Charawacky

What is this? Did someone drop a naval Gun on it? or did the counter weight bucket at the rear spring a leak!

[h=2]AEC K 1919-1926 model 3[/h] http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?option=com_caradvert&view=ad&section_id=3&id=177839&Itemid=433

I had the chance to look over the Crossley at the Banfield sale and there are two defining factors which showed it to be generally a post war design, but may well have many wartime parts as these vehicles were built up immediately post war for general haulage. Steering fixed to engine up to 1918 and to chassis from 1918 Rear springing over the axle up to 1918 and under the axle from 1918 The exact dates are not known but it would be fair to say these changes were made for re-entry into the post war civilian market, additionally the military would not be pleased to see an unnecessary design change during the war. Below is the 1909 design at about 1912 with the springs over the axle as the wartime vehicles Below is the later 1918 design, you will notice I have reversed the drawing to ease comparison and you can see the chassis mounted steering box.

I now have been contacted by a member of the Crossley Register who's sister in law typed this letter in 1954! Hopefully the original owner may be identified soon! And it tentatively looks like a very well known Basingstoke personality. If confirmed, I will advise. Tom

Amazing things happen! A letter was received in the post today which confirms the above and predates the purchase by Jack by a decade! It would seem I will be the fourth owner in 100 years. But which garage was the original purchaser?

Questions RNAS? Aircraft? Year? Translation?

Not seen this image before, It is without doubt a Crossley 20/25 RFC Staff Car and looks like it is on single rear tyres, probably as a result of the economy drive after the war as often seen in Ireland. If you look behind the spare you will see a bracket which held the spare self-generating headlamp, earlier cars had this in front of the spare. Here are a couple of images for comparison

Moving on from the Banfield Sale I have come across these images: Auckland, NZ, 15.8.14 Does anyone know what happened to the 1914 Leyland? Tom

I thought I would put this up although not a military vehicle it shows the origins of the 20/25 Crossley Tender and Staff Car. In 1909 Crossley brought out the 20 Hp car which was preeminent in hill climb competition before the introduction of the new Vauxhall 30/98 in 1913. 1912 was a very successful year in motor sport for Crossley, the 20 hp held the Brooklands test hill, recording 24 mph at the top, along with Caerphilly and Aston hill climb records amongst many others. The 20 hp design was little changed throughout its life from 1909 through to 1926 and a variant of the bi-block engine was produced in serious numbers throughout WW2 for RAF lorries. Here is the sole existing 20 hp 1912 Crossley in the course of restoration.

WD Lamp http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?option=com_caradvert&view=ad&section_id=3&id=176583&Itemid=433 pity about the year - but seems a bit late for carbide

Amazing what turns up, it feels like one of everything survives, but this idea is probably far from the truth!

No idea about these perhaps someone can enlighten me? [TABLE=width: 100%] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 41%, bgcolor: #FFFFFF] X12. Wheels: a pair of heavy, robust steel disc wheels with solid rubber tyres. No idea what they are from but they appear to be the sort of thing seen on World War 1 lorries, etc., so, seem to belong to vintage commercial vehicle (?) Dimensions: 30" over wheel, 36" over tyres. Tyres are 4" wide across the top, 5 1/2" where attached to the steel. Plain bearing centre, 2 1/2" bore x 7" long. Heavy: about 1 cwt each at a guess. £40 the pair [/TD] [TD=width: 22%, bgcolor: #FFFFFF] [/TD] [TD=width: 15%, bgcolor: #FFFFFF][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 22%][/TD] [TD=width: 41%, bgcolor: #FFFFFF][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] http://www.therobeytrust.co.uk/for%20sale%20page.htm

Lucky to find a pair! Merry Christmas

Although none military, here is a lovely panoramic image of an early very unusual lorry recovering a Bleriot aircraft. This is Drexel's aircraft which was attending the Scottish International Aviation Meeting at Lanark on the 12th of August 1910 when after setting the world altitude record of 6,750 feet in his Bleroit monoplane fitted with a 7 cylinder 50 hp Gnome engine. He was forced to land at Cobbinshaw some distance from Lanark having run out of fuel. The recovery lorry is very interesting as the manufacturer went out of business in 1914 so they probbly did not supply the military. Any Suggestions? [ATTACH=CONFIG]99673[/ATTACH]

Merry Christmas, Can anyone identify the lead vehicle? I am thinking the rear vehicle is an AEC? I must rejoin the family now! Tom

I make no apologies for posting this none military vehicle, I just had to share it, any one with engineering at heart cannot fail to be amazed at the proportions. FIAT were a formidable force in the European motor industry up and during WW1. Duncan Pitaway starting his 28 litre 4 cylinder 130 mph FIAT for the first time on Friday. https://polklemmeblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/nice-sound-fiat-s-76/ I hope you enjoy it. Tom

Your identification is confirmed in this article http://www.historyjournal.co.uk/home/26-squadron-rfc

Bicester Heritage looks very interesting. I have already registered for the Jan 4th meeting, hopefully the weather will allow us to visit. http://bicesterheritage.co.uk/events/sunday-brunch-scramble-jan15/ Here is a nice image from the East Africa Campaign 1915 sent to me today.

Crossley Tender for sale http://tommyswar.co.uk/product/tw54e10-crossley-light-tender-2025/

This is an original British Leyland Lorry grease cup lid, it would date from the 1910-20 era. It is stamped 'Leyland' Part No. 12781. http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?option=com_caradvert&view=ad&section_id=3&id=172790&Itemid=433

Nice thing - does it run?

Ebay Axle identification: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291286064221?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D291286064221%26_rdc%3D1

Came across this: Tom

Similar car Mont Notre Dame, June 17, 1918. Fliegerabteilung (A) 260 Lb and Reihenbildzug No. 4 His Majesty Kaiser Wilhelm II at the driveway to the church and today

Visited Querrieu this September and took the opportunity to photograph: