The Dream
The Project
The Dream
Growing up around camper vans that my dad always built. The dream was to ultimately do the same but live off grid, with no restrictions to the climate, from the blistering heat of the Sahara to the freezing ice of Norway. It's now my turn to follow in my dad's foot steps and build the ultimate camper of my dreams.
The aim
The Project
The Dream
My aim with this website is to document the whole project from my conceptual thoughts throughout all the various stages of the build. I will leave no rock unturned in my goal to build the ultimate expedition camper within my budget and constraints of everyday life. Follow me on the start of my story and future travels.
The Project
The Project
The Project
Phase one of the project started in choosing the right vehicle. I knew it had to be big and tough. I originally bought an ex-military 18 ton MAN HX60 4x4. This was UK road registered and MOT'd. But I had someone come forward who was desperate to get one asap and so sold it for a nice profit.
Dion
Moosejam
Moosejam
Over the years I've had a variety of camper vans. As a child growing up on the Isle Of Wight my dad built our very first one from a Bedford CF van. Then at the age of 9 we moved to Australia to live because of my dads job, and what a place to have a caravan, we went everywhere and it certainly made me realise what is out there in the real world.
3 years later back in the UK the vans just got bigger and bigger, I was hooked and I’ve been around them ever since. My latest being a Mercedes XLWB sprinter conversion 2 years ago.
I learnt my skills from my dad in the shed, it couldn't be helped as his job was unique, he was one of handful of Rocket engineers helping Britain in it's short lived secretive Space Programme back in the 60's, 70's. So my skills range from design, woodwork, metalwork, machining, electronics etc...
Over that time I have gained a mass of technical knowledge. I knew I had to build another camper and it had to be my ultimate dream, as well as a tribute to my father. And so a truck conversion it is. This website has come about in wanting to share my latest project with other like minded people. I hope you enjoy, and follow me on my journey.
Moosejam
Moosejam
Moosejam
Moosejam was my Siberian Husky who brought me such joy and happiness. He was my shadow and best mate for 9 years. No matter how bad your day was he was always there to bring a smile back to my face. As with all huskies there stamina, willfulness and eagerness to roam with a free spirit is just inspiring. No matter the weather he wanted to run and did he run, always in front of me on the quad bike, rain or snow. He was a true alpha male and a leader. Rest in peace mate.
I decided early on that this truck needed to be dedicated to not only my dad for his camper van projects over the years when growing up. But the truck needed a unique name, so 'MOOSEJAM' lives on. Below is the project logo design.
In recognition to my late father for not only getting me into camper vans, and giving me the skills to build my own. I would like to take this opportunity to promote his book called:
BLACK & WIGHT FIREWORKS
British Peroxide Rockets
By Derek Mack
ISBN-10: 1784566055
ISBN-13: 978-1784566050
This is a first hand account of 15 years as one of a few secretive British Rocket engineers. The book is an in depth technical guide to the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets. From there early development and static firings at Highdown, at that time a secret test facility near the Needles on the Isle Of Wight. Too the final launches nearly 10,000 miles away at Woomera Rocket range in South Australia.
Black Arrow was designed as a very capable satellite launcher, we now know it's real end goal was to carry nuclear payloads. But after a change of government policy in the 70's the project was dropped.
A few years back a team of four including myself where involved in displaying the last remaining Black Arrow rocket in its varies separate stages from The London Science Museum ceiling. It's still there today as a reminder to the short lived British Space programme.
The book is available to buy from Amazon for £19.50