Great War truck

Thanks for clarifying that. What happened to the RAF Leyland that was bought by Hendon? Was any restoration work started on it?

Yes, you are quite right. The chassis was in a container in the garden and the beautiful radiator was in the downstairs hallway.  

On collection and on its way to temporary storage until we can make room for it. 

It has a fair turn of speed:

Forum member Tom Fryar has another which frequently makes long expeditions.   Here at Shuttleworth.

We think there are nine RFC survivors, the one at Hendon perhaps being the best know. My understanding is that after having been fully restored it has been designated never to run again, which is a bit of a shame, but that is museums for you.  

However, this was not a problem. While at the Beaulieu autojumble we spoke to a company who make replacement badges and as they had made one previously for a Crossley we commissioned them to make a replacement. Quite remarkably, (and relying on another heads up from a friend) two Crossley radiator badges were currently in an auction just seven miles from home. They were a little damaged (probably from being in a cardboard box with lots of other badges) but I had to buy them. I am not sure if the one without the name is a later or an earlier example. Someone will know.  Here are all three for a comparison. 

The radiator is a little battered but will certainly live to fight another day. It all provides a bit of personality to it. It was unfortunately missing the radiator badge.

The engine appeared to be in good condition, but was stuck. The absence of any damage to the valve caps suggest that it has never been apart and quite probably never run which is good news. It had the correct Smith and Sons carb on it as well.

As most of you will already know we have acquired another vehicle from the Great War. This is a Crossley Tender from 1916 which was built for the Royal Flying Corps. We were not planning on buying any more restoration projects but as our friend Adrian said – if you want a Crossley Tender this will be your only chance. Well we have always wanted one, but with only about nine survivors world wide they don’t come up for sale very often. This one came up at Brightwells (thanks for the tip off) and we had to have a good look at it and then placed a bid which after some last minute excitement was successful.

We don’t know much about it other than it was believed to have been purchased back by Crossley at the end of the war, then reconditioned for a private sale. What is there appears to be very original although missing some parts. It came out of a scrap yard in 1981 and has changed hands a couple of times since then. We do need to focus on the Peerless but once that is completed here is the next project. In the meantime we can start looking out for parts and gathering information.

On 2/26/2024 at 8:52 PM, Citroman said:

Would this be an ex WW1 truck?

 

Yes. I think that is a Benz. Maybe one taken in reparations

Thank you. That is very helpful.

Cheers

This is a spin off from a topic brought up on HMVF some years ago, but does anybody know of any surviving Leyland Hippo tractor units for Thor missiles?

More info on them here:

Thor – Imperial War Museum Images – The Breckland Society (brecsoc.org.uk)

Thanks

Well, that's not very kind. I had just had a very big Christmas roast lunch and anyway, those overalls are not very well fitting. 

Ah, that would explain where it came from. Is it the same gearbox on the CB as it is on the Y?

Thank you Richard. I thought that you would know.

This image has appeared on Facebook and the question has been asked what is from. I think Daimler B Type gearbox lid. Anybody recognise it?

I am thrilled with the latest arrival in the Tankograd Imperial German Army Weapons and Soldiers of the Great War 1914-1918 series – No. 1014 Artillerie Zugmaschinen (German Wheeled Artillery Tractors).

Published in English it has 215 photographs and 10 drawings within its 96 pages. Almost all of the photographs are previously unpublished and cover an incredibly unusual group of vehicles. While the Allies primarily relied either upon the well known Holt gun tractor or steam traction engines for moving heavy artillery, the Germans drew upon their knowledge of massive internal combustion engine agricultural vehicles and a small number of manufacturers who developed what must be some of the most impressive vehicles of the Great War. The book covers the manufacturers of Büssing, Dürkopp, Lanz, Podeus, Pöhl, Daimler, Benz, Standard-Motorpflug (Arator), Fürstlich Stolberg'sches Hüttenamt (Ilsenburg), Kaelble, Horch, Sendling, Hanomag, Stock and Ehrhardt, some of these names being perhaps better more familiar than others.

When our interest in Great War vehicles first started we were recommended to obtain Bart Vanderveens “Army Vehicles to 1940 Directory” (published in 1974) which at the time was the only source of photographs and information on trucks from World War One. Within it I was fascinated to see photographs of these immense artillery tractors and since then have sought photographs and information on these immense machines, but generally without much success. It seems that with the passage of time the available information and photographs held on these machines has diminished as the manufacturers disappear and archives are disposed of. The author has obtained a remarkable range of photographs and access to source information which has enabled him to produce what is the definitive work on this subject.

The cost of the book directly from Tankograd

Artillerie-Zugmaschinen<br>German Wheeled Artillery Tractors - TANKOGRAD Publishing - Verlag Jochen Vollert - Militärfahrzeug

is 25 Euros, but can be obtained from other specialist bookshops.  

The book has a softcover and is number 14 in the series of these German World War One books which cover a wide range of subjects. The next one is the series is on German vehicle mounted Anti-Aircraft guns and there will be more to follow in the series.   

Yes, i think you are right. Makes it quite cosy and the Leyland does not look like it is going anywhere for a while.

An amazing find Bob. Congratulations.

For videos, i normally upload them to you tube and then share the link.

OK. That is all good news. Does the engine turn ok? What is the situation with the wheels? You have two good fronts but wooden rears? What year are those? Not from a Crossley tender, but maybe an earlier Crossley? Do you have any other wheel hubs?

Thanks

Tim

Hi Simon

Thanks. I was watching it on Brightwells. 

What were the main challenges left with the Crossley that make you want to part with it?

Does it have the correct diff and is the steering box original?

What condition is the engine and gearbox in?

Any substantial missing parts that would be difficult to replace

Thanks

Tim

A great picture. Yes Ypres for sure.

Thanks. That is very interesting and adds to my understanding. The one i posted a picture of looks a little home made. is it right?

Thats great. Thanks. what knowledge this forum brings together.