Ian43 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hello All, I was given a copy of this interesting post war photo a few years ago from a fellow Matador enthusiast and having recently re-discovered it I thought that it would be nice to know more about it, hence the When, Where & Why? Hopefully someone knows the answers. Thanks in advance, Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean N Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) I might be talking nonsense, but that doesn't look like a war photo. It might be wartime - though isn't that a Landrover up on the far bank? Beautifully organised convoy of the same unladen vehicles, soldiers standing formally on each pontoon, a grandstand or saluting stand in the background - I'd say it's an exercise or demonstration, probably put on for VIPs of some sort, and thus unlikely to be in a theatre of war. Afraid I have no idea what or where though. Edited August 25, 2015 by Sean N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian43 Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 I spotted the Land Rover myself which is why I described it as a post war photo. It certainly appears to be a formal event of some description. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 A Karrier K6 3 tonner on the far bank as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) It is a LAFB-light assault floating bridge designed in 1947 and pictured at the RSME-Royal School of Military Engineering at Chatham. The flatbed Matadors were used in conjunction with a trailer to transport the component parts. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=aa7gAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA275&lpg=PA275&dq=light+assault+floating+bridge&source=bl&ots=tgqT2ZV8_x&sig=TtuP7F-VbaWy90zvgtB3l0z5Cvc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CD4Q6AEwB2oVChMI7LyQlaXFxwIV0grbCh1QlgwR#v=onepage&q=light%20assault%20floating%20bridge&f=false It even shows a view of the half built bridge. Edited August 25, 2015 by radiomike7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean N Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I spotted the Land Rover myself which is why I described it as a post war photo.It certainly appears to be a formal event of some description. Ian. Isn't that odd, I read that as 'interesting war photo'. My apologies. Richard, I thought that might well be a K6 but my eyes obviously aren't as good as yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashcollection Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 It is a LAFB-light assault floating bridge designed in 1947 and pictured at the RSME-Royal School of Military Engineering at Chatham. The flatbed Matadors were used in conjunction with a trailer to transport the component parts. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=aa7gAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA275&lpg=PA275&dq=light+assault+floating+bridge&source=bl&ots=tgqT2ZV8_x&sig=TtuP7F-VbaWy90zvgtB3l0z5Cvc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CD4Q6AEwB2oVChMI7LyQlaXFxwIV0grbCh1QlgwR#v=onepage&q=light%20assault%20floating%20bridge&f=false It even shows a view of the half built bridge. On youtube there is a film of a visit by the Queen to Chatham, mid 50's ? not sure, it looks very much like that, worth a look lots of interesting lovely old plant working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Good find, here is the link: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/visit-of-the-queen-to-royal-engineers/query/chatham+queen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashcollection Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Good find, here is the link: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/visit-of-the-queen-to-royal-engineers/query/chatham+queen I spend hours looking through the old British Pathe films on youtube, some very good post war military stuff on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cingur Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 nice post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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