Steel Soldiers MV of the month 2015 - Decemeber VOTE HERE

[patracy]

Please vote here for your favorite MV of the month. And contestants, please feel free to "campaign" for votes here as well! Let's have at it!

Please campaign only in the thread, not PMing people.

1. bigmike


2. sandcobra164


3. M215


4. MidwestMilitaryEquipment


5. The Stig


6. 18operator


7. GUNNUT in Iowa


8. Shuck906


9. MyothersanM1


10. bigflew


11. dmetalmiki


12. ZiggyO


13. gottaluvit


14. Coffey1


15. jasonjc


16. theDIZ


17. jrobinson5093

 

[Foxtrot Oscar]

I usually vote for any CUCV but this month I say Vote for "bigmike" and his beautiful bike. Grateful thanks for restoring a Kiwi Indian (and in memory of Bert Munro).

 

[sandcobra164]

They all are so nice looking this month!!! With that in mind, I think I'm going to vote for Coffey1 instead of my own truck. As I get older, the trucks get bigger and I'm trying to progress to where the trucks get smaller. If it were an M151, I would have voted twice already!!!

 

[theeDIZ]

Big Mike got my vote , I've always had a thing for old Harley's and Indians.

 

[Scar59]

That's a fact, Mike's Bike. Really nice work, attention to detail.

 

[papabear]

I had to vote for Mike as well. Although the other vehicles are very worthy that motorcycle is just

Funny...someone posted this on facebook today:

 

[Another Ahab]

We got an excellent collection of vehicles this month; what a great mix.

 

[patracy]

That Indian gets my vote too.

 

[Another Ahab]

That Indian gets my vote too.

I was going to wait to vote after the debates.

There WILL be televised debates, right!?

 

[jasonjc]

We need a trud truck of the month so I can stand a chance.

 

[Another Ahab]

We need a trud truck of the month so I can stand a chance.

You got nothing to worry about, jasonjc; your rig looks great.

Don't let the pundits rain on your parade. It "ain't" over 'till it's over.

 

[M215]

Our halftrack project has been a work in process for 10 years with on only a handful of details remaining to be completed. What started out as a worn out stripped chassis has slowly come together by acquiring all the various pieces parts. Basically, this was the only way we could ever afford such an undertaking. When asked about the halftrack, I like to describe it as “Preserving history and honoring the brave”

 

[Another Ahab]

Our halftrack project has been a work in process for 10 years with on only a handful of details remaining to be completed.
View attachment 599615View attachment 599616

That restoration of yours is absolutely phenomenal; it looks terrific!

Say, you didn't maybe fly Tinwoodsman up from Texas to do all that picture-perfect work for you. Did you!?

 

[zout]

Just had to toss that vote in there for Coffey1 for for personal specific reasons.

 

[bigmike]

The Indian story

This 1941 Indian was quite the project. I found it, completely civilianzed and in pretty poor shape (ran when parked???). The guy I bought it from said his dead business partner brought it back from New Zealand. I did a serial number search and the bike's serial number (engine and frame) aligned with the information I found regarding the batch of Indian bikes that went to NZ for the war effort. As I tore into the bike, I found traces of O.D. paint . I scoured the globe looking for the replacement parts needed to restore it to military-correct. I never served in the armed forces but I restore my vehicles as a tribute to all veterans. I'm just sorry there are so few WWII vets alive today who will see this bike. I really appreciate the votes and kind words.

 

[Another Ahab]

This 1941 Indian was quite the project.

A stick shift:

- The bike is sporting a STICK SHIFT!!

 

[Foxtrot Oscar]

An Aside for Ahab

Correct for the 741B Indian Ahab. Many of these bikes (And Harley's) were used by the NZ Army Dispatch Riders during WWII.

The US left many bikes, Jeeps, trucks etc behind when they departed after VJ Day. Normally there would have been a charge or Lend-Lease arrangement but it is widely known that the US Army gifted much equipment to little ol' NZ in grateful thanks for the assistance given and extreme hospitality shown, by NZ'rs to the GI's who were so far from home during training and build-up to the War in the Pacific. Most vehicles went to work on farms or in forestry.

Legend has it we even helped develop a secret safe harbour anchorage ("Somewhere" in the South Island) for the US Pacific Fleet in the event of a second 'Pearl Harbour' so they had somewhere to run to. The shore buildings are still there... The concept of Urban Camouflage was developed such that military buildings were disguised to look like something totally benign. One shore battery (North Island) looked like a holiday park from the air. The Director building (still standing) resembles an ice-cream kiosk.


Anyway... So - back to the lovely Indian before you dear people. Consider... It was: built in the USA, shipped halfway round the world, crossed the equator, served your forces and ours, (Maybe went to Europe or North Africa even. We bring our gear home as we can't afford to buy new all the time), acted with civilian dignity after being de-mobbed, repatriated (more travel & another equatorial escapade) back to the USA, languished unloved for some time, rescued and painstakingly restored by Mighty Mikes Mechanical Magic and displayed here for your voting pleasure.

How can you not VOTE FOR MIKES BEAUTIFUL BIKE ?

I have no connection to Mike but I love the fact that his bike was in my country. Thanks for supporting his entry.

 

[bigflew]

BIGFLEW'S updated pics


Here are a couple current pictures. Santa worked hard finding something for everyone.

 

[bigmike]

Correct for the 741B Indian Ahab. Many of these bikes (And Harley's) were used by the NZ Army Dispatch Riders during WWII.

The US left many bikes, Jeeps, trucks etc behind when they departed after VJ Day. Normally there would have been a charge or Lend-Lease arrangement but it is widely known that the US Army gifted much equipment to little ol' NZ in grateful thanks for the assistance given and extreme hospitality shown, by NZ'rs to the GI's who were so far from home during training and build-up to the War in the Pacific. Most vehicles went to work on farms or in forestry.

Legend has it we even helped develop a secret safe harbour anchorage ("Somewhere" in the South Island) for the US Pacific Fleet in the event of a second 'Pearl Harbour' so they had somewhere to run to. The shore buildings are still there... The concept of Urban Camouflage was developed such that military buildings were disguised to look like something totally benign. One shore battery (North Island) looked like a holiday park from the air. The Director building (still standing) resembles an ice-cream kiosk.


Anyway... So - back to the lovely Indian before you dear people. Consider... It was: built in the USA, shipped halfway round the world, crossed the equator, served your forces and ours, (Maybe went to Europe or North Africa even. We bring our gear home as we can't afford to buy new all the time), acted with civilian dignity after being de-mobbed, repatriated (more travel & another equatorial escapade) back to the USA, languished unloved for some time, rescued and painstakingly restored by Mighty Mikes Mechanical Magic and displayed here for your voting pleasure.

How can you not VOTE FOR MIKES BEAUTIFUL BIKE ?

I have no connection to Mike but I love the fact that his bike was in my country. Thanks for supporting his entry.

According to my research, here is a picture of NZ Army riders, in France, riding Indian 741B motorcycles. Maybe one if these is actually my bike

 

[Another Ahab]

View attachment 599923
Here are a couple current pictures. Santa worked hard finding something for everyone.

Did you check Santa for his CDL!?