Kevin Watkins

Just won this on Ebay, nice bit of Scammell history, eight pages, a nice article on desert tank recovery and some good pics, surprised I was the only bidder, are they very common?

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]38725[/ATTACH]

I wonder what happened to the trailer ! I seem to remember the whole outfit for sale in a magazine some time ago ! :-D

That trailer looks very similar to the Dyson 50 tonner which was made for the transportation of transformers in New Zealand in the early 1950s... towed then by Scammell Pioneers and Diamnod Ts.

Yes, correct. NZ Army has one in preservation, the other is in private ownership in NZ ( the one i sold) and no other Explorers in NZ.

I do like the pics... great...any idea where they can be sourced?

Cheers kevin

This one may even be yours Kevin

THis is the best photo I have seen of a Jahn in service, especially a Scammell in front. Thankyou very much... greatly appreciated....

In UK we mostly move the CONTENTS of a house by taking them out first. It does make life a lot easier you know. Though your way does save a lot of packing.

.. and we leave everything inside including the glasses. Often we will place a glass of water on the bench before we start a job, and at the conclusion of the move, it should still be there no water spilt.....

cheers kevin

Hi Kevin , thanks for sharing these pictures ! Looks like great fun !

Hi Andy,

Now that I have worked out how to attach pictures to this site, I will try and get a few more on. Yep, house moving was fun in the summer on flat sealed roads. In the winter it could be a nightmare.

Cheers Kevin

Kevin, i cant believe that old Retriever coming down the cutting is holding that lot back did you have a machine behind as the anchor if not you must have worn out the brake drums, amazing

Hi Les,

The retriever was not one of our vehicles. A mover in Wellington had a fleet of them and they pulled some huge buildings. AT that time, we had a Guy, which was similar sort of configuration.

I am sure a dozer would have been hanging off the back of that load due to the slippery conditions.

Cheers kevin

Very interesting articles Kevin, thanks. There have been several photos of the Watkins trucks over the last 15 years or so in our UK vintage magazines.

 

Has vehicle testing and legislation finally caught up with the old girls, or can you still be tempted to venture out on an unusual haulage job from time to time? :-)

 

Tony

Hi Tony,

Vehicle testing and legislation here in NZ is pretty tough. Its still fun to watch the VT chappies scratch their heads and suggest the front wheel brakes need adjusting up on the Pioneer. However, in saying that, if the vehicles are up to scratch they get COF ok. My Pioneer has not had a COF for maybe 4 or 5 years now, she just gets used around our property, however, she she be needed for an emergency, its just a matter of pushing the button and we would be on our way in 5 minutes.

... and here is a few more photos. Sorry they are not too clear... taken from newspapers a long time ago

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A couple more pics of the Jahn working in Hastings, New Zealand.[ATTACH=CONFIG]25232[/ATTACH] Also a pic of our Guy FABX 6x4 which was the prime mover of the Jahn before we bought our first Scammell Pioneer. The Guy was a fantastic vehicle for its engine capacity and weight.

on to our 20 toner Low Boy.... cheers kevin

A couple more pics of the Jahn working in Hastings, New Zealand. Also a pic of our Guy FABX 6x4 which was the prime mover of the Jahn before we bought our first Scammell Pioneer. The Guy was a fantastic vehicle for its engine capacity and weight.

ny photographs. I don't know its age but it had been with PSA for a while.

See post #! here

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?14296-What-is-the-story-on-the-Beltring-Cletrac-project&highlight=cletrac

Photo of our Jahn working

There is a Jahn trailer in preservation with Steve Guest in Chedworth. He has taken it to GDSF, and Kemble. With M2 High speed tractor on it. Anyone got any photographs. I don't know its age but it had been with PSA for a while.

See post #! here

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?14296-What-is-the-story-on-the-Beltring-Cletrac-project&highlight=cletrac

The transporter carrying the Cletrac has all the markings of a Jahn... the outer side frames are identical configuration to our 20 toner Low Boy.... cheers kevin

Have you seen this advert for one for sale in NZ?

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Trailers/Single-axle/auction-277347436.htm

 

Is that your type? It has the gooseneck you've described.

Well Johnny.... Ill be damed..... yes, this is the exact same transporter we have and it looks real original. I will try and contact the owner to get more details. Thanks a million. The trailer for sale is in the South island of new Zealand, I live in the North, but no problems..... will keep you informed.

Cheers and happy easter Kevin

Kevin

 

I tried to get some answers about an Jahn trailer before

 

However from your description I think the one you describe is an different type :confused:

 

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?17285-Need-some-information-with-trailer&p=191634#post191634

 

If this is the one you mean, I have some additional picture's of it

 

MichelK

Michelk, what is interesting is a close up look at the production plate of that Jahn trailer. I have not been able to find a "Jahn trailer CO," but that plate indicates the trailer was made by Pressed staeel Co Inc in the USA which made machinery for the US during WWII...... I will check the plate on our trailer which is badly worn... cheers kevin

Thankyou for your interest and reply.

Yes, this is quite a different transporter to our Jahn 20 tonner. The one shown here looks more like a 35 ton model. I have not seen this model before.

Is the Jahn factory still operating?..... or was it taken over by some other Company. There must be info sitting on a shelf somewhere....one hopes.

Our model has a very rounded gooseneck, probably about a 17 or 18 foot bed then the row of eight tyres.

Lets keep fingers crossed and I will try and get a picture posted somehow.

Cheers kevin

Hi Guys,

I hope some of you bright lads can give me a good steer. DUring the Second World War, the US Army used a platform 20 ton drawbar transporter made by JAHN. It was given a reference number G610.

This tank transporter may well have been towed by Diamond T, Federal or the like. The trailer had 8 tyres in a row across the back, and 4 tyres on the drawbar dolley.

I have spent contless hours trying to find a site which shows a photo of this transporter, or detailed drawings or service manual. I keep drawing a blank. Several of these transporters arrived in NZ at the end of the War and were used by the NZ Army... now they are long gone. I have one, modified, and would love to see the original drawings, photos or species. If any one can help me I would be real pleased. Thanks. Kevin

Yes, This is one of the New Zealand Explorers. Kevin

That Pioneer photo may well be one I supplied for the magazine. That Scammell was involved in moving transformers in its early days in NZ, and was a LWB ex Tank Transporter tractor. Was then sold to a house mover in Wellington, I have a few photos of it working, shifting houses and concrete beams in the late 1950s. Was owned by Guy Wagstaff. Was then sold to another house mover and modified in the body work. The last I heard about 20 years ago, the remains of it were seen under a tree on a farm in the South island of NZ, most parts having been stripped.

While shifting transformers, it towed a 50 ton twin gooseneck Crane transporter. At times also had a federal and a Diamond T to assist.

Hi Andy, Just interesting looking at the responses to the Nz Explorers. They did have the RR motors, and still uncetain if there ever was a fourth one. As for the other 200 odd, sorry boys, they are not here. In fact the Army archives make very little reference to them, and almost no photos. I have heard that by the mid 60s, the Army wanted the Amercian wrecker, and did everything they could to either "roll" or ensure the Explorers were not always operational.. "to help their cause" and get the American wrecker, which they did. Cant verify that but have heard similar stories from ex Army boys.