Eager Beaver record Cards

[antarmike]

Has anyone any ideas. I wrote to RLC museum deepcut, to find the record card for my Eager Beaver. After some time they wrote back saying they did not hold any record cards for the APFLT. They said RE Museum, Chatham held the cards. I wrote to RE Museum and it has taken them six months to come back saying they don't hold any record cards for Eager Bearvers, but they have some general technical information on the model.

 

If RLC and RE Museums dont hold any record cards for any of the Eager Beaver Fork lift trucks, who else might?

[antarmike]

Any ideas whats going on then?

[fv1609]

Ah I see. I took that info from "Craftsmen of the Army" Vol 2 1969-1992. That was the only reference to 31 Comd Wksp, although written by two distinguished Brigadiers it is always best to go back to the "real" documents.

 

Looking in JSP 301 it lists inter-service vehicle recovery facilities in UK. This shows:

 

Det 31 Comd Wksp at Longtown

Det 31 Comd Wksp at Killingworth

31 Comd Wksp at Catterick

 

Sorry for confusion, I mustn't always believe what the officer tells me!

[antarmike]

I am confused.com.

This image is taken from the August 1970 User handbook for the Eager Beaver Mk1. The illustration must therefore have been taken before this date and must show either a prototype or a Mk1 E.B.

 

The Mk1 E.B. was a reworking of the original prototypes for issue to units but not incorporating all the modifications that would be in the MkII E.B. (the true production machine in accepted form)

 

Note it has no mudguards, so it might be a prototype.

 

But the Vehicle number 04 ZE 21 appears to be much later than my 1972 and 1976 models.

 

Was the ZE series a special allocation, and why is it being issued way ahaed of my FW and FZ numbers?

Edited January 2, 2009 by antarmike

[fv1609]

Was the ZE series a special allocation, and why is it being issued way ahaed of my FW and FZ numbers?

 

ZE was for forklift trucks from ex-WW2 until 1972/3

[antarmike]

Another shot of E.B.strpped for air transport, but this time the Fork Extensions are shown removed from the APFLT. But his time the forks are left on!

Compare post #42.

Edited January 2, 2009 by antarmike

[antarmike]

That work light again. This is the one I thought I could make out in some other photo's

Bottom mounted, (not on side brakets) and with a prominent clip at the top.

[antarmike]

and from the side.

[antarmike]

ZE was for forklift trucks from ex-WW2 until 1972/3

Cheers Clive, just shows that numbers aren't allways allocated as you might expect!

[antarmike]

Detail from post #81

 

and this is the deep (front to back) worklight that appears to have a handle on the back to direct the beam where you need it.

 

Seems to me that any old light was put on the E.B.

[antarmike]

Mike,

From my recollections of working with these, the User Handbook described how they could be transported by HS Andover or Hercules. Now I have never seen photos of one being loaded in an Andover, but it would have to be through side doors, so forks would be removed to keep length and height down. The removal of the fire extinguisher might be of an air safety issue as it is pressurised.

 

Got the handbook now, as you have probably worked out. It says air portable, stripped, in both Andover and Argosy or Unstripped in Hercules.

 

There is a dummy steering column, that has spanner flats at the top end, which replaces the wheel,so APFLT can be steered as it goes into the Aircraft, without the height of the dished steering wheel..You prbably have to watch your knuckles between the spanner and the cargo door!

Edited January 3, 2009 by antarmike

[rbrtcrowther]

Hello chaps.

 

I don't really know much about fork lifts but my local timber yard (Glaslyn fencing) used to have about 4 or 5 eager beavers and i think 2 are still in daily use and the others have been used for spares. One has a cab with glass windows. So i get my fire wood loaded by an eager beaver. I had no idea they were ex army. You learn something every day.

 

Rob.

[antarmike]

Where abouts is that yard? if I am ever passing I'd like to call in.

[Degsy]

The yard is on the A499 Caernarfon to Pwllheli road about 1 mile south of the village of Llanaelhaearn, its set in a patch of woodland on the left of the road.

[antarmike]

That's three with almost identical roll cages. It makes me wonder who was fitting them...

 

Make that four, I am sure the story that the Army retro fitted them to remaining E.B.'s that weren't going to be airlifted, to make them comply with more modern H&S regs is probably true!

Edited April 22, 2009 by antarmike

[antarmike]

This is 05 FW 35

Edited May 26, 2009 by antarmike

[84KB11]

Mike,

 

Is the newspaper ad recent, and do you know if it is still for sale?

 

Thanks

David

[antarmike]

it was inClasic Commercial Magazine. I saw advert yesterday, and rang up straight away but it had already sold. The guy still has it in his yard (in Devon) cos not yet collected, but it is sold to a guy in Barnstable. (who will be collecting it shortly.

[84KB11]

Isn't that always the way, see something you want at a price you can afford, and someone beats you to it!

Lets hope it was someone who wants to restore it, rather than just afer a cheap forklift to run into the ground.

[antarmike]

02 FW 35 again

Edited May 26, 2009 by antarmike

[antarmike]

02 FW 96

 

Date in Service 07/03/72

Chassis No: ROF.N.182

14/04/74 4 Light Regiment, Royal Artillery 24/05/74

 

 

 

In Bourlon Barracks, Catterick supporting 24 brigade

 

 

 

30/05/77 1 Bulk Stores Platoon (RAOC) 07/06/77

 

 

 

An Ordnance unit attached to 3 Division. I’m not sure of its location but possibly Perham Down.

 

 

 

10 Ordnance Support Battalion 03/03/82

 

 

 

19/11/82 Logistic Support Battalion, Falklands 01/12/82

 

 

 

It seems the vehicle was taken during the conflict (or shortly after) to the Falkland Islands.

 

 

 

09/07/83 Stores Coy RAOC (Veh Pl) FI 09/07/83

 

 

 

This looks to be a storage move – presumably the vehicle was now surplus to the requirements of the Falkland Islands.

 

 

 

11/06/83 CVD Ashchurch 04/08/83

 

 

 

The vehicle is returned to storage in the UK.

 

 

 

Fazakerley Co Ltd

 

 

 

This company, based in Liverpool, carried out repairs and overhauls on behalf of REME Contract Repair Branch.

 

 

 

Vehicle depot Ashchurch 01/06/84

 

 

 

Back to store

 

 

 

 

 

19/07/84 233 Squadron, Royal Corps of Transport (V) 23/09/84

 

 

 

This squadron was part of 155 (Wessex) Regiment and had a role supporting the UK Mobile Force. Its marking after the formation of 1 Brigade was ‘1/152’. It was based in Blighmont, Millbrook Road, Southampton with a Troop in Weymouth and another in Portsmouth. It was a Tipper Squadron.

 

 

 

24/04/89 ‘Struck off’ at ADT Blackbushe 02/10/89

 

I have been wondering if my Eager Beaver was actually taken to the Falklands with the task force or whether it went across later to support the Island Garrison.

 

Below are comments made by Colonel I.J. Hellberg, I found on the net. He commanded the Commando Logistic Regiment, Royal Marines.

 

"The Commando logistics Regiment Royal Marines is designed to support the Commando Brigade at light Scales in any environment. The Regiment is 80 RM cap-badged with the balance coming from specialist Navy and Army skills, It had been under established for the job it had to do and the Sqadron (HQ, Medical, Transport, Workshop and Ordnance) had to rely heavily on re-inforcements to bring it to war establishment. At the Start of the Falklands Crisis the Regiment numbered just 600 men. but for the Falklands operation it had been cut down to 346 Officers and men with 54 prime movers and 9 Motor cycles.

 

Prior to embarkation , the force was discouraged from taking ANY vehicles, as there were no roads on the Falkland Islands. It was The only exeption was the Volvo BV202 over snow vehicle that was reckoned to be able to cope with the F.I.'s soft peat.

 

Only after the strongest representaions , by CLR's Commander were the Regiment actually allowed to take 10 4,000 litre fuel podded 4 ton vehicles. and nine Eager Beavers and 9 Can-Ams.

 

The podded vehicles were 6 Civgas, 3 Dieso, and 1 AVCAT.

 

In the event one Civgas Podded 4 Tonner , One Eager Beaver, and one Can-Am were left in Ascension.

 

There was great concern that fuel would become a problem on the F.I.'s and that a serious price would be paid for the lack of Pods (and Jerry Cans *)

 

There was great concern that 8 Eager Beavers were insufficient.

 

9000 Tons of Stores, (30 days Combat Supplies and 60 days of Technical and General stores) and most of the Regiment including Regiment Headquarters, Transport, Workshops, and Ordnance Squadrons left Marchwood on 6th April onboard LSL Sir Lancelot. The medical Squadrons boarding the QE2.

 

At Ascension every thing came of the LSL Lancelot and was split between LSL's Sir Percival and Sir Galahad. Two LSL were used to lesson the impact of a ship being sunk.

I do not know whether the Eager Beavers were split between these two ships, but I guess they were, and as I said one of the 9 to leave England stayed on Ascension anyway.

 

The Initial andings took place on 21st May at St Carlos Waters . The fighting troops were all ashore in 4 1/2 Hours.

 

The CLR landed on the 22nd at Ajax bay. The Fuel started to be tranferred, all in Podded vehicles carried across on MEXEFLOTES.On the Island the fuel was pumped out by hand into Jerry Cans, before the Pods were floated back for more.

On 28th May 2 Para attacked Goose green and the demand for ammunition soared. At one time 105mm HE ran out and approx 4 Daily Ammunition Expenditure Rates were being used in a single 24 hour period.

 

June 1/2 saw HQ LFFI arrive with HMS Fearless together with 5 Infantry Brigade (2 scots guards, 1 Welsh Guards and 1/7 Gurkha rifles). Unfortunatley they brought little or no logistical support with them and the Commando Logistics Regiment were directed to become "Divisional troops" To Help CLR were given elements of 81 and 91 Ordnance Companies. Unfortunatley they came with no 4 Ton Podded vehicles, Eager beavers, Landing Craft or helicopters.

 

On 8th June both Sir Galahad and Sir Tristan, were attacked by Skyhawks and both were set on fire and had to be abandoned.

 

After the Argentinians surrendered , and the CLR left F.I. on Sir Percival on the 28th June. The logistic Support for the garrison passing to 81/91 Ordnance companies RAOC, 10 Field wksp REME, and one RCT troop.

 

The podded vehicles and the Eager Beavers were left behind by CLR who were sad to loose them. but they were all needed by 81/91 to fulfil their task.

 

In his post war analysis if the Commando Logistic Regiments experience of the war Colonel I.J. Hellberg says "The Eager Beavers performed magnificently but there were not enough! Suggest Eager Beavers be replaced simply with more Eager Beavers.""

 

It seems to me that Only 8 Eager Beavers went with the task Force, and that all 8 were left behind for Logistic Support to the Garrison. I think it reasonable to say that 02 FW 96 went out with the Task Force and landed with the main force. And was still on the Island for some time after peace broke out.

 

* for those who want to know, the official figure was 9,000 Jerry cans went to the Falkland Islands.

 

The Jerry can could have gone out to the Islands already full of fuel, but Health and Safety regulations back in Britain prevented this happening.

 

Several other souces say that only 28 vehicles went to the Falklands (excluding the BV202's.) I believe that 28 left the U.K. for the Islands but that three were left at Ascension, so actually only 25 vehicles took part in the campaign.

Edited April 6, 2010 by antarmike

[antarmike]

Eager Beavers and Mexeflote, Falkland Islands

[antarmike]

 

Winter cabbed E.B. behind craft?? THis appears to be after the surrender, because the other vehicles on the beach should not have been there during the conflict itself.

[antarmike]

http://www.falklandswar.org.uk/images/roy_burley_gallery/falklands25.htm

[AndyFowler]

Heres a nice one for you Mike ! Won second best in show at IWM Duxford today ! Spoke to the owner and he made it up from three vehicles over a few years ! Imaculate ! One for my lottery barn definitely ! :-D

[antarmike]

Yes, makes mine look decidedly scruffy!!

Wickenby wings and wheels 2009