question Bedford QL keycard

I got the Keycard with my Bedford QL on it, reg no. 56-RE-88, does anyone know know what binned mean and the unit? which is filled in?

Groeten

Hendrik

Binned could be fitted out with storage racking.

16 BVD - 16 ? Base Vehicle Depot

Binned could be fitted out with storage racking.

 

16 BVD - 16 ? Base Vehicle Depot

Storage racking? I don't think so, can't find any evidence for it, 16 Base Vehicle Depot could be. The Ql was overhauled in 1960 and looks like been disposed 5-1985. It has about 1400 miles on the odometer and everything looks like it are the original miles after the overhaul, everything except the rubber parts looks like new. For example the brake hoses were solved from the brake fluid after 57 years.

Storage racking? I don't think so, can't find any evidence for it, 16 Base Vehicle Depot could be. The Ql was overhauled in 1960 and looks like been disposed 5-1985. It has about 1400 miles on the odometer and everything looks like it are the original miles after the overhaul, everything except the rubber parts looks like new. For example the brake hoses were solved from the brake fluid after 57 years.

BVD, normally means 'B' Vehicle Depot in the UK. The 'B' denotes softskin vehicles. The depot was in Belgium at that time and from records, it seems it was termed Base Vehicle Depot. 'Binned' means Stores, Binned which could have been its original role and probably rebuilt as a normal cargo truck. The body may well have been swapped as the postwar number denotes a Rebuilt vehicle, and if done on a large programme, the bodies and cab were likely mixed up.

BVD, means 'B' Vehicle Depot. The 'B' denotes softskin vehicles. I think the depot was in Belgium at that time. 'Binned' means Stores, Binned which could have been its original role and probably rebuilt as a normal cargo truck. The body may well have been swapped as the postwar number denotes a Rebuilt vehicle, and if done on a large programme, the bodies and cab were likely mixed up.

I think this makes sense, the former owner bought the QL from a dealer in Belgium in 87. There is stamped QLD on the chassis with a chassis number which is made unreadable, so I think mixing and renumbering did happen.

Groeten

Hendrik

Would the British army have kept a QL Bedford until 1985 ? The other disposal dates are 1959-61 .

Would the British army have kept a QL Bedford until 1985 ? The other disposal dates are 1959-61 .

Hi Mike,

I started working for the army in 1974 and I think it was 1975, a QL with Office body came in for a gearbox change. I believe the truck was cast (disposed of) the following year. Most remaining QL's in units would have gone around that time. It was interesting to see documents of vehicles still in service around that time, with a number of WW2 veterans hanging on. Not sure of exactly when but think it was late 70's a number of WW2 Leyland Hippos were brought out of storage from a British vehicle depot in Belgium to supplement the heavy vehicle fleet until the Foden 16 tonne came into service. We had a number in the area.

Going back to the QL in question, I think it could have been kept in service if it had a specialised body or role, and as the Key Card has "Binned" against its entry, then this would be why. The same happened with other trucks that had special roles and bodies. The earlier disposal dates you have noted would be for normal GS cargo trucks.

My own QL had been transferred to the Danish army in the late 40's and disposed of in 1987 from reserve storage.

cheers Richard

Going back to the QL in question, I think it could have been kept in service if it had a specialised body or role, and as the Key Card has "Binned" against its entry, then this would be why. The same happened with other trucks that had special roles and bodies. The earlier disposal dates you have noted would be for normal GS cargo trucks.

 

My own QL had been transferred to the Danish army in the late 40's and disposed of in 1987 from reserve storage.

 

cheers Richard

Specialized body or use could be wright, the former owner told me there had been a generator or something like that in the rear.

As it was reconditioned in 1960(see the plate) I think it was in the Army a long time after that.

Groeten

Hendrik

Specialized body or use could be wright, the former owner told me there had been a generator or something like that in the rear.

As it was reconditioned in 1960(see the plate) I think it was in the Army a long time after that.

 

Groeten

 

Hendrik

Hi Hendrik,

A bit more history for you, the rebuild was done in 23 Base Workshop REME, in Wetter, Germany.

Hi Mike,

I started working for the army in 1974 and I think it was 1975, a QL with Office body came in for a gearbox change. I believe the truck was cast (disposed of) the following year. Most remaining QL's in units would have gone around that time. It was interesting to see documents of vehicles still in service around that time, with a number of WW2 veterans hanging on. Not sure of exactly when but think it was late 70's a number of WW2 Leyland Hippos were brought out of storage from a British vehicle depot in Belgium to supplement the heavy vehicle fleet until the Foden 16 tonne came into service. We had a number in the area.

Going back to the QL in question, I think it could have been kept in service if it had a specialised body or role, and as the Key Card has "Binned" against its entry, then this would be why. The same happened with other trucks that had special roles and bodies. The earlier disposal dates you have noted would be for normal GS cargo trucks.

 

My own QL had been transferred to the Danish army in the late 40's and disposed of in 1987 from reserve storage.

 

cheers Richard

Richard, was that beast a Pay Corp vehicle by any chance? If it was, I think I know the one. It also has a plate Converted to Office in 1952. If so it was actually the Y Service one.

Richard, was that beast a Pay Corp vehicle by any chance? If it was, I think I know the one. It also has a plate Converted to Office in 1952. If so it was actually the Y Service one.

No Tony, it was the CO's command vehicle from a Royal Engineers unit.

Thanks Richard.

Hi Hendrik,

A bit more history for you, the rebuild was done in 23 Base Workshop REME, in Wetter, Germany.

Thank you!!

Hendrik

Not sure of exactly when but think it was late 70's a number of WW2 Leyland Hippos were brought out of storage from a British vehicle depot in Belgium to supplement the heavy vehicle fleet until the Foden 16 tonne came into service.

Certainly a number of Leyland Hippos were brought out of storage for Ex CRUSADER 80. I was with 3TRRE at that time and a number came to us to be issued to TA units deploying on the exercise. In fact we retained them at Hawley and lent them our Militants instead, as they were thought likely to be more reliable and, good grief, faster! (well, everything's relative!). They had delivery mileage on the clocks and, the mod record showed very little except something like "turn lights fitted, 1963" - nothing else.

At the same time a number of fixed-fork Triumph motorcycles were issued as well, but, as I wasn't interested in motorbikes,stupidly, I didn't take much notice. But, talking of WWII kit lingering on, the Movement Light Squadron RE(V) at that time still had WWII searchlights with trailer-mounted Lister generators. I remember looking closely at one at the time - it had a brass maker's plate dated 1937 and, on the canvas, the faded outline of Mickey-Mouse-Ear camouflage could still be seen, quite clearly. And, certainly there were one or two QL office bodies about in the 70s - generally in support arms where annual mileage was very limited, but they met a specific requirement.

10 68

 

At the same time a number of fixed-fork Triumph motorcycles were issued as well, but, as I wasn't interested in motorbikes,stupidly, I didn't take much notice.

Hi,

I think you are describing the Triumph TRW 500cc twin, which although looking late 40's style, they were built right up until the early 60's. They had telescopic front forks, but a rigid rear end and sprung saddle. I had worked on some from the adjacent TMP back in the late 70's so not surprised they were brought out for Crusader 80. I recollect all the work we had getting vehicles ready for that exercise and the piles of repair work when they returned.

regards, Richard

Hi Hendrik,

I own a 1944 Bedford QLD and was lucky enough to have the relevant vehicle card come with the vehicle. The card is titled Truck, 3 ton, GS, binned (4x4). The vehicle registration range is 65 RE 66 to 65 RE 63. Mine was 65 RE 44 and recorded as binned. It also belonged to 16 BVD BAOR.

From the various research I have conducted I have found out the following information (if any of this is wrong please feel free to correct me).

16 Base Vehicle Depot RAOC was Camp C at Olen (Belgium?). Based there approx 1952 - 1960's. The base was used for the storage and shipment of vehicles and held for TA units for exercise. Vehicles out of service were returned (to the UK?) via Olen.

My QLD was sold in the UK at auction in 1977. There is an engine rebuild plate dated 26.2.54 at 22 Base Workshops REME. During restoration I found a unit ID for 3rd Armoured Division but I don't know anything else about its history. When I bought it the previous owner had replaced the old wooden load bed with new wood so there is no evidence of what may have been fitted in the rear.

According to Barts Bedford book vehicles 65 RE 32 to 67 RE 63 were binned post war.

I hope this helps.

Mark