6 X 6 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Were the Queen Mary trailers ever built as or converted to anything else? Internally this one looked to have a fairly professional conversion, and since it still lives in the corner of a ww2 bomber station, I suspect it's never had a civilian owner? Chris Some while ago a came across what, if I remember rightly, was an aviation forum where the QM you illustrate in your post was discussed. I seem to think it was said there were two such trailers at the same site and a few 'photos of the interior had been posted. If I can find the website again I'll post a link on here. In answer to your enquiry "were the QM trailers ever built or converted to anything else ?" here's a Mass Radiography unit built on the 3 ton version of Tasker Queen Mary. Front view. Rear View. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Lancaster "T for Tilly" being dismantled after crash landing in 1943. N/S (!) wing being loaded onto a Queen Mary. The entire aircraft being transported by a convoy of Queen Mary trailers drawn by a Bedford OXC in the foreground and Commer Q2's following. Being repaired at it's home aerodrome. Back in service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Two for Snapper. Tasker 7 ton drop frame photographic trailer. Tasker 8 ton photographic trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 (edited) Wow gents, excellent pics of the Queen Mary trailer! One of the most typical trailers, maybe even typical British, that "Baily bridge on wheels"! Here in Holland there's one on the show circuit, carrying a Harvard fuselage. Tractive unit is a long-nosed Commer (Q2?). Cheers, Hanno Edited November 11, 2008 by mcspool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 In all seriousness, 6x6, I imagine the trailer will have survived very well underneath that lot - the last couple I've seen have been a bit on the 'tender' side. Like this? http://airfields.fotopic.net/p49286333.html H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yep, that's the most recent one I've seen! Keeping a certain Cletrac company.... I wonder if anything will be done to it - I could do with the US bogie in front :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 (edited) I understand the official nomenclature was "Semi-Trailer, 5 Ton, Long Low Loading". So they came in two weight classes (3 and 5 ton)? It looks like the 3 ton version was a shortened 5 ton trailer? That´s what it looks like in the pictures. Were they built by any other manufacturers than Tasker? Thanks, Hanno Edited November 11, 2008 by mcspool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Tractive unit is a long-nosed Commer (Q2?).Cheers, Hanno The three tractor units most closely associated with the Tasker "Queen Mary" trailer during WW11 were these. See Catweasle's post No.21 on this thread for a photograph of this type of Bedford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted angus Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I understand the official nomenclature was "Semi-Trailer, 5 Ton, Long Low Loading". So they came in two weight classes (3 and 5 ton)? It looks like the 3 ton version was a shortened 5 ton trailer? That´s what it looks like in the pictures. Were they built by any other manufacturers than Tasker? Thanks, Hanno The 3 ton was the original, the 5 ton was slightly longer the main recognition point is behind the wheels . The X ray unit had quite a lot removed from behind the wheels. Only Tasker made them during WW2. I believe the current manufacturer is KING ?/ The Bedford and Commer were the original tractors, the Crossley plus a later model Crossley and a later bonneted Commer were introduced to cope with the 5 ton trailer. But it is apparent all tractors were used with both size trailers. This is a great thread thanks for everyone for sharing. regards TED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted angus Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I understand the official nomenclature was "Semi-Trailer, 5 Ton, Long Low Loading". So they came in two weight classes (3 and 5 ton)? It looks like the 3 ton version was a shortened 5 ton trailer? That´s what it looks like in the pictures. Were they built by any other manufacturers than Tasker? Thanks, Hanno Should have said the nomenclature was Semi -trailer low platform 3 or 5 ton 2 wheel. A semi trailer 5 ton long low loading is the type that normally has removeable rear bogies and is then lowered to the floor to facilitate loading etc. regards TED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Excuse me for reposting this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted angus Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Should have said the nomenclature was Semi -trailer low platform 3 or 5 ton 2 wheel. A semi trailer 5 ton long low loading is the type that normally has removeable rear bogies and is then lowered to the floor to facilitate loading etc. regards TED Hanno apologies you were correct semi trailer 3 or 5 ton long low loader is correct the nomenclature was revised post WW2 to become low platform Sorry TED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Post war Bedford 'S' type tractor with Spitfire on board. And with Hawker Hurricane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 (edited) Hanno apologies you were correct semi trailer 3 or 5 ton long low loader is correct the nomenclature was revised post WW2 to become low platform Sorry TED This refers to "supporting aircraft main planes in transit" and "well type body" so I think we can assume it is a description of the "Queen Mary" type. The length of this 3 ton trailer is given as 40' which is the same length as the 5 ton version. (?) I always understood the 3 tonner was a bit shorter. And it is, just remembered the 5 ton QM has a body length of 40' ....45' overall. (I think). PS. Lot of the stuff I'm currently posting is still 'Restricted' so don't go flashing it around down at your local Tescos. Edited November 11, 2008 by 6 X 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 What a wonderful exhibit this would make at any show complete with a class of long legged schoolgirls. (Obviously, they'd have to be over the age of consent) Tasker semi-trailer, 8 ton, drop frame, Tasker coupling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekawrecker Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 It is as you say a bridge launching trailer, which would have been used with a Scammell Crusader ( looks like one attached to trailer in your photo). It was used to carry and deploy a No.9 bridge which is of one piece and maximum span of 12.2 metres. It would be used directly over an existing low classifiction bridge. The other version of this bridge is the no.8 which is folding and was carried and deployed on a Cheiftain AVLB. Thanks for the info Richard, it is indeed attached to a Scammell Crusader. I hope someone posts a picture of the loaded outfit as it was seen in service. It must have been quite a sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I hope someone posts a picture of the loaded outfit as it was seen in service. It must have been quite a sight! Your wish is granted , picture attached. My old memory has just kicked in and I seem to think that the Crusaders assigned to these trailers had extra hydraulic controls and outputs fitted, as I recollect, for the trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runflat Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Were the Queen Mary trailers ever built as or converted to anything else? Internally this one looked to have a fairly professional conversion, and since it still lives in the corner of a ww2 bomber station, I suspect it's never had a civilian owner? Chris More on this one here: http://www.rafmtd.co.uk/restoration/restoration.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 If you look on Witham's direct sales website under trailers, you'll see the modern equivalent of the Queen Mary - nothing much has changed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 More on this one here: http://www.rafmtd.co.uk/restoration/restoration.html Yes, that's the one. I was there trying to salvage a hangar which had been blown down, with a view to using the bits to build a shed to keep our vehicles in. In the end the hangar fell apart, and what was left blew into another field, so it never worked out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
younggun Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 the hmvf club house car park if antars where as cheep as jeeps to run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 if antars where as cheep as jeeps to run and would fit in a lock up garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 X 6 Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Can anyone identify the type of aircraft being carried ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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