Some of you may recall that, as a military vehicle enthusiast, my current project was to restore a DUKW, an amphibious truck of WW2 vintage. Although I am able to sort most of the mechanical items, I am not much good at welding so I had found a very good local fabricators who were prepared to undertake the work on an "as & when" basis. It was moved from my old house to their premises in November last year where it has sat ever since awaiting my first payment. Having secured funds a friend & I went to the factory last week to get things under way only to find that the DUKW was not there! Imitially I assumed that it had been moved around the corner as its space may have been needed but when I asked the staff I was informed that a low loader had arrived in June with orders from the owner (me) to take it away! The staff allowed the 30 ft, 7 ton hull to be loaded & driven away. It had been stolen!
The theft was reported to the gendarmes & cosequently I was contacted by the paper "Sud Ouest" who ran a piece about the stolen DUKW. They did not get my name right but it is the publicity which is important - it might jog some memories, I thought. This was followed by a phone interview for "The Sun" & a visit from "Charente Libre". This morning I will have a visit from France 3 TV.
The publicity is good to make people aware of the crime but I am getting quite concerned that, no matter what I actually say, the articles seem to become more & more inaccurate, no surprise really but I do worry about the long term fallout. One paper stated that I was angry with the fabricators for letting the DUKW go - I am not "angry", more very surprised as I am only a phone call away & feel that they are almost as much a victim as I am. When they read the paper they will now be very anti me which will make future contact strained.
I have agreed to this TV interview for which I shall try to find a translator as I am liable to use the wrong words or miss subtleties which can change what I am trying to say. Perhaps it does not matter - the reporters seem to have written the story before they arrive & have their own agenda anyway.
I just want my DUKW back.
Mark,
Glad to see Donald has come home.
Couple of questions what is her history?
I see she has MOD(RN) plates
And Margate harbour looks good. The shrewd investor will be buying properties in and around Margate. That place is ripe for improvement and a lovely quintessential English seaside town.
Well if you do have to weld it yourself then I would suggest that Satinex rods from Murex are great...Just get the rod thickness right for the steel. They give an easy continuous weld. The most important part of welding is to really really clean up the joint first. Rust and paint make the weld hop and blow.
Bon chance
Here's an idea - you can probably get the newspaper to apologize publicly or print a correction of the wording used. The idea is that they could be held liable for what they printed if you consider it tarnishes your public image, or that of the company your partnered with.
"I hope the culprits get a good slap!"
On the wrist do you mean? Oh, silly me, that's Britain! I hope they are a bit stricter here & the punishment really fits the crime. Make the thieves tow it back by hand maybe? Then jail 'em!!
Very pleased for you that it's been found. I hope the culprits get a good slap!
I see from Sud Ouest your DUKW was found at a scrapyard in Libourne. Great news.
Thank you all. Here is a photo of it outside the fabricators in St Aigulin. Before I am bombarded by comments about its condition I should point out that the hull is just a skin of flat sheet steel which with the right kit can be cut & bent to fit then welded to the inner ribs. Unlike a car the panels are just 8 x 4 sheets of 2mm steel with no special curves or shapes. Although easy to do it nevertheless is much more than I could do at home! I do the mechanical stuff...
ABOVE. as it looked when last seen.
BELOW. As it was when in service before retirement.
My previous DUKW in Margate harbour just before I moved over here.This is how the stolen one would have lokked when completed.
Yeah Mark, upload the photo of your DUKW, it might go viral and you and your DUKW might become even more famous! I have over 95,000 Twitter Followers, one of them might be the thief, or know who is the thief - John
I agree with Marie-Antoinette - the thought crossed my mind this morning when I read this. Who knew it was yours that could ring the Fabricators and pretend to be you and "authorise" the removal? Why don't you post a couple of photos here, and we can all keep an eye out, particularly as I have no idea what a DUKW looks like. Does it have any unique markings, etc.? Best of luck.
Mark, I saw the article in Sud Ouest and wondered at the time if it was yours. I am sorry you lost the big item and as you say the more it is talked about the more chances you have to recover your DUKW, you also need to think of how many people you mentioned that the DUKW was in that shop .
What a bummer!! Look on the bright side however. At the moment it is saving you money & when you eventually track it down, as I am sure you will, it might be fully restored.
If I see one driving through our village en route to the sea, be assured, I will let you know :-)
