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Did anyone there notice how much the 10 cwt Mortar trailer went for? Thanks

Anthony, I don't spray my trailers like this just for fun! But you do need a suitable tree to secure the pulley block to...

These are the kind of special spring washer I used to secure the floor board plates:

David, The small plates are fixed to the body rails. A small round headed machine screw, then the plate, then through the rail, then a special spring washer and then lock nut. The special spring washer puts tension onto the plate, but means you can easily pull it aside to release the wooden floor sections. The large hole in the plate is so you can get your finger into it to lift and pull. Not something I've photographed in detail, but here are a couple of pictures from one of my trailer restorations that hopefully gives you an idea of what I'm on about!

Anthony: for comparison, here is the Mk 2 hitch from my Water Bowser in "exploded form" so you can see how it fits together. They are easlily dismantled by driving out the steel wedge...and I'm assumong your hitch body has a similar design. Agree that your trailer spine hasn't been altered as the stengthening tubes look to have not been moved, or perhaps the unusual/replacement hitch body was just made to a standard bolt spacing pattern? Are you using high tensile bolts as replacements? If they are modern with 8.8 markings on the top of the head, I can easily remove that on the lathe for you.

Very interesting trailer Maurice. Thanks for posting.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]81993[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]81995[/ATTACH] In this lot a gave also a 6v battery box and a leather WD tool box, next step will be to make the generator running, butt I still need the right Ampere meter for the set. Guy Hi Guy, That battery box is the seldom seen larger version that was used on the Airborne REME Electrical Repair trailers. I looked for one for a year before tracking it down in UK. You can see where it was used at: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?27455-British-WWII-REME-Lightweight-Electrical-Repair-Trailer-Restoration-Project/page14 Post #131

Hi Maurice, That is an unusual 10 cwt based trailer. Can see it has the early hitch as used on the No1 Mk1 trailers. Does it have any fittings inside? A bench or table?

As Anthony has posted, the Mortar trailer is now ready for gritblasting. Chassis is in good condition and hopefully not need any welding. The handbrake mechanism is virtually identical in the hubs and linkages to the other 10 cwt trailers I've rebuilt. A couple of photos of the chassis and axle for reference: And for those know Mr. Lawrence, here he is "getting his hands dirty" (well one anyway):

Frame looks to be in good condition. John should be able to blast off the tar coating. Heat/Blowtorch on the handle pin will help release it... know anyone with a blowtorch? :rolleyes:

Yes. But its just 1:1 scale modelling really . Wonder how many tins of Humbrol needed to repaint a full size 10cwt GS?

Ok, but you can see why I prefer to stick to "lightweight" trailers....

Good photos Anthony. Are you going to have the boards planed all round and machined with T&G? Re coach bolts: imperial Whitworth ones seemed to have a larger diameter head....but unless you mix new and old, not sure who will notice from that side. However, the metric hex nuts will be a give away though. Dont want "trailer trash" to be literal!

Hi Ian, I've been told in the past that these T-plates with the pronounced "Rowntree's Pastilles" type lenses are actually earlier than the DESMO type we normally find on WWII trailers...but that is only an opinion. As the regs regarding T-plates only came into place in 1937, I suppose it is likely that more than the Birmingham firm made them. Nice find. Aren't you going to keep it for one of the bowser fleet?

A couple of period photos to add to the debate..... 1. Jeep and Mortar trailer, said to be in Holland. Shame there is not more of the trailer, but think the flat wings suggest it is the mortar variant: 2. A Demonstration photo of a Jeep, 10 cwt Lightweight "airborne" No.1 Mk. II .... and trailed Mortar:

Evening Ian, All I can add is that "D & P" is Dashwood and Partners, who also built my 10 cwt Electrical Repair Trailer.

A great restoration and good to meet you on Saturday. A couple of photos I took while you were queuing to go into the arena on Sunday.

I attended on the Sunday with a couple of Jeeps and trailers (guess which one....), and would like to thank the organisers for putting on a very promising first show. It was all planned for last year ... but was washed out. Very good facilities and show field. The car crushing was the most spectacular I've ever seen ..... and I've seen a few at W&P. Plan to support it again next year.

Much has been said on this subject on the forum. Please see: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?25210-IMPORTANT-SAFETY-ISSUE-Driving-vintage-Military-Vehicles-on-High-Speed-Roads I paticularly draw attention to my post #124 there: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?25210-IMPORTANT-SAFETY-ISSUE-Driving-vintage-Military-Vehicles-on-High-Speed-Roads/page13 A reminder: This forum is open for all to read.

Last weekend Tony Lawrence (of IMPS and this forum) held a BBQ evening for a few friends from the local Surrey "10Cwt trailer community". So we gathered together six WWII Lightweight examples and a 10 Cwt Mortar. Also included a post-war 6Kva Generator and a couple of Sankeys. Not that common to get 7 x WWII Trailers together....so here are a few photos for any other trailer aficionados..... And thanks Anthony, looking forward to next year

Having had time to read part of it, the book has explained one question I had about these smocks (probably well known to uniform experts). Last year a neighbour was clearing out her father's belongings and in the loft were some of his WWII uniform and effects. She passed on several items to me and I'd posted on here previously about some of the spent munitions, but she also gave me her father's mint Denison. As he was a Major in the Royal Signals I was surprised that he had an "Airborne" smock. It was made in 1944 by John Gordon, and while near mint the construction quality was fairly shoddy. Bruce Wilson explains in the book that John Gordon were the major supplier of the later wartime pattern, and seem to be well known for hastily made garments in the latter part of the war. The explanation being that there was a great demand in 1944 as the Commandos were to be issued with smocks and it was a case of numbers over quality in supply. Anyway that explains why my smock has a poorly sewn label and has loose thread ends etc .... but why did a Signals Major get issued with one when he wasn't airborne? This is the smock:

My copy arrived today. First impressions are excellent. 200+ pages of very good quality photos and much related info...it will become the standard work on the subject, and all written in collaboration with the Airborne Assault Museum. Highly recommended.

Meant to add these photos yesterday. Dismantled, cleaned and repainted the Murex control box. Has a length of cable so that the electrical output can be fine tuned by the welder as they progress the job: Again its good to see old fashioned "real engineering". Suspect the friable insulation was asbestos based, so cleaned with care and suitable RPE: All bolted back together and another part completed:

A few general shots today. More than 25,000 hits on this thread, so trust it is still of some interest. Remaining tasks: make an exhaust; make up a fuel pipe to connect petrol tank to copper fuel pipe; refit side lockers and roof; apply matt black camouflage; add stencilled numbers and markings; source and fit large Record vice; build a collapsible welding bench. Most of which will now not progress until later in the summer/autumn.