- 27 Dec 2011
New Santa SleighWith the jeep finally back on the road, I deciided to do something a little different this Christmas Eve.
We loaded up the jeep with three Elves, and travelled the local area giving out Candy Canes and beeping cars in the traffic beside.
- 01 Dec 2011
2011 December
NewsletterThe December newsletter is out on the stands.
Want to be published?, Submit an article for the Web or paper versions.
This copy of the newsletter is password protected. If you are a VMVC member, email info@vmvc.org.au to receive
- 01 Nov 2011
2011 November
NewsletterThe November newsletter is out on the stands.
Want to be published?, Submit an article for the Web or paper versions.
This copy of the newsletter is password protected. If you are a VMVC member, email info@vmvc.org.au to receive
- 01 Oct 2011
2011 October
NewsletterThe October newsletter is out on the stands.
Want to be published?, Submit an article for the Web or paper versions.
This copy of the newsletter is password protected. If you are a VMVC member, email info@vmvc.org.au to receive
- 01 Sept 2011
2011 September
NewsletterThe September newsletter is out on the stands.
Want to be published?, Submit an article for the Web or paper versions.
This copy of the newsletter is password protected. If you are a VMVC member, email info@vmvc.org.au to receive
Nuffield 1943 Airborne jeep Prototype Andrew S has been hard at work on his replica of the 1943 Arborne Jeep designed by Nuffield Enterprises for the British Airborne.
- 24 May 2011
Lined Up
VMVC membersit was one of those nice late autumn days, when the weather was still warm, when I received a call from Scott, one of the members of our club.
Scott turned up to my place with Dann, both bringing their jeeps fro a run. I decided we could not miss the opportunity to line up the jeeps for a photo shoot. Have a look at the photos by clicking on the photo or this link.
- 01 August 2010
Wehrmacht Wagon
It’s been an exciting time for Jim H. , who must have quadrupled his collection of vehicles in the last six months.
Jim with the help of Ray has finally collected the long anticipated container of goodies from Adolf. Amongst which but not all was a Steyr Truck, Kubelwagen, hand cart and lots of other goodies.
- 01 August 2010
B25 Shoot
President Gino contacted because he is feeling so down with the world that he wasn’t even interested in a photo shoot with sexy models and the B24 /Jeep combination. This is a very bad sign for Gino’s I hope these photos don’t make him feel even worse.
The concept was to photograph the models with the Jeep and B 24 as part of a 40’s theme pin up girl.
- 12 June 2010
Echuca Steam Rally 2010There was a good turn out for the Steam Rally at Echuca this year. With Motivation provided by our Secretary 0 Gordon, Russ H got in the mood with a WW2 Arnhem themed display.
- 12 June 2010
Terra QuadQUAD vehicles don't come much tougher than the new Terra Quad all-terrain vehicle. Shown at last week's Seymour Alternative Farming Expo by Loaded Dog Systems, the Terra Quad has centre rotational articulation.
Corowa 2010 - VMVC Blog JThe VMVC has arrived at Corowa 2010. I have started a Blog page to give some details of the happenings over the week. Check out the page and photos
Steamfest 2010 - Swimming the LVT John B has been out playing in the water again. See the latest video of John swimming his Buffalo LVT at Steamfest 2010. Thanks to Rod for submitting the video.
- 1 December 2011 - President News
To All and Sundry
First of all I would like to wish all of the VMVC Members and their families a blessed and merry Christmas, and a safe and prosperous new year. Thanks to the behind the scenes‘ VMVC members and committee for their work in running the magazine and teck support
While we are on thank you‘s I would like to take this opportunity to thank the convoy leaders and tale end Charley‘s that so often take control and help us safely run our club convoys. Special mention to Ben Hemmings and John Brown who have modified their vehicles for the task. Convoys to me are a great way to travel on and to our events. Giving us a sense of unity when travelling and with military vehicles having generally slower speeds than the rest of the travelling public we need to use some common sense. So here are some guidelines.
-Trip leader shall appoint 'Tail-end Charlie' for each trip and have CB communication to them.
-Headlights on.
-Before the commencement of a trip inform all members participating on the intended route and ensure they are on the correct radio channels.
-No vehicle shall pass the trip leader except in an EMERGENCY
-When travelling on sealed roads always leave an adequate distance between vehicles to allow others to overtake safely.
-Always keep the vehicle behind you in sight on both sealed and unsealed roads. When you come to a turn, wait where the driver of the following vehicle can see your vehicle until the vehicle behind you has identified the correct route.
-In wet and muddy conditions, hilly country or when your brakes are wet, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
-Always stay in your allotted convoy position and do not leave the convoy without first advising the trip leader.
-Always advise the vehicle in front of you if you need to stop by flashing your headlights or use the designated CB channel.
As I said these are guidelines only, they will assist us in safely getting to our destination.
Don‘t forget our VMVC Christmas break up at John Bellfield‘s this December on Sunday the 11th at 11am.
Its been a busy year, looking forward to an active VMVC calendar of events in 2012.
Merry Christmas and see you on the track
Keep on Truckin
Rod M.
Join the VMVCAre you interested in Military Vehicles? Why not join the VMVC!! Follow the link below and download the application form. You can email or post a completed form to our Vice-president.
Download a Word verison of the Aplication Form
Download a PDF verison of the Aplication Form
About the Victorian Military Vehicle CorpsThe VMVC is a non-profit club run by enthusiasts of ex-military vehicles. The club is based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. New members are welcome. The club will provide friendship, technical help and fun !
Meetings are held at the Rats of Tobruk hall, 44 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park on the first Tuesday of the month ( no meeting in January ).
There is street side parking in Victoria Avenue, and you can enjoy a nice meal at one of the cafes prior to the Monthly Meeting, or partake in a pizza, delivered to Tobruk Hall at the end of the formal part of the night.
Club members will often stay at the hall and discuss issues related to the Military Vehicle Hobby, or just catch up with members they have not seen for awhile.
Meetings begin at 8 pm
Dingo, an Aussie Dog In early 1941, the Australian Army was faced with the difficulty of equipping the Armoured Division that was in the process of being raised - while obtaining tanks and armoured cars was difficult enough, such a division also required some 210 scout cars as a part of its normal establishment.
The resulting vehicle, named the Dingo - which bore little resemblance to the similarly named vehicle produced by Daimler for the British Army - used commercially available parts (including a Ford 30-cwt commercial lorry chassis) and an angular, all-welded hull manufactured from locally produced armour plate.
The Dingo scout car, unfortunately, was a flawed vehicle. From the outset, problems were found with the strength of the front axle assembly, driving the vehicle for any length of time was found to be exhausting due to the cramped nature of the driver's position, visibility for the driver was very poor, and the weight of the vehicle (at some 4.7tons when fully equipped) severely restricted off-road performance such that the type was more or less limited to roads or hard surfaces
The Australian Dingo scout car did not see active service abroad with the Australian Army
- 1 November 2011
- Q Store
- 50 year cloth patch $8
VMVC Car sticker $5
Epaulettes $12
Square Jumper Badges $5
Round Logo Jumper badges $5
Red Shoulder Flashes $5
Metal Hat Badges $5
VMVC TAC Stickers $3.00
Small TAC holders metal $3.50
Small TAC plate metal $2.00
Club Base ball caps $12
CH rules booklet $5 - Contact the Quartermaster Paul J. to pre-order items.
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Club Meetings Are held the first Tuesday of each month, at 8pm.
View 44 Victoria Ave, Albert Park in a larger map
Rats of Tobruk keep on giving
Age has certainly not wearied the generosity of the Rats of Tobruk.
A group of the World War II veterans from Melbourne has donated $1.5-million to the Royal Children's Hospital.
Not many "Rats" are left, but their legacy will live on at the Royal Children's Hospital.
Rats of Tobruk Victorian president, Alan Eldridge presided over Friday's official ceremony to hand over the donation.
"We do hope that it corrects serious head damages to thousands of kids over the years to come," he said.
The Rats raised the money through the sale of their Albert Park hall where they have met for more than 50 years.
Businessman, Bill Gibbons, bought the meeting hall in 2007 when the Rats could no longer afford its upkeep.
But the former soldiers were never asked to move out and they continue to meet there every month.
"We still meet, have a beer after and put the world in order," Mr Eldridge said.
The former soldiers fought in one of Australia's most successful military engagements, holding the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps in World War II.
The hospital's neuroscience unit has been named the "Rats of Tobruk Ward" in honour of the contribution.
One boy who has spent a lot of time there is five-year-old Joel Rees.
He suffered a stroke two years ago, paralysing the left side of his body.
His father, Luke Rees today praised the donation.
"They gave it all for their freedom and that and now they're just continuing it on for the children now so it's just very overwhelming," he said.
The Chairman of the Royal Children's Hospital, Tony Beddison, says the donation will have a lasting impact.
"It's wonderful, it's going to make a difference.
"The $1.5 million will fund a fellowship in the neuroscience department and it will live on and on and on as a wonderful legacy from the Rats of Tobruk," he said.
Victoria's Rats of Tobruk have donated $1.5-million to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital. (ABC TV News)