g0ozs

Tony, Centurion Thinking about the NCRS the problem would not be just the static weight but also that a lot of the kit inside the box was high up, so it would pitch forward and push down the towbar when stopping .. not an issue with the normal Sankey or other low trailers of course ! Iain

Centurion The other observation to make about towing with Landrovers is that handling is affected by front heavy trailers even if they are well under 3.5 tonne. I used to have a Marconi NCRS trailer - a 1.8 tonne 4 wheel horsebox-like radio shelter - and even stripped of all equipment it was unpleasantly front heavy - because the bulk of the electronics was forward of the wheels and the mast stowage projected well forward of the body it must have been worse in use. It came with a dire warning plate mounted on the tow bar that the vehicle had to be ballasted to 2320KG (presumably with the ballast weight forward of the rear axle?) and several horror stories from people familiar with the trailers in service. Regards Iain

Mike Welcome aboard - hopefully I'll see you and the MW around somewhere next Summer (I usually try to get to anything with a military radio or military vehicle aspect in East Suffolk). I am another of the Left Hand Drive people I'm afraid - a Simca Marmon SUMB in my case. Regards Iain

Thanks Julian - I didn't realise it was a 432 - I think the turret confused me because I have only seen it previously on more recent vehicles ! Regards Iain

Dear All Anyone know what species of CVR(T) this is ? - it was awaiting recovery at Manningtree station roundabout this afternoon - I did speak to the driver briefly and he said he had called for another tracked MV to tow it home, but couldn't stay around to see - hopefully they got moved before it got dark. Iain

Hi It's the former RAF / USAF radio site at Foxhall Heath about 4 miles due east of Ipswich town centre. Nearest major road is A12(N) - take 1st exit at 1st roundabout heading North from the A14 junction. My vehicle is French and a bit old so I expect to just bring the radios (the original masts are still there ... ) Regards Iain

Dear All Thanks to the folks at SHAS and great weather the show at Ipswich yesterday was a good day out and it was also a pleasure to chat with the other MV owners present. A few pics of my SUMB and a number of the other vehicles present are at: http://www.g0ozs.org/marmon/SUMB_Photos_October_2011/subalbum_1.html Enjoy ! Iain

Hi Andy I can certainly source an operational Clansman radio station with all of the radios in service in 1982 - vehicle wise I have a French radio truck that was in use at the time but I don't think it would be appropriate to the subject of this event - a dismounted station might be more appropriate. I expect to be there on Sunday so we can have a chat then? Regards Iain 73 de G0OZS

Hi Mitch Is that the Kelvedon Hatch bunker ? Iain

Hi Mitch Please post a picture of the window winder repair/reinforcement here when you do it - I have been lucky so far but I guess a preventative mod would be a good idea! I should join the Suffolk MVT (I am north of the River Stour by 500 yards!) but have limited free time in the evenings and haven't got along to a meeting yet. I will be out at the SAHS military vehicle display just East of Ipswich on Sunday all going well if you get this far north, however .. See: http://www.comberenterprises.co.uk/apps/Contao/suffolk-aviation-heritage-group-news-item/items/autumn-vintage-vehicle-day-sun-16-oct.html Regards Iain

Hi Mitch I photographed my civillianised plug leads as promised - I will need to wait for more time and daylight to extract a plug and get the NGK part number that fits the engine I have always found RR Services very helpful by phone - a trip there is on my to do list for next year. If you need more wheels let me know - I have a complete spare set. Regards Iain

Hi Mitch I'm glad the plugs were all that needed doing. My SUMB came with civillian NGK plugs so the thread is at least standard - what someone has done is cut the shielded plug leads about 3 inches short of the plug and joined them to the ends of normal plug leads. I have looked carefully for sparking in the past and seen none so I don't think it contributes to the low power of my engine. I'll check the NGK part number and do a photo of the leads next time I have the bonnet open. I'd be interested to know the actual pressures you got for left and right banks so I have something to compare with mine when I get round to pressure testing ? Regards Iain

Aaron Clark Masts themselves have been quite helpful if you phone up and ask for the parts Dept. - their details are on http://www.clarkmasts.com. I think the manuals are available free in the archive of http://www.royalsignals.org - Chris S may wish to comment ? Regards Iain (who may have a parts donor mast if you need it .....)

Mitch All translations gratefully appreciated - I will send my real email by PM - I have had colleagues at work and ham radio friends in France translate odd pages as required but I didn't ever do French at school (I did German - should have bought a Unimog ) and I rely on the diagrams in MAT4155 mostly. Iain

Mitch, all The SUMB dashboard diagram and key is now available Enjoy! Iain

Mitch I calculated about 10mpg bringing mine home from Cambridge last year which is the longest run I've done (60 miles used about 1/2 of the 60l I put in at the first filling station I passed) so yours is definitely worse. The previous owner said it had fouled plugs but that turned out not to be the case on examination - I do hear a phut-phut noise from the breather pipe at lower right which is why I suspect a gasket or piston ring on mine Regards Iain

Hi Mitch The fan is furthest right in the top row of switches - hot cold is a manual push pull below and left of the air brake panel. I've had an occasional problem with an air dump valve that stayed open when knocked - manually exercising it a few time cleared that. Regarding Headlights I do get a class VII MOT done on mine - first time round they failed on pointing wrong way - early Range Rover headlights are a perfect left pointing replacement (and I have a couple of French ones stored somewhere if you prefer !!!). The sensors I am thinking of are in the manifolds - there is a pin sticking out which should have a female plug fitted over it - I find they are loose and need a squeeze to stay on. I had a problem with my fuel pump after leaving the system dry for longer than intended (long story - took mine to car wash as soon as I got it and ended up with fuel/water mix in the tank due to a failed solder joint between the filler tube and the tank proper - after drying out I guess the diaphragm perished and a new pump was called for). Every known V8 SUMB seems to lack urge going uphill - if you find the cause I and others will be grateful. Mine seems to have a mechanically sound distributor and a healthy carburettor and no sign of sparks around the leads - I am minded to suspect gaskets and plan on a compression test before long. The free manuals have moved slightly from where I remembered - now PDF and at: http://armytrucks.free.fr/cariboost_files/marmonTM.htm the drivers/first line service manual is MAT2719 http://armytrucks.free.fr/cariboost_files/tm/MAT2719 .pdf The dashboard is described on document pages 12 & 13 (scanned page 8) key to numbers in English Figure 2. 1. Dial light for air brake panel 2. Brake air pressure warning 3. Brake air pressure gauge - should read 8-10 in operation 4. Main Beam indicator light 5. Master light switch 6. Lighting selector 7. Start Button 8. Indicator confirmation light - vehicle 9. Fan on/off 10. Diff Lock Warning 11. Accessory power socket 12. Choke 13. Hand Throttle 14. Wiper on/off 15. Horn Button 16. Indicator confirmation light - trailer 17. Indicator switch 18. Panel light switch Figure 3. 1. Mechanical Hot/Cold control for fan 2. Oil pressure gauge 3. Oil pressure warning lamp 4. Main panel lamps 5. Water temperature gauge 6. Water temperature warning lamp 7. Speedometer and Odometer and Trip Meter 8. Fuel Gauge 9. Main panel Lamp 10. Ammeter I will draw up a diagram and post it here tomorrow There is a link to the workshop manual MAT4155 as well at the same site. Hope this helps Iain

Just noticed iPhone spell check changed a French word to an offensive English one in my last post - now edited to correct with spaces between letters - apologies!

Mitch The U in SUMB is UNIC they were made By Simca at the UNIC works using Marmon 4x4 transmission to the design of M. Boquet As far as I can understand from French sources the prototypes were 1958/59 and series production from 1962 to 1969/70 with the bulk being made from 1962 to 1966 - the full breakdown is in "charge u t i l e" magazine nos 108 through 110 which are easily found on e-Bay - I do suspect that many UK importers registered year of first manufacture having nothing to suggest actual date - mine has a serial just over 14000 which is hard to reconcile with a known production of 10k and a v5 saying 1959. ... At least one importer who used UK registrations starting KSJ also registered them at empty (dry) weight of 3460KG for delivery by road only - i think they were only expected to be used off road as crew/gun busses - so I always run mine without the spare wheel to stay under that - the makers plate gives 3600KG empty equipped and 5300 full load. Check your V5! Iain

Hi Mitch I have the drivers manual when at my desk PC - will sort something for you tomorrow with translations - if you google MAT 2719 and MAT 4155 there are individual JPEG scans of all the drivers and workshop manuals on a site something.free.fr as collections of ZIP files but for copyright reasons I should make my own drawing in order to post it here I think. Originally I think all the round switches had a symbol sticker on top but only the horn one has survived on mine. Two things to beware of 1) all lights including brake and indicators are off with the switch pointing straight up 2) the dip / main button on the floor is also active when the main light switch is in sidelights position when it goes between side and main beam Things to check based on mine and other experience are 1) fuel pump 2) brake light switch (on back end of air operated cylinder behind air tanks) 3) steering linkage nuts are secure 4) oil seal on input shaft to transfer box 5) leaks from brake cylinders inside drums 6) temperature meter sensor and pressure meter sensor connections to engine block are secure 7) air brake holds pressure at 8-9 on meter after a week and air can be heard when pedal pressed with engine off Regards Iain

Mitch RR services in Ashford http://www.rrservices.co.UK hold some new old stock parts in the UK - ass.service.national on e-Bay in France has SUMB bits and will ship to the UK (slowly and not cheaply though) Iain

Hi Mitch I haven't regretted buying my SUMB last year - I am slowly refitting it as a wireless truck (I know I should really use a 101FC to take a Clansman station into the field but the SUMB is 1/2 the cost, bigger and easier to work on!). Drop me a PM if you need any info - I have most of the manuals and some production history. Other good sources of info on these trucks are http://www.tm-ww2.com in France and a couple of French websites linked from mine http://www.g0ozs.org/marmon and the YouTube postings of "monsieurp4" Congratulations on your purchase! Iain

Hi I have the same problem - we really need a "French vehicles" topic! Happy to help if I can - I have most of the manuals and have had to fix a fair amount since I got my SUMB in Jan 2010. Regards Iain

Hi I'd be happy to buy a 2nd set of the seals for the air and wheel cylinders for stock - please PM me so we can arrange payment and delivery Regards Iain

Hi It sounds like I should get a seal in anticipation of future failure if you find a source - I can also inquire in France (a ham radio friend there holds a stock of parts from when he used one). I have similar engine issues - it splutters when picking up speed after changing from 3rd to 4th or going up hill so i dont think I'm getting 110hp - the oil breather pipe blows a bit so I suspect a gasket is failing on 1 or 2 cylinders - I have got a spare set of gaskets but it isn't yet bad enough to want to dismantle without access to a covered workshop unless desperate. I will likely do a compression test to prove it first and wait on a good forecast next summer ... The gaskets came from ass.service.national on e-Bay in France who ships some items to UK. Regards Iain