Jerrykins

I'm sure Adrian's correct about the reference/MoD spec. and proper name. B and K range engines and associated bits built at Crewe had it applied in a small spray booth in the Despatch dept opposite the main gates at Crewe, it was known within the works as Duck Egg Blue. Commercial engine variants were painted darkish grey (rather elegant) and in later years were painted another bright blue (rather like the ad colour at the RH top of the page). Jerry

Get them reworked by Past Parts they re-sleeve them with Stainless steel. I've not used them but they're highly regarded. http://www.pastparts.co.uk/popular_products.htm. Give 'em a buzz and discuss your reqts, they know their game. Regards Jerry

Slightly off the thread but possibly of interest. I was involved with a civilian RB44 fitted with an R-R commercial version of the then motor car engine. It was modified to incorporate a shielded ignition system, a deep sump arrangement developed on the old B range tilt test rig and fitted with a Solex 48NIPP (I think) carburettor common to the B81. It was supplied coupled to a commercial version of the GM400 gearbox. The prototype vehicle was fitted with weights to simulate a 200 gal water tank and a hamper containing typical fire fighting gear. If my memory serves me right the vehicle was fitted with disc brakes at the sharp end and it went rather well, likewise it handled and stopped equally well. In fact it was a joy to drive. It was demonstrated to a number of UK fire services (who preferred to buy the hideously long GM pick up 4x4 fire vehicle conversions, which struck me as monstrously useless devices but less costly and of dubious potential life). Ultimately only two RB44 were sold and were fitted with similar R-R engine and transmission, however the Solex carb was dropped in favour of the standard R-R motor car Petrol Injection set up, which resulted in mamouth improvement of economy, emissions, performance etc.. I have photos of both types and the tilt test rig in action, but I doubt I'll master loading them up onto the blog. Jerry

Merry Christmas to you Ray and all at the North Staffs MVT group, hope to meet up again with you next year. Jerry in deepest Suffolk.

I can confirm to all it was a grand day out, with a good turn out and variety of MV's plus interesting pre-ww2 vintage cars. Friendly and well organised, but most of all perfect weather. Jerry

The only possibility I've seen is on Jeep Est at 59 Euros, which is a bit excessive, anyone know of something cheaper or got one in the shed?? Jerry

I'm considering replacing the standard Hotchkiss shielded distributor/coil with the conventional Willys/Ford distributor set up, being that I'll need a 24v coil does anyone have experience and / or advise on a source of sensibly priced coil etc? Cheers. Jerry

Peter R-R Crewe made a G81 & G61 gas powered versions of the B range, they used an Imco carburetter and the LPG versions lasted better on LPG and the like than Natural gas. For endurance testing a deal was struck with a Teeside bus company and I've found an article about it on http://www.chiefofficers.net/888333888/cms/index.php/news/special_interest/active_planet/alternative_power/gas_powered_public_transport_how_it_began which may be helpful, I remember the bus visiting Crewe from time to time. The G range didn't sell brilliantly partly because the B range was by then an old lady and expensive to buy, but also most users drove them like diesels and never bothered to change down, when the petrol derived engine was screaming to spin a little more. As the article said they were silent compared to a diesel. The project and sales quietly faded away. Jerry

Dry weight B80 - 454kg (100lbs) per R-R Motors 1984 spec sheet B0065. Can PM you a scanned copy if reqd. Jerry

I'm hoping for some more pics to appear, as if by magic, after the dust has settled from War & Peace - please. Jerry

On Friday beautiful weather and a huge Norfolk skyline in perfect isolated countryside greeted us (once you found it some say). Meeting up with brave folk who had driven there Jimmy over from North Wales, others from Yorkshire, Biggin Hill and Felixstowe, lots of cracking vehicles and no breakdowns. Others included one small but very white tent, the cubes and lots of other good folk from far and wide. Sadly the weather wasn't with us on Saturday as we headed off down some good old Suffolk/Norfolk lanes. Our little friends were the motor cycle escorts, who were unstintingly brilliant at traffic control and very wet! The American vets seemed to appreciate the vehicle turn out judging by the popping cameras and videos running at Rattlesden and then back to Hardwick for a scrub up and spectacular convoy entrance in front of what must have been five hundred folk at the hangar dance. On the stage a band which could have given Glen Miller a run for his money, all surrounded by Maurice Hammonds Mustangs and other warbirds. It can't get much better than this - can it? The farmer who lets his land be used is an unsung star and a veteran of D-Day and like Clive and Maurice deserve nothing but praise for an amazingly successful weekend that raised good money for cancer charities. Jerrykins PS I hope someone took some pics??

Hi Clive An additional 1x large, 1x medium and 1x 34/36'' ladies!! please (these are in addition to my earlier request). Many thanks - Jerry

Two large for me please Clive. Just got to get the Jeep through its MoT on Tuesday after its Normandy run. I'm free to help up at Hardwick if & when needed - just let me know. Boris the Morris is ready to roll. All the best. Jerry

Happy Canada Day, Robin. Great country, great people. Jerry

Try Jeepest in France, not cheap! Look at, half way down page http://www.jeepest.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=80&Itemid=2 Jerry

Almost certainly found, well done North Staffs. Jerry

Any Leads?? Jerry

Just back from a super week in Normandy with Stan Bishop the author of "Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces - Volume I to 3". This was Stan's first attempt at camping at the tender age of 77 and we were in the cheek by jowl conditions at the St Mere Eglise town camp site. Sadly he lost his camera a red OLYMPUS FE-280, if anyone's found it, please let me know and I'll make sure it gets back to him. Cheers - Jerry

I use and can still get the original spec Bluecol, not the cheapest but good for old build spec engines. Jerry

Does the Bulldog engine have a multi-fuel cabability or is it a straight diesel? Jerry

I had a 1980 lhd series 3 109 stage 1 v8 and this had a large double joint at the transfer flange. It was a new vehicle built to Kuwaiti spec (where I lived at the time). It lasted the 20+ years I had the vehicle and gave no trouble (the prop shaft that is!). Jerry

I used Derek Spall to transport my MCC C4 from Chatham to Suffolk, good old Suffolk boys, on time, reliable, not expensive. They've got a fleet of trucks so could carry several Bedfords. Jerry Tel. No: 01473 737331 Address: D J Spall (recycling) Limited, The Garage, Dallinghoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 0LA,, IP13 0LA

Does the QL have phosphor-bronze components in the g/boxes, axles etc? If so I'd steer clear of Hypoy and use the older spec non-EP gear oil. Jerry

Richard is right as ever. R-R did make gas versions called the B61G & B81G as I recall they had an Imco Carburettor and a healthy appetite for exhaust valves. There were natural and propane gas engine versions, the latter were more successful/reliable. Sadly the project died when the govt increased the levy on the fuels when they started to sell and the cost advantages were marginalised. Added to which the B range was by then more than showing its age, and was more expensive than contemporary diesels to buy & run, so sadly that was the death nell of the B-range. Jerry

Well done Clive and Maurice, and what a splendid venue. If Maurice gets all his customers to fly in there'll be as many warbirds as vehicles! Look forward to it. Jerry