Yorkie Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 Greetings. First post from a former Army driver (amongst other trades) hoping to become involved in returning a warhorse to the road. I’ve been browsing the boards, getting a feel for the place, and it would appear that this is the place for getting questions answered, and I’d be grateful for your assistance. Up where I live are a number of HMVs that appear to have spent their retirement in the logging business. I’ve got my eye on a Matador recovery wagon, but there’s also MkIII Militant and an RL with a jib on the back. But there is one truck that I’ve driven past frequently which, if I can persuade the owner to part with it, I’d like to restore. So, can anyone tell me if the Commer 3-ton GS is a worth-while restoration job? Seemingly rare enough to make it interesting, but does anybody have user handbooks, servicing schedules or historical data for them? All assistance gratefully received, especially anecdotes from the days it was in service. Naturally, photos to follow. Thanking you in anticipation. Andy Ottaway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteor mark 4B Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 After my army service, I worked at FVRDE on Chieftain. If "your" chieftain was under repair, you could be called upon to drive a tipper in the plant section. The tippers were....a Commer 3 tonner, and a Bedford RL tipper. That Commer sure was a b*****d to drive!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 There are very few Commers around, which is a shame. They seemed to lend themselves to be used as repair trucks, I have quite a few EMERs here that cover: Instrument repair Recuperator repair Armourers Electrical repair Fuel injection repair Tels Repair Radar repair At least one went to the Falklands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 26, 2006 Author Share Posted March 26, 2006 Thanks for the info, but the one I've got my eye on is almost certainly a GS, minus the load bed. This is a photo of a similar vehicle (with due credit to the original photographer). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 Ah I see, when you said 3-tonner I assumed Q4. The other would be rarer still. So multi fuelled then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteor mark 4B Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 No, it wasn't one of those I drove, it was the bonneted version. In my next job after FVRDE we had 8, I think of the type you are considering, only most of us didn't get to drive them, they were for the select few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 Thanks for the info, but the one I've got my eye on is almost certainly a GS, minus the load bed. This is a photo of a similar vehicle (with due credit to the original photographer. I see the EM reg now! They were under trial for the next fleet of 3 tonners. 05EM45 was one that took part in trials and demos at Chertsey, called a Commer CB. They classed as 4.5 ton and were pitted against a 4wd Austin FJ and a Bedford R Mk2, the later being the forerunner of the MK. The contract winner was Bedford with the MK to replace the RL. This Commer would have a multifuel version of the Rootes TS3 two stroke engine. There was a restored one in the Kent / sussex area a few years ago, it had the original body. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 26, 2006 Author Share Posted March 26, 2006 Thanks, guys, plenty there for me to go on. You've given me enough encouragement to see if I can prize the vehicle from the grasps of its current owner. Can't wait! I had an inkling that it might be a rare vehicle. Passed it a number of times, with just a glance at the OG drab, 4x4, typical Commer cab shape, but I struggled to find info on Commer trucks in military service. Sorry if the reference to '3-ton' was misleading - we always referred to the RL as a 3-tonner, as the MK came in with metrication we called it a 4-tonne®! Thanks once again. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 Good luck!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 27, 2006 Author Share Posted March 27, 2006 Following further research into Commer trucks in Australia and New Zealand, where the marque and TS3 engine were quite popular, it would appear that a number of these trucks were exported to Australia for use in construction projects. This may have a bearing on the scarcity of the type in the UK. Seems that only 22 were built - two for the FVRDE trials and 20 production models. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 If you're interested - theres this come up on MilWeb today: Commer 4x4 Cargo 1 of only 20 ever built as prototype to British Army. Commer 2 stroke diesel multi fuel engine, as new tyres. Fitted with Winch. Condition. £5,500. 07703295035 Kenneth Jackson 03 April '06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 Following further research into Commer trucks in Australia A complication of Commer export figures is that the Humber FV1601 exported to Australia was designated the Commer FV1601. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted April 5, 2006 Author Share Posted April 5, 2006 Thanks for the information, Neil. I'll have to see if it pops up on the circuit this year. Does anyone know if Kenneth Jackson is a member of this forum? I could do with some info. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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