P Bellamy

The manual for the immediate post-WWII version of PSP, M6 Matting, indicates that it was supplied in bundles each containing six sub-bundles of four standard 10' panels and two half-length panels. The later M8 version came in bundles of thirteen 10' panels and two half-length panels. Both these types differed from the original version in that they had end as well as side connectors. I'll see if I can find an earlier version of the manual.

Have just confirmed the RAF had at least eight of these on hand for Thor operations, plus the loan of more from USAFE as and when required.

34E = POL Sampling and Testing Equipment (RAF Stores Code)

Queen Mary trailer in use as a bridge near Alconbury:

(Copyright 2002-2012 John Allison)

S245 = Oxo Ltd., Oxo Factory, Waterden Road, London E15 Suppliers of triggers, pins, springs, bayonet caps and magazine components for Stens.

The basic optics unit may be one used in a range of instruments with minor alterations, it's simply a case of spotting the right ones from this lot: https://dlib.york.ac.uk/yodl/app/collection/detail?id=york%3A796232&ref=detail Checking your first photo again, the screw holes for supporting a spirit level can be seen, confirming that it was intended to be used in a mainly horizontal position. It was intended to be able to used in low-light conditions, having a hole to illuminate the graticule and a white line at the objective end for quick alignment. Sadly it doesn't exactly match anything in the 1907 T. Cooke & Sons catalogue, but much of their military optics range is omitted anyway.

At first glance it appears to be the optics from a surveyor's level, but I'm still trying to match it exactly. I can't quite make it out properly, but if it says T. Cooke & Sons on the side then it was made pre-1922.

Excellent stuff, although the second image shows an American Quonest hut being craned, you can't do that with a Nissen. All the best, PB

Can anyone identify this 1950s-60s US Army and USAF trailer please? The same basic body was used for a number of different purposes, all requiring different placement of access hatches on the sides, but the main door on the end seems to be the same in all cases. All the best, PB

Here's the same 44BG Control/Follow Me jeep at the entrance to the control tower at RAF Shipdham: A later photo giving a different view of the platform. Note a light fitting has been added to each end of the top rail by this time: All the best, PB

Flash message from the organising committee: Guess I'd better start unpacking the trailer this evening... PB

RAF stores code 22E/ is visible, indicating it is an item listed under "Clothing; Tropical Dress". All the best, PB

Apologies John, The trailer is in a museum in the next county and I haven't had a chance to get over to check it. Your frame looks good to me. As you can tell, her owner Neil is now on here too so, between the pair of you, you should get most things sorted out. All the best, PB

We have the frame on our machinery trailer, I believe the hoops are original but the strips are replacements. I'll have to check and report back. PB

You're welcome. PB

The W simply denotes a War Department vehicle. This prefix to the registration number was a pre-war specification, and was omitted from January 1942 onwards. All the best, Paul

It's very much mix-and-match from the 8AF vehicles I've seen, those that haven't been censored out that is. In the main vehicles assigned to the combat units at Group and Squadron level follow the book numbers-wise but with variations on lettering formats. On-base support units can be either fully "by the book" or completely made up as they saw fit. SOS and ASC transport and supply units that would be mainly out on the road were usually as laid out in the relevant bumf though. Blackout markings also come in a variety of flavours as you'd already mentioned. My particular favourite is the white-painted hub covers on this jeep based at Sharnbrook ordnance depot.

Now THAT's a bizzare set of markings on many levels...

91st Bomb Group, 324th Bomb Squadron: 8 ★ 91BG 324SQ ...and the rears Left 8 ★ 91BG Right 324SQ 8AF airfield-based vehicles don't often seem to have had individual numbers most of the time for some reason. However, a radio-equipped jeep assigned to the 323rd Bomb Squadron at Bassingbourne had the following bumper marking: 8 ★ - 91BG - 323 - 16 For more Bassingbourn-based 8AF units: 8 ★ 1 SCS (1st Station Compliment Squadron, responsible for operating the airfield itself) 8 ★ 39 SV 364 SQ (39th Service Group, 364th Service Squadron) 8 ★ 441 SD (441st Sub-Depot, formerly the 39th Service Group and it's squadrons) 8 ★ ASC 441SD (a valid variant of the above, showing the 441st correctly as a unit of the VIII Air Service Command) 8 ★ 1204Q (1204th Quartermaster Company) 8 ★ 1696-O (1696th Ordnance Supply & Maintenance Company) All the best, PB

Colt New Service in .455 were issued too I think.

Does anyone have any info on the USAF F-6 fuel servicing semitrailer? Even a photo or two would be of use. A small number of these may have been loaned to the RAF for use by the Thor missile squadrons in the early 1960s. All the best, PB

The US and British airborne divisions deployed on Market Garden were assigned two AN/VRC-1 Jeeps each, the TM for this rig can be found here: http://www.vmarsmanuals.co.uk/archive/458_VRC-1_Manual.pdf All the best, PB

I can think of a number of uses for this version during the show season... PB

M31 Armoured Recovery Vehicle?