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Today ive been painting the engines tin work. Ive also sorted out a better exhaust, - just got to drill out 3 broken studs in it. After hunting high and low I found out a NOS fuel top, also 2 serviceable sheer mounts, which were also repainted. The fan housing and hydraulic tank were also given the paint stripper treatment, (after it finally stopped raining.) The top of the hydraulic tank was filled and given several coats of paint, followed with a NOS hydraulic oil cap that was knocking about the workshop.

As Ive now have almost finished my other Power Packs (just waiting for a couple of little parts to finish), I thought I'd turn my attention to my Panther 101. The main reason I wanted one of these packs is that the chap who designed them sold the Solite rights to JCB then went straight out and set up a new company and designed this, changing it just enough that JCB couldn't stop him. Hopefully this should look good with my display The machine is very rough, however it does run very well with a slight blow on the exhaust. I thought I wasn't going to be able to date it as the i.d tag has fallen off, but by luck found a very faintly stamped set of numbers somewhere else on the chasis which puts it at 1985- exactly the same age as my wife! Ive managed to obtain an original manual- and by chance Ive discovered that I know the chap whos legs are in the second photo on the cover. Tonight I stripped all the rust and the minute amount of paint that was left on the chasis and given it several coats of etch primmer followed by Tackechi Red top coat ( The closest match I could find).But the photos of this will have to wait as I forgot to take my camera with me today. Although the engine is almost the same as the Solites, it should be a lot less of a headache to sort out as theres no electric start fitted to this machine. The part that ive given the most thought to is the top frame, this has a chrome finish that like the rest of the pack has quite a bit of corrosion. To have it re-chromed is out side of my budget so im going to see how good I can get it with a rattle can of Chrome effect paint.

Some of you know I've been looking to move for over a year, I finally made it last Friday. So now we are out in the countryside just a few miles from Malham. Scenery fantastic, modern conveniences lacking... We are on bottled water, no mobile, Internet or phone line. And get hot water from a tap if I leave the heating on full! Huge plus side, no neighbours, lots of countryside, land and areas to play We've been busy pla...tidying for the last few days. Here's a few pics, I know some of you like them there's videos too, but currently on free wifi and dont have time.

Use your mouse or arrow buttons to see 360 degrees around the P-51 Mustang and see the F-22 Raptor off its wing tip

We can but help him in his quest Norm !!

If he keeps getting rid of stuff, he'll be able to get in his workshop.

Mr Showman has just donated a pair of front tyres to the project, what a star... :bow:

You just want to upset me Tyke. Could well be though. Last time I was at Malham was on my bicycle.

The original idea was to build one good machine out of the two, but who knows...

Thanks Ian....... Couldn't resist starting to put it back together! Managed to get this far yesterday....... the cylinder and bottom blade are being dropped off at a mates for grinding. He works at a golf course and will be doing it over his lunch break.

It's a great website isn't it I think it's the one most of us go to first to look up lathe stuff..

Thought I'd investigate the blow on the exhaust. - Was a bit shocked to see how much was missing under the chrome cover as it genuinely sounded like a very small hole! I do have a slightly better one in my store, not perfect but should suffice until I can turn up a couple of better condition ones. The Paint is now dry on the chasis, I fitted the end caps and tried to fit the wheels, unfortunately they were too long for the axle so had to be thinned down with the grinder. The tin work off the engine has been soaked in paint stripper, then run over with a flap disc, now ive got the time consuming job of filling all the dents and pitting, still its easier than stripping the Nylon coating off the jcb's.

Just a few I took. My hotel for the weekend. Sutton Haulage in the arena. I would have liked to have taken this Gunsmith home. The line up. A motley crew.

Good idea Gareth

Started the task of painting all the parts in Green today Here is a couple of piccies...... You don't realise just how many bits there are??? Will leave the paint to harden for a couple of days before starting the re-assembly........