Nikos

Hi guys, just wanted to let you know that I have started an album for VW's in Army/RAF service. It isn't an interest of mine, but as I hunt for postwar British jeep photos I often come across images of them, and they seem quite a rarity, thought it was worth getting an album together.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishjeep/albums/with/72157683963117615

Mine were sadly missing, but I know many people with them who I am sure would be willing to help you. Have you got a Brit re-build jeep? We keep a register of them as well as group dedicated to the research of British service jeeps, see my signature.

Nick

In 1949 the census number system was replaced by the ERM system, (ie. from M1502620 to 48YJ27, which is my jeep). Recently I discovered that it was recorded exactly how these numbers were allocated, in blocks, to theatres of operation. Now I have the complete list for the YJ series, but I am looking for the YH series, and also similar info for other vehicles in postwar service. Clearly this gives a nice bit of info on a specific vehicle in postwar service. Any ideas where I can access this information? Here is an example from the YJ allocations-

72 YJ 22 to 72 YJ 70 FarELF

72 YJ 71 to 73 YJ 79 Malta/BETFOR

73 YJ 80 to 75 YJ 57 UK

A BIG thanks to you Nick.

After reading about the digitised key cards I looked up my Humber 4x4 79ZB53, paid the money (ouch in Aust dollars!) and there it was to see after a few minutes. I now know the original WD number.

My Humber was struck off in Nov 1956 and apparently migrated with it's owner to Western Australia not long after.

The card even shows a Humber living in New Zealand as yet unrestored.

Like Pete Ashby I had previously sent payment to be told that the record could not be found. (25 pound fee I think!)

 

I would never have given this another thought.

thanks again.

Andrew B.

No problem. Glad you finally got your records!

Ah great, much appreciated!

Fabulous! Thank you very much Nick. I have a reasonable collection of vehicles and especially motorcycles. My theme is and has always been 'British Forces WW2' and I'd hate for a Yanky vehicle to have crept in. Even my Indian motocycle is ex British forces.

I'll PM you as soon as I get a result from that link you posted.

 

Regards Ron

Great news, and I know just how you feel. I have always tried to buy British service wherever possible. Everything I have was British service except perhaps the Dodge, have to wait and see if I can get records for it.

Interesting! I've owned my own Jeep for over 30 years and it came to me as an ex British Jeep (Butler lamps etc). But I've never checked it out. It is chassis number 159838 and I've kept the same bonnet census number that it came with 5474235. It has a Ford tub fitted, but no post war army rebuild plate.

 

My Tilly however still has it's rebuild plate which states it's post war number was 00 RA 25.

 

Regards Ron

Ron, yep yours is a British service jeep. Your 1949 ERM registration was 29YJ13,

You can use this number to get your keycard from the RLC at the link below. It costs £35 and will give you instant access. If you get the keycard, I would very much appreciate you sharing it with us, thanks.

Nick

http://www.rlcarchive.org/VehicleSrch

Firstly thanks to the guys at the RLC Museum at Deepcut for finding the record card relating to my 44 GPW, I had to wait 5 months but its worth it.

 

Question is what should the bonnet number be as I had worked it out from various books that a March 44 GPW would be 555???? but the record card says 'converted from 1500669' is this its correct bonnet number ?

 

Thanks Ian

Hi Ian,

I tried to PM you with this but there is an error as it says your inbox is full, so will post here instead -

I spotted this topic about your jeep and its YH and M15 numbers. I run a Facebook group that logs and researches the jeep in British service, especially M15 rebuilds and the postwar use when the vehicles changed to ERM numbers.

We do this completely not for profit as vehicle enthusiasts. I see that you have your keycard, would you be willing to share it? Our group is 'WW2 Jeeps rebuilt by the British army' if you would like to join us. We are even starting to find some members vehicles in period photos now. My public flickr page is below where I log all keycards and photos that we find. Your input would be very much appreciated.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139397156@N06/

Nick

Interesting! I've owned my own Jeep for over 30 years and it came to me as an ex British Jeep (Butler lamps etc). But I've never checked it out. It is chassis number 159838 and I've kept the same bonnet census number that it came with 5474235. It has a Ford tub fitted, but no post war army rebuild plate.

 

My Tilly however still has it's rebuild plate which states it's post war number was 00 RA 25.

 

Regards Ron

Nice jeep! I am checking your chassis numbers and will let you know if I can find the ERM.

NICK

00 YH OO to 05 YH 25 were not used 05 YH 28 to 09 YH 20 were HUMBER's heavy uty 4x4 09 YH 21 to 99 YH 99

JEEPS for RON 00 RA 31 to 10 RA 50 AUSTIN TILLY's 10 RA 51 to 20 RA 38 HILLMAN TILLY's

 

REGARDS WALLY

That is really useful info, thanks a lot for sharing!

Thanks for that! Any ideas on what else was on the YH registrations in the 00YH - 09YH range? We know they aren't jeeps and the Humber card is one example.

Hi chaps, a group of us are working towards piecing together the history of the Jeep in British postwar service. But we could really do with input from other light vehicles in British service to complete the picture.

In 1949 when the new vehicle identity system (ERM) came into place, Jeeps, and other light vehicles were given registrations in the YH and YJ range. They would look like 06YH78 or 48YJ27 for example. This included vehicles such as the Humber heavy utility, and likely Tillys, staff cars etc. I have attached a Humber Keycard below to give you an idea of what we are after.

Can anyone who has a keycard with a vehicle in that range please share their keycard. We are a group of enthusiasts who do this not for profit. If you don't have the keycard for your vehicle, we can point you to how to get it. We have a facebook group 'WW2 Jeeps rebuilt by the British Army', and below is my personal flickr page where I log all keycards and images of the Jeep in postwar British service.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139397156@N06/albums

Interesting to see that 16YH31 was one of the seven jeeps converted by the paras in Cyprus to carry a 106mm recoiless rifle at Suez

 

See

from 2.21

Yep it is. Thanks for the link of this video. It has another Jeep which I didn't have images of. 48YJ48 that is in that video. If you know of any images or videos of the other recoilless rifle jeeps from Suez I would love to see them!

Nick, have you looked at this: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?24502-Jeep-24-YH-46

Yep, and the OP is now on our group on Facebook, thanks!

Thanks a lot for the info chaps. I'll certainly add that image and info to the page.

Best I can do is this photo of my Dad & a rather sorry-looking unidentified Jeep taken sometime between 1947 & 1950, most likely in Egypt (although it could also be somewhere either in Palestine or Trans-Jordan).

 

Yes please Kevin. Even if the vehicle cannot be identified it is still a useful addition. Any more information that you can provide to go with the photo would be great, particular his unit information.

Nick are you aware of this little article that includes Jeep markings?

 

http://www.hmvf.co.uk/pdf/Airborne%20Markings.pdf

 

It is drawn from Airborne Directives issued by HQ 16 Independent Parachute Brigade Group

I was not aware of that article. Thank you for posting it up. Some very useful info there!

For a while now a group of us have been researching and compiling information and photos on British M15 rebuild Jeeps (late 44 onwards), and also the use of the Jeep postwar in British service. In particular this relates to the ERM plated jeeps from 1949 onwards, of which I own one.

With over a hundred original images now collected, I have organised them on a flickr account for easy public access and cataloguing purposes. RLC keycards will be added soon.

Here is the flickr account https://www.flickr.com/photos/139397156@N06/

Please feel free to browse the ever growing library.

Also, all input is welcome. Have other images of jeeps in postwar British service? Please send them to me, or send me links. Know more about the history of the rebuilds and numbering systems? Everything is welcome.

We also have a facebook group for this discussion 'WW2 Jeeps Rebuilt by the British Army'.

Metal Magic is in fact where I got my front exhaust and folding kickstart from. The kickstart is fitted. The exhaust isn't yet because my cylinder isn't threaded. That's on the list to get done.

Excellent, thats a job to add to the list. Nice little detail to add on. She's almost there. There was no evidence of the unit markings left so I did her up to match my Jeep, 53rd Airlanding Light Regiment (Worcestershire Yeomanry). I've never seen pictures of them on one but there are several accounts of them using the fleas. It just so happens the guy in the workshop beside where I keep her is a motorcycle fanatic and mechanic whose father was an airborne dispatch rider who rode one as well as pretty much every other Brit bike. So he has given me a good bit of help along the way.

Hell of a find on that miller light. A fellow member of my MVT group is restoring four fleas all at once and is having a hell of a time finding any.

As for the white paint on the plate, didn't know that. I have been researching all I can on the bikes since I got it but not come across that. Will have to have a closer look at mine and see if anything remains and consider some work on it. What was the reason for this? Were they supplied that way from the factory?

Thanks, and that is lovely. Service brown looks very nice. The previous owner of mine found it under coats of paint on mine when he stripped it in about '85. I went green (SCC15) because it was green when I got it and my Jeep and trailer are green also.

Hi Chaps. Not been on here for ages, had a busy season with the Jeep. However I thought I would move to a new section with my latest MV. I bought this Flying Flea from a friend in the MVT late last year and have spent a good few weekends over the winter getting her into shape.

Let me first say I am a Jeep owner (and fanatic). I don't even have a motorcycle license. All I knew is I wanted a flying flea and kept looking around and chasing for one until I got one, and I love it.

She is a matching number frame and engine (5256), meaning production date is probably early 1943. (Though Enfield Club have her dated as 42. Contract was very late 42 start date so I think they are off on that). When I got her she was running but had not been used or out of a garage since the 80's. I have (with some help) re-wired, fixed the breaks, tidied the carb up and sorted the lights. Sanded down, painted the whole lot. Done the unit markings, census numbers, tire pressure markings and the yellow balance marker for glider loading. So this has been a nice light and fun refurbishment rather than restoration. She runs great and flies along (no pun intended)

Now for those among you who know anything about flees there are a few postwar bits, the carb, front end of the exhaust and the coil. I have the correct exhaust and carb ready to fit. The coil is simply out of necessity due to lack of parts. You can just about see she now has the folding kickstart as well which I fitted a few weeks ago. The only other thing which is incorrect is the blackout mask, it should be a one peice affair. This one looks okay for now until I get the right pattern. I also managed to find a New Old Stock mansfield saddle by an incredible stroke of luck, as the old one was very tired. So all in all a very original bike which is soon to be near completely original and correct.

She'll be carried to shows in an original British airborne trailer and pulled by a '44 Willys, so a great setup.

Yeh its a great area to hike. The weather certainly is a mixed bag. I will have to find some suitably panoramic spots to photograph the jeep as the weather improves.

Must admit, I wouldn't mind having a crack at driving my Dodge up Pen Y Fan, in winter. :-D

I shudder at even the thought, its cold enough up there in Spring! There are some great hills/mountains that I'd love to have a crack at, but I think it would be more than a little frowned upon.