Look out for strange ducks

[Twister_Ken]

Last Saturday there was an unadvertised gathering of amphibious vehicles near Chiswick Bridge on theThames, by the appropriately named Ship pub.

The enthusiasts came from various parts of Europe and one even crossed the North Sea in his DUKW from Norway. Most of it was filmed and should be shown next Spring in a series called 'River Tales' which unsurprisingly are tales about the River Thames.

A <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wrenster.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Ducks/ducks_index.htm> website </A>with some photos of what went on throughout the day has been put up by a Chiswick resident.

Eat your hearts out 4X4 drivers - bet your cars can't do this...


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[trev]

Good to see someone using the correct spelling 'DUKW' - but where does it come from?

<hr width=100% size=1>Trev

 

[Twister_Ken]

World famous yacht designer

Also designed the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again

 

[Mirelle]

Well I never knew that!

Absolutely fascinating!

I seem to remember that "Half Safe" was the name of the amphibious Jeep that actually crossed the Atlantic some time in the late 50's or early 60's - the owners, an American couple, wrote a book about it. Petrol was cheaper then...

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[MartinGPerry]

Talking of strange vehicles, there was a large traditional canal boat moored on the piles in Yarmouth Harbour last weekend, would be interesting to meet him in fog crossing the channel

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[Evadne]

Re: Well I never knew that!

"Half Safe" by Ben Carlin, my 2nd favourite "nutters" book (after the "Bombard story", of course). Well worth looking out for in 2nd hand book shops.
I think he was actually an Aussie. The book was written halfway through their circumnavigation, when the got to the UK. ("Eagle" comic apparently did one of their famous cut-away diagrams of the vehicle and its trailer) and I've never found out how they actually made it back to Oz. It was probably overland, mostly.

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[milltech]

In my youth in Cornwall there used to be a Gent who lived on Gillan Creek and who occasionally came up the river to Helford in a dukw, I was so impressed, just drove out of the river and stopped by the pub. Came complete with hoards of family and a dog.

He also occasionally arrived in a Chris Craft, all varnish and chrome, which I think impressed me more.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[ccscott49]

Oneof themis an Alvis stalwart, which just as a matter of interest, I did Army acceptance trials on, when I worked at P&EE at shoeburyness, wonderful vehicle, wish I had one now, you can stillbuy them from disposal. They even had dowty rotol waterjet propulsion.

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[Aramas]

That amphibious Jeep thingy was done by a fellow from Perth WA. The vehicle is now on display at his old school. I read a bit about it once, and yes, he did go overland for most of the rest of the way, with a bit of island hopping at the end.

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[Forbsie]

I was enthralled by them all last week while working on my boat. One day there must have been more than 50 of them including some more modern amphibious cars. It seems as if they don't want to go home because I saw one going down the slip again last night.

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