B series

Here is a photo of what I think is a armoured command vehicle based on a AEC Matador 4x4 chassis. I think this photo was taken during WW II, judging by it's position in a photo album and the surrounding photos. Note the crossed keys formation sign. Not sure about the F89216, it is not WW II format vehicle number, maybe it is not the vehicle number but some other code number. Let me know if these type of photos are not required.

This photo was in a British soldier's collection of WW II photos taken in North Africa and Middle East, But this one earlier and different, but interesting. Looks like an american car and registration plate, and is LHD, but the military man could be British, or maybe Canadian? Maybe he is the official driver for someone more important. Or maybe he is the British soldier's father. The picture was taken on the 1st April 1925, but I have no other information.

These photos have been taken or given to a British soldier who served WWII in North Africa, and maybe other locations. They have been stored in the attic for maybe 70 odd years. Some photo's have captions on the reverse side in nice fountain pen ink, so I have added below the photos. German tank burning Torra Pass No caption Near Fort Capuzzo, German cemetry. No caption

Thank you for your comments about the photos and the Unit plate. I did not know if the photos would be interesting to anyone, I will load some on soon onto the British vehicle section. Regarding the unit plate, I have had a closer look at it and can confirm it is a stamped out part with corner radii and the split pin hole (which I thought had been drill to hang on the wall), is also stamped out. So it has not been locally manufactured, maybe was supplied as part of the vehicle kit. But here is a strange thing, I could not see any number or letters under the red paint, and I don't want to start sanding it down because I like the fact that is original. But now I have loaded the photo onto HMVF, you can make out a P and two SS's half way down the plate. I am amazed at that, and I still cannot see them in real life! B series

Whilst we are discussing vehicle markings one of my relatives served in the British Army in WWII, and for a period in North Africa, but maybe other locations as well. He acquired the formation marking plate from the front of "his" truck as a war memento, and it has been in the loft for 75 odd years, with some photos. It has not been retouched or restored, it is as it was in WWII. It measures 8.5 x 9.5 inches. I did ask him about the truck it was attached to, but his memory was not that good at that time. I have included two photos from many he either took or was given to set the scene, and added the descriptions from the rear of the photos.. I would like to know if anyone knows which unit was 2719, because I have never come across it in my investigations. German Tanks Desert Canteen So 10 Corps, but Unit? I could upload some WWII vehicle photos from North Africa and Middle East, but not sure where they should go.. Regards, B Series

But what does it really mean if a book is for sale on Amazon at a really high price? Does anyone buy them? Does it mean that the book is worth that much? I want a copy of this book if anyone has one, but the Amazon price is just crazy and I don't think it means anything other than it will not sell. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airfield-Firefighting-Eastern-England-Eddie/dp/190660049X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=airfield+fire+fighting+in+east+of+england&qid=1593203526&s=books&sr=1-1

I agree the Almark book is of its time, but for some reason that makes it more attractive to me than a new book. However it is good that the information has been updated in 2nd edition. Nowdays it is the trend to get all info on the web, and I can see that it will reach more people, and can be updated with new info. But I still like a hardback book on my shelf. I am amazed at how much money some used books cost to buy, but on the other hand, a similar book and a similar subject and you cannot give it away. Strange.

Hello SquireBev, It seems you got luck and found a copy really fast. Copies of these might be useful: Armour camouflage and markings, No2 British North Africa by Kenneth M Jones published 1977 ISBN 085524 2792 I have not seen a copy of No1 or if there was a No3. and Military Vehicle Markings, Part 2, Tactical Signs & National ID Marks by Terrance Wise 1973. No ISBN number shown. I have never seen a copy of Part 1. Regards B Series

Hello Surveyor Not as far as I know.

Hello SquireBev I think this is a good book on the subject you are researching: British Military Markings 1939-1945 By Peter Hodges published 1971 ISBN 085524288. I have owned my copy since early 80's, but you might find one for sale somewhere. B Series

Hello Mike, Whilst not that knowledgeable about motorcycles, or the AFS, I have a few comments to add to your original question. If you search on a well know auction site you will see that I have currently listed auction catalogue's from Ruddington 1964 , Colchester 1970, Branston 1965, and will be listing Rotherwas 1965 soon. I try and list 2 or 3 a week. I am thinning out my collection, I have many catalogues to sell from many of the MOD / government sales sites such as Aston Down, Branston, Colchester, Shepshed, Ruddington, Rotherwas, Bicester, Kilmarnock, Blackbush, Peterbrough, etc etc. The sales catalogues seem very collectable, especially the earlier 1950/60 era. Generally the motorcycles are described in the catalogue's as Matchless 350cc, with the ERM, they do not mention G3 or any other details. I have a comprehensive sales catalogue collection built up over the last 40 years, and I attended many of the sales, and on balance I would say that your motorcycle would have been auctioned at one of the regional Surplus Stores sales / sites, but the motorcycle would have sold where lying, and been located at a Home Office Supply and Transport Store or sub unit. eg There were many Home Office / AFS vehicles such as Land Rovers, Fire Pump trailers, Bedford Fire Pumps (aka Green Goddess), and a few Matchless 350 with ERM's in WPX, WXR and XYM sold at the Colchester Surplus Stores sale in Aug 1970. I have maybe couple of hundred sales catalogues, but there are many hundreds I don't have. As Clive mentioned, unless you can narrow down the search to approx date or auction site, it is very time consuming to find a single vehicle in the catalogue's. Regards, Ken

Hello, The Champ uses a Switchboard No1 Mk1, well mine does, but the ignition switch on mine is broken, but I have a spare switchboard but the starter motor lever does not self return and I suspected a broken return spring. So for those who have not ventured inside a switchboard No1 Mk 1. I was correct, the end of the return spring Part LV6/MT4/CB/5870/53 had broken off, I attempted to find a replacement spring, but hard to find the correct inside diameter and the correct direction of tension. So I re bent the end of the existing spring, which has worked well, but with a slight increase in spring tension due to shorter spring, but it is OK. I am really surprised how easy all the fixing come apart given that the vehicle 60 odd years old, compared to the fixings on my 2008 Land Rover 110 Station Wagon.

Hello, Thank you Peakrec for your comments, black sticky deposits covers it, it is similar to tar. I like your suggestion of wire and access via the tank drain plug. At present I have used a piece of fuel pipe connected to the tank outlet which gives about 18 inches head above the tank, I have filled the pipe with petrol with the hope that over a few days it will soften the deposits in the tank pipe, so I can poke with wire or attack with a air pressure.

Hello, Does anyone know which vehicle / engine these NOS CAV bolts would be used on? They are ex British army with the following numbers LV6/MT12 2910-99-808-3042 and also CB/7111-314 FSC 2910 is Engine fuel system components - non aircraft. After 40 or more years in the military vehicle hobby, I am having a clear out of my 2600 sq ft workshop / storage area, it is amazing what I have collected over the years. I purchased Lots from Ruddington, Aston Down, Colchester, Branston, Shepshed and later ADT, BCA and Withams, Also back in the 1970, 80 & 90 ex army items were much easier to find, shops and little groups everywhere selling and not so expensive, so one ends up with a shed full! For the last few years but increasing in last 12 months of so, I have been listing many items on a well known auction site, currently have on there M38A1 and Champ hood frames, some of my auction catalogues from Ruddington, Branston, Colchester, BCA etc, and many other user handbooks manuals, CES and other ex army vehicle parts. I try and list a couple of new items each day. Kind regards, B series

Hello, Many thanks MatchFuzee for your assistance, I don,t know why I could not find that photo. The photo is not that clear, but it looks like the internal fuel pipe has an open end that would be near the tank bottom, and only one internal 90 degree bend. So I hope I will be able to clear my fuel pipe with compressed air and some wire from outside the tank. Otherwise I think the tank will have to be removed for a more in depth investigation. Many thanks B series

Hello all, I am sure I have seen on HMVF pictures of a opened up Austin Champ fuel tank that someone was restoring, but I cannot find them using the search feature, if anyone knows where they are located, please point me in the right direction. I have rebuilt the fuel pump, fitted NOS fuel pipe between pump and carb due to crack in original one, new fuel filter and seals, new tank filler seal, removed fuel pipes and blown through with airline, drained tank, but still not running due to two issues: a) Trying to find fittings to make a new pipe, due to pin hole, from the tank to 1st male/male connection. The parts book says thread is 0.6 Dia 19 TPI, which closely matches 3/8 BSP, but they are slightly small Dia than 3/8 BSP. It could be 5/8 UNF but then it would have to be 18 TPI. I think the parts book is incorrect, and the fittings are either 5/8 UNF 18 or maybe 1/4 BSP as the diameters are similar. Does anyone know thread type? b) The reason I would like to the see photos of the fuel tank internals is that the fuel pick up pipe in the tank on my vehicle is blocked with black tar like substance. If I can confirm that this pipe has just a simple open end in the tank, there is a possibility I can clear the pipe with compressed air and then clean out tank. That will not work if there is something on the tank end of the pick up pipe. Also I assuming there would be a 90 degree bend just inside the tank, would be nice to see internal pipe work. I was hoping not to have to remove fuel tank at this stage. Regards B series

I am sure I have seen that picture before, I think it was in an early Wheels & Tracks. Anyway nice bunch of Fordson WOT6, and a heavy load for a couple of Bedfords. Ken

Hello to all who have replied to my questions and sent me some useful information. This is the 1st time I have done a reply on HMVF, not sure if I am doing it correctly. Nice to know that even after a rebuild in March 63 at SOU 3, it has has retained the original engine, (Thanks Wally). The odometer still works and is showing 37,000 miles, so the engine might be OK when I can get it to fire up. Useful to know that the "cargo" generator can be used with the "FFW" electrical system, I guess either the army or Agricultral Vehicles(Oxford) Ltd fitted the "Cargo" generator in 1968 or prior. (Many thanks Clive). Thank for the disposal dates information, I have the Ruddington catalogue for 13 BF 93 Fitted a fuel pump rebuild kit today, but still not drawing fuel from tank, that's another job for tomorrow., together with fixing the radiator drain tap which is missing circlip, spring and washer etc. Best regards, B Series

Hello, So bit of background on my Champ which I have dry stored for 20 years and never driven. 13 BF93 was sold in 1968 via the OSDD Ruddington sales, purchased by Oxford Agricultral Vehicles, and then sold in early 1969 to a Norfolk farmer who used it on a large farm as a run around, who then sold it to me 20 years ago. It has never been road registered or restored. It is not rusty, all electrics seem to function, but engine is not running due to fuel pump problem which will be sorted this week. It was until last week still rolling on the original Dunlop Trakgrip T29A tyres it was released with ! I have just fitted some nice Goodyear NDCC tyres which look period. It is a FFW vehicle and is fitted with B40 Mk 5A engine serial 63115. I have the following questions: a) Does anyone know if this would this be the original engine? b) It current is fitted with generator No1 Mk2 FV141545 which is spec for cargo vehicle, but it has a generator panel No2 M2/1 (FFW), there are no spare leads or disconnected plugs on the vehicle and it all looks complete as it left the army, will this combination work the charging system? c) What are the diffrences between a B40 Mk 5A cargo engine, and a Mk 5A FFW engine other than the generator? d) To correct this mismatch of parts if required, do Champ experts think it would be better / easier to find a FFW generator, or change to a No 1 Mk 2 or 2/1 Cargo generator panel ? Regards B Series

Hello Pete, Iwould say it most likley to be a: Truck, 3 Ton, 4x4, GS, Line of Communication Vehicle (LCV), (Bedford QLR RHD) Regards,

Hello, 50RB22 was a Morris C8 FAT. And I agree with Noel7 that rebuild batches could be small.

I understand they are related to the JCB 410 wheeled, light, /material handler. This is deployed / towed behind a 8 ton truck (Bedford TM). A vehicle interconnecting lead with Nato 12 pin trailer connecters (both male) each end is used between the vehicles. These lighting units fit to the rear and are part of the JCB 410 CES. There does not appear to be a market for these, I have several.