Richard Farrant

Hi Andy, I have a 1950 data book from Solex and for the Crossley 4x4 with 30/100 engine. The carb is a 46RZI, choke is 38, main jet is 205, correction jet 210, pilot jet 75, GA jet is 7, GS jet 175, well is 7mm, Ass. is 20, E tube or Jet cap. is 51569/L2, MPH 41, RPM 2,500, Specification Record No. S.964 There is a slight variant on this one for the Crossley 4x4 RAF fire tender.

No snow here, just a hard frost!

The list in the following link is far more comprehensive; http://www.jedsite.info/misc/foxtrot/fv_series/fv-series.html ...... and it does list 1609

I would think without doubt that these crates came from Ashchurch. The US Army was based there during the war and the crates were brought in from the docks, presume Bristol. There was an assembly line set up there.

Hope you put the rubber flap / gaiter in after the tube. They are always fitted with divided rims.

Hi Roy, Looks like they did produce in small numbers for the WD, but also supplied to Russian army. The Commercial Motor article linked here describing an improved model in 1919 mentions gearbox changes and as you will see, there were problems with selecting due to chassis twist by all accounts. http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/13th-march-1919/16/a-british-four-tonner regards, Richard

The frame on the front of the Beaver is for shunting the 4 wheel generator trailer. The mobile X-ray unit that used to visit military bases around this way in the 70's was based on the Bedford VAL twin steer coach chassis as I recall, as I once had to go to a barracks to sort a problem on it whilst it was operating. It from the Royal Navy at Lee-on-Solent.

Martin, This might be of interest; http://www.tss.trelleborg.com/remotemedia/media/globalformastercontent/downloadsautomaticlycreatedbyscript/catalogs/turcon_varilip_pdr_gb_en.pdf There is a list of sizes near the back of the document, you might strike lucky and find it is a stock size.

The NSN for the Ether refill can is 7RB/2910-99-657-6885 Makers stock number is shown as BW206613, think this is a Renault trucks number. Try searching for Start Pilot

Steve, The name of the product is Start Pilot, you have to use a special aerosol which fills when inverted on some vehicles, assume the same on RB44

Hi Martin, They appear to be the same as a normal lip seal, but from memory the was a slight scroll moulded into the lip. The maker's technical blurb was that they were "PDR rotary shaft seals (PTFE type - direction of rotation biased)". I am sure that originally they were normal seals and these were introduced later on. Richard

I did my apprenticeship at an agricultural engineers a few streets away from there and my bench was made from a Morrison shelter, a bit on the low side but very sturdy. At the army workshops the carpenters had a trolley for moving timber on and that had brand new Carrier wheels on it. A lot of recycling went on in those days, it is not a new thing!

When the MoD were reconditioning engines after their test, the oil was drained and a preservative engine oil with lanolin was put in, this was light run and drained, then this lanolin oil was sprayed in every orifice, intake and exhaust, and plugs or injectors removed to spray in the bores. The flywheel or pulleys were taped so that the engine can be seen that it is not to be rotated and a label stating this as well, otherwise it would wipe the bores. Injectors or plugs refitted and all orifices taped over. When I was involved with winterising combine harvesters, we ran the diesel engines up on a Shell Calibration Fluid which is a preservative. I do recollect that all MoD engines in store were lifed for something like 5 years, then they had to have plugs or injectors out to inspect the bores with an endoscope and if not rust, then re-preserved. If these engines have been stored somewhere where the temperature can rise and fall, you have to be wary of condensation inside. Hope this is of some use

Martin, There is an inner and outer seal at that position that I recall. Only the outer one was supposed to be changed by 4th line workshops, but when I was working on them, I found a way of changing the inners as well but needed to be done carefully and I think a tool had to be made. Going back about 18-20 years now, so cannot recollect exactly. Also the seals were special and where made for the gearbox. When in service if the inner seals were leaking the box was supposed to go back to base workshops for rebuild. regards, Richard

That would have been Ashford ?

There was a Centaur, and I thought one Cromwell

Simon, The supplier is correct in what he told you, 6, 12 or 24, the same condenser will do all of those voltages.

Hi Andy, Good to chat with you the other night. Just seeing your post here, I have just remembered that a certain member of IMPS from Somerset, has an Australian LP2 Carrier and I think there is one or two more LP's in the UK so perhaps we should put the pressure on them! regards, Richard

OMD330 is actually a straight SAE50 engine oil and used in the gearbox, and I recollect it continued to be used in the MK and MJ gearboxes too.

and what was the trough made from ........... a piece of PLUTO pipeline? (the on land pipeline I mean)

I suspect it is a formation connected with Ulster or N. Ireland

I see "BR" ........ not part of a railway sleeper is it?

Pete, Good reply, well said. As an editor of a club magazine and a monthly newsletter for two separate MV clubs, I know only too well that you can only put in what you get sent in. Like you I have been in the MVT for many years without a break, think it is about 37 years now and I have never had any criticism of it and certainly would not post it on an open forum. cheers Richard

I had a hunch that it was signalling and thought I would follow it up, could not believe it when the ebay picture came up !!

would it be an improved apparatus for indicating or communication in connection with military and other operations? Ah, we posted at the same time Clive!! It is Patent no. 9350 and applied for by Bernard Dietz of Canterbury