early british ww2

3 hours ago, Jean.B said:

 

When was this photo taken ? Is it the same truck ? I remember it being parked up on the farm for many years before moving to the garage where it is now and have never seen it that complete If it is the same truck it makes it even more of a shame when you look at it now Would still give it stable room even now tbh 

32 minutes ago, Richard Farrant said:

That one on the back of a Bedford fire engine belonged to John Rowell of Peterborough. Not seen it for many years.

I know of a restored Guy 4x4 FAT in Australia, and a friend had an unrestored one a few years ago

Was that the same fella John Rowell who owned the only original Humber ambulance too Richard ? 
Also know of the one you speak of in Australia I think there was one or two Guy Snts our there at one point 

Speaking of Ants has anyone seen the tin top Ant lately that originally was a wireless but restored as a GS ? 

2 minutes ago, Rootes75 said:

That would make sense. Its strange that in the Commer books that I have there is no mention at all of the Beetle when talking about war production.

There’s hardly any material relating to them Even in the archives and IWM Believe me I’ve looked It just seems strange that they put a lot of effort into winning the 1935 trials and all for what ? So Britain’s could make more beetles than Commer did !?

I’m pretty sure when I first saw this it still had the rear body on it but no seats It was just a std wooden body 

over the years I’ve seen a few Quads in various guises and I’ve a few mates that have had them or still have them including an FAT

does anyone remember the Quad Ant FAT that used to go to the shows on the back of a converted fire engine ? 
there’s the tow truck in Cumbria that used to belong to a friend and there was a quad ant in the grange Caberns museum and con baton combat collection 

7 hours ago, Rootes75 said:

Any idea why Commer withdrew? Was it a War Office decision or Commer's decision?

As far as I could find out it was Commer that withdrew as it wanted to concentrate on the armoured cars elsewhere in the rooted group and believe Guy helped this by giving over designs from its own armoured car with welded hull The trucks it was making for the raf were more or less civvi models anyway so easy to produce 

2 hours ago, Radek said:

Commer beetle

Both of these vehicles are Commer Beetle lorries The too is the prototype and the bottom possibly one of the 401 ordered by the army when the Commer won the title of approved 15 cwt army lorry which due to Commer withdrawing the beetle from production I think Britain’s made more beetle lorries than Commer did !! Just one so far survives ...

1 hour ago, Radek said:

found pictures from this trials

Guy Ant

Commer

 

The Top pic is the Guy Ant prototype submitted for the trials Never seen pics of any of these in service  and the bottom pic is the Commer Beetle after field mods to fit a bigger radiator and nose  Later dropped for other trials and production vehicles and often confused with the Bedford MW

1 hour ago, Radek said:

Guy Ant

Hi Radek , This is the post trials production model of the Guy Ant 4x2 G.S truck I believe that only one survivor of this very early Guy from 1936/7 survives The reason being this truck had all the early bits incl Square fuel tanks and trays , later ones were round , it has the early axles and pre war Circlip type wheels and the bodywork had all manner of fluting in the panels to strengthen it which was later dropped 

14 minutes ago, chrisgrove said:

I feel I should point out that this (both pics) would appear to be a Quad Ant - the four wheel drive version, which, I would guess, is even rarer than the ordinary 4x2 Ant.  With an H registration it was probably the 6 pounder gun tractor version originally, possibly even the FAT version.

Chris

It is definitely a Guy Ant Quad or Quad Ant as you say They are not rarer however than the 4x2 Guy Ants which everybody hated both in service and out of service as they were painfully slow quite under powered and uncomfortable to drive and I believe more Quad Anys survives due to being 4x4 as they had the same meadows marine engine and were also very slow but they were of a wider track Had bigger wheels and could go anywhere almost So a lot found there way into garage breakdown trucks especially in areas where winter roads were a problem Also many were used on farms 

this one is a G.S version which may have towed a six pounder Haven’t had chance to revisit my production cards from Guy Motors to see if was one of the FATs Guy converted to 6 per anti tank gun tractors As far as I can remember all Quad Ants wore H census numbers 

This really needs saving so it can at least be a source of spares to save others or maybe still be restored in its own rights and we’d certainly be interested but as I’ve already said tried to buy it several times over many years but could never get a response or price from any owner which is a real shame ...

18 hours ago, Rootes75 said:

I know its rough and as you say not for the feint hearted but what a project that could be.

Quite seriously, would they be open to someone saving her?

Kevin.

Hi Kevin Ive known this truck for a very long time and have visited it over many years and each time tried to buy it but could never even get a price 

it was originally in John Shepard’s scrap yard near ripon then along with a Karrier k6 with steel body and k9 radio truck moved to a farm I think the Karrier at one point had been used to pick up stone for the building work I think the chap who owned this place worked at Shepard’s at one point I know the guy was protected by a load of timber back then but the Karrier suffered badly and the stone it once carried fell through the floor of the body  Don’t know what happened to that or the k9 but the Guy moved as something went on at the farm to a local garage that did transits 

I’d still like to save this along with my other Ants but have tried and nothing 

Great Job Jeremy , The trucks looking great ! Well done !

Looking at your Jack extension block - Do you know anyone who has a spare as I need one and also a cranking handle and Petrol Dip Stick for an Early MWD?

Cheers Glynn

Any people know more on this car? i will make other photo i dont find many thinks on this car 4X4 GS mine is very complet

and before begining restauration i would like it will be.

Hi , Very Nice Guy Quad Ant and very complete and original by the looks of it - There are generally two positions for the Speedometer on the Guy Ant Trucks - One is on the main central flat panel where other gauges exist or another is to the left of the steering wheel in a small box as per Tobins picture - Didn't understand totally why they did this as you can barely see it whilst driving really ?

I love the truck as it doesn't look as if anyone has messed with it since the war which is a rare find these days !!

Restore or preserve The truck is great !!

Rgds Glynn

What a cracking video, thanks for posting

Cracking footage of a rare truck indeed as there's not much info out there about them to be fair so it's always good when new pics or footage emerge esp when there is only one truck left out of the 401 made by commer over 70 years ago !

Out of interest why does every restoration of a Morris shown on here end up being painted gloss green and not even G3 Green?

 

Has no one has ever owned an MV that was originally built in SCC.2 Brown?

 

Mike Starmer's books suggest SCC.2 was around from 1941 to at least 1944 which covers a great amount of wartime production.

Hi Mate Just to put your mind at rest my 1940 Cs8 A/T is painted Service Brown and I have a very original 1939 Morris CS8 GS which is still in its original service brown too So not all CS8's are shiny green Hope this helps

Hi does anyone know or can anyone point me in the right direction to finding at least one Lucas Type L206 sidelight unit complete but preferably a pair they are of all brass construction with a frosted glass lens approx. 3" o.d and 21/2" deep - They are smaller than the later rc330 types used on Morris Commercials etc . I am also looking for parts for Lucas Model 135 headlights = Any help would be much appreciated Thanks Rgds Glynn

Hi Ian , I don't think I have a spare drum at the moment - I know I did have some spare bits for the trolley but will have a look around - They do come up every so often so I will keep you informed cheers Glynn

I don't know much about these things. Can anybody enlighten me please?

Thanks

Tim

 

Hi Tim , These were produced in quite large numbers during the war I believe - I have restored a couple of these for folk in the past and have so far seen three different versions . Two of which are literally only different in the design of the lifting handles - One set are solid flat bar in construction while the other set are of a wire construction . The third variant is a very early version which had solid metal spoke wheels with no tyres on them . All look as if they may have been based around Austin 7 hubs and wheels (Although as yet I have never tried the wheels on my Austin , so don't hold me to that!). They all take the standard large Cable Drum , complete with the cotton braided D10 cable and are supposed to have been used for laying lines of communication out between positions etc . One set of handles fold to allow a more stable position when winding in or reeling out and each barrow was equipped with its' own box key in a holder and was supposed to carry a spare spindle shaft . I have the early steel wheeled version and one rubber tyred version in my collection - I am not sure of dates of production but seem to think the steel sheeled version is dated 1940 . I will try and think on the get a pic of that one and post it up. Hope this helps - Rgds Glynn

Who know life this Guy Ant?

 

thanks

 

Tom Higgins

Hi Tom , Yes instantly recognise the picture as being from the now sadly defunct Grange Caverns Museum in Holywell , North Wales - A place of significant interest as it is where they stored the Bouncing bombs prior to the Dambusters raid on the Dams in Germany . The truck is the 15cwt Guy Quad Ant 4x4 G.S. Truck and I am glad to say it was saved following the closure of the museum and subsequent disposal Sale and didn't go too far finding a new home in the Llandudno area . Unfortunately the years of storage in the dank wet conditions of the caverns hadn't been kind and I believe the truck broke its' back but there was talk of the chap coming across some chassis parts from Pete Gaine. I haven't spoke to the chap who owned it for sometime now but hope it is still safe etc and may one day see it in its' former glory back in one piece ! Cheers Glynn

Hi Rob ,

Love the pictures ! - I have the Appropriate Bedford , can make the ramps but just missing the gun !! , Lol

Is this another project or a new addition ?

Rgds Glynn

cleaned several blocks , early ones seem to be a green color for the cast main bit , and all covers are gloss black , some late war engines I cleaned look to be overall black , the color you mention is the color engines received after a rebuild , Lots of pictures from the Bedfords in Dunkirk after the retreat, which have the their bonnets off don`t show a light shade for rebuilt color

Hi ,

I can concur with the above as I bought some engines for spares - Most of these were black and the only one in the greeny duck egg type colour had a post war rebuild plate on the block , so presumed that is why it was painted in this colour the same as series landrovers and ferrets etc .

The engine in my early MW is body coloured , but presume it should be black

Hope this helps , cheers Glynn

Hi Mate , Great photo's of the Morris Commercials - I have not seen these before - Are copies of the original photo's obtainable ?

Does anyone have any further info on the Lewis Gun mounts in the rear of the trucks?? I would love to have copies of any diagrams or pictures anyone has which would allow me to make an accurate replica ?? any info would be gratefully welcomed , cheers

Glynn

Cheers glyn,I had been looking at images on the web and was confused as they seem to be black and green also, i was aware the ww1 period vickers boxes were service brown colour but not sure on other types.I am currently looking thro the loft to see if i can oblige with the lewis carry handle, will PM you IF i strike lucky (memory may be a little senile on this one)Regards TimPS Whats your intrest in lewis guns anyway, apart from the obvious web name?

Hi Tim ,

I believe they are this seasons "must have" accessory !!:cheesy:

I have a very nice 1914 Bsa one which looks the part in the early trucks so to speak as most of these were re-issued in the run up and at the start of ww2 - Hows the hunting going for the carry handle ? Any luck ? cheers Glynn

I have seen some on the market with round, turn switch type triggers, but not the pull down lanyard type ones.

 

What mark, model or type are these?

 

Cheers.

Hi Mate ,

I believe that the 2" mortars with the turn knobs are also a bit different in the tube and are more "bellied" and these types are generally the earlier ones . Later ones went onto the more common lever type triggers that often had a lanyard with them (these also come in at least two types and can differ in tube length as they did a standard one and a version for Airborne forces which had a shorter barrel length . Mk8* i think) May I ask where you have seen these early mortars for sale and how much they were asking ?? If you ever come across a stokes 3" British ww2 mortar please let me know as I may be interested Thanks .

Hope this helps , Cheers Glynn

Hi Tim ,

All the ones I have ever seen are painted at least externally in service brown with a metal catch in the middle , leather strap type handle and white stencilled lettering underneath the handle to tell you what it is .

On the subject of Lewis Guns - Do you know where I can get a transport box and a Gun carry handle from ?? - I would also be interested in getting hold of one of the convertor blocks to allow the Lewis Gun to be mounted to the Vickers tripod but know these are rare ! .

Hope you are keeping well mate ... speak soon rgds Glynn

Hi Glyn,Have to confess i have been looking for ages for one for the PU. I have managed to find some bits as spares but no distributor body yet. The DUH6A was also used on a jaguar model so the bloody things have probably got some sort of horrible premium on them.Regards TimPS, ARE YOU GOING TO SELL ME THE 15CWT WITH NO DIZZY :-)

Hi Tim ,

I will deliver it to you in a carrier bag at W&P Ha ha ! On a more serious note If you let me have your engine for my cs8 then I could always bring you a Morris Minor engine in exchange !! converted for unleaded of course and painted Morris Engine Green ready to fit ! lol

You are right in thinking they are not easy to get hold of and do cost a small fortune when you find one - probably because of the Jaguar connection !?

Cheers See you soon , Glynn