OK, now I feel compelled to say something. I've known Colin Dibnah for about five years and I heard about this tragedy earlier this week. I considered Colin a friend. The only business dealing I ever had with him was my selling parts to Colin. I never bought any vehicles from him, though I certainly drooled over his stockpile of M818's and M920's.
I saw Colin and his family last year at a parade in Riverside, CA and I last saw Colin just a month ago at the March Field Air Museum. We had lunch with some of the museum staff and volunteers, including Colin's dad Tony.
Tony Dibnah is an English WWII vet and he also served in Palestine in 1948. I can't imagine the pain Tony is going through right now.
Colin had a genuine enthusiasm for military vehicles. I showed up once with my M1009 pulling my M416 trailer and Colin commented how they looked good together. We talked about converting the M416 lights to 12 Volts. Colin then happily showed me the M818's and M920's. When I saw him a month ago he was interested in the receiver hitch I had installed on the deuce.
I am sorry to hear about the vehicle sales that went sour here. I don't know what personal demons were tormenting Colin recently. I will say that I saw no sign of anything wrong when I saw Colin in June.
I will miss him.