show season. Just fell in with some Red Ball Guys here in the UK and I'm looking forward to being in good company.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/izzard/sets/564380/
The original markings were a tribute. General George S. Patton, Jr., once said:
"I'm supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army but I have one peer - Abe Abrams. He's the world champion."
A real accolade indeed from World War II commander Patton, about Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr.
Both were to have tanks named in their honour.
It will be a shame to loose the markings in favour of the 514th, but hey, War Is Hell.
The site is one of a chain of Nepoleonic Forts surrounding Portsmouth UK, (Including Fort Southwick of D-Day fame) and for those interested in such things there is plenty of reading to be had on a simple Google search. For further information
www.googleearthhacks.com/ has a plot of these, if you search under UK specific.
080505-__Fortifications_around_Plymouth_[51382]
This is incorrectly titled
Forts around Plymouth. There IS another reference to Forts around Plymouth too.
My thanks go to those of you that took the time to post up, and to the individuals who took the trouble to help me with specific hard to find detail parts.
Without this forum It wouldn't have happened.
Karoshi