What's a Wheelie?

Anyone who has served in the Navy (except maybe the USN) should recognise a wheelie - or valve wheel spanner to give it a more formal name. These are the oddest looking tool but the best solution for providing a little extra leverage to open or close stiff valves. I had used these in the Australian Navy and was disappointed to find we had none onboard the AFRICA MERCY when we joined. So I did a google search to find out where I could obtain one and found that they were forged in Yeovil, Somerset (UK) only 5 miles from my aunt and uncle. So whilst in the UK visiting the family over the summer I contacted Robin Green of Wessex Forgings who offered to donate an eight inch and twelve inch wheelie. In fact Robin even personally delivered it to us at my aunt and uncle's place the day before we flew out.

Robin Green donating two wheelies to Mick

Robin recounted how his grandfather had designed the original wheelie and that he was still supplying to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and had just received an order for 700 from the USN. He also continues to receive special orders for chromed wheelies for presentos., probably to ex-matelots. And of course they have a Nato Stock Number (NSN) stamped into them, 5120-99-437-5897.

Thanks Robin and Wessex Forgings for your support of us and Mercy Ships. For all of you who have just found out about the tool you have always desired their contact details are:

http://www.wessexforgings.co.uk
http://www.wheelspanner.co.uk