Thanks Neil. The project is to keep me out of the bar when I'm away from home during the week as much as anything as well as saving a rare vehicle.

Belinda's got floors again!! After first bolting in both floors last night and fitting the outriggers to make sure all the holes lined up, I plug welded all round the 3 sides other than the sides that are bolted to the chassis (I expect that's obvious to everyone though!!). Having fitted the nearside panel last Thursday night with no problems, the offside panel was a bit of pig to line up all the holes but with a bit of "persuasion" it co-operated in the end. The seat belt mounting brackets were seam welded.

Having got the floors welded in on Monday night I spent last night sealing the edges inside, tidying up some messy welds and carrying out some localised repairs where the previous "craftsman" had chopped bits out of the sills.





After I'd done this I thought it was time I fitted the second wing so that I would have something to attach the engine wiring to when I start that as well as looking ahead and working out what I'm going to do with the front end.

As the wings are quite square in profile, they protrude quite far into the engine bay and although there is still a fair amount of room, I had to make sure the brake master cylinder and its mounting shroud were fitted properly as the proximity of the offside wing would make it slightly more difficult to do afterwards.





Unfortunately the wings had been cut to make room for the previous engine, but I don't think it's too much of a problem and I think any butchering will be covered by the front end and bumper.

I've been wondering lately whether to stick with the current bulbous front end or to fabricate something flatter similar to other Bedouins. I'm still not sure what to do as there is now quite a gap between the nose and the front of the standard chassis where the previous flat four engine was.





At first I thought that the existing nose would be too heavy to use now as there are no obvious mounting points to support it to the chassis, but there are 3 mounting points on each wing and if I can make up substantial enough brackets to secure THEM to the chassis, it may be ok.



At the moment, the wings and nose are only supported by 8 big bolts in the bulkhead (4 each wing) and they seem solid enough, so maybe the old nose is a goer.



As ever your suggestions, ideas, comments and wisecracks are welcomed. It's always nice to get feedback, good or bad.

It's really taking shape now, Bertie! I actually quite like the bulbous front panel, if it was mine i reckon i'd keep it.

what is the white roof bit

Apparantly it hinges back on the rear frame, flips upside down and forms the base of a tent (which I have got but not tried yet) which clips onto poppers along the sides. Here's a pic that Neil sent me. Looks like a circus tent, but hey - if it works, why not?

It's not a circus it's for Jousting!

That's more like it - a medieval tent!! At least I'll be able to find my way back to it when I'm leathered at meetings, eh?

reminds me of my setup of tents at the national

Hey Bertie! Belinda's really flying along now...just a couple of comments.

1. Did the paint that you've done your engine cowling come out of the can just like that? Is it an MOD special finish?

2. I'd wondered how the roof turns into a camper - looks similar in action to out trailer tent. Have you got all the canvas gubbins? I love the circus tent look, but I guess you'll be using some of that camo netty stuff.

Keep it up, matey!

Bx