Richard Farrant

Ah, Guy, I have found your information source, http://www.avi-ltd.co.uk/id12.html sadly this is for the 214 engine, which although is evolved from the 28hp, it is not the same engine. I personally would not use these torques on a 28hp.

Guy, Where did you source these torques from? They are so considerably higher, that I would be cautious on using them.

Jules, The jeep shown, was ex-British Army (with an interesting history after demob, that's another story) and it still had some of the original footman loops for the web straps, so side screens had been fitted in service at some point.

However .......... if you are prepared to accept the data from a 1947 Bedford manual for civilian lorries, Main Brg. Cap Bolts; 63 - 66 lbs/ft Big Ends ; 38 - 43 lbs/ft Cyl. Head bolts ; 78 - 83 lbs/ft

Ian, There were no torques specified in the wartime Bedford manuals. To tighten the head they advise "on no account must the head bolts be overtightened. Fully tight with one hand on a cylindor haed wrench, such as Britool No. D4117V, should be taken as the limit".

The use of a gloss coat on top of the primer will not enhance the life of a semi-matt/eggshell top coat, it is there as a barrier to stop the metal from corroding.

I did not mean that it would be useful for spares, more that it would be easy to work on if you are already familiar with the workings of a HAC. There have been a few in preservation over the years. Used to be a nice one that came from Harwich, think there is another one around with a Perkins P6 transplant. Seem to think the Bernard Venners had one once.

Les, A lot of similarites mechanically, with your H A/c too!

I recall that was following a large parade in Moscow ........ perhaps the driver had been sampling the local brew

I seem to think there are a lot of photos of the Victory Parade on the IWM photo library, you can get sidetracked once you are in to it though.

Hi Andrew, I have four definite numbers of Dingos in the parade and your number falls between some of them, no guarantee it was there though. Here they are ; RAF F340645 RN F340661 Army F340725 Army F340621

Hi Mike, Berliet tried to sell the French military the Stalwart, to replace their DUKW's, but without success. I read somewhere that the trials vehicle is in a museum in France.

Two Berliet wreckers were purchased by the British Army, one was in BAOR. The Alvis/Berliet agreement ended after a short time.

I recall from my work experience of them when they were in service, that there were several contracts and a number of differences between them. I would think that any with BP reg are the last ones.

Not wanting to muddy the water, but if the engine was rebuilt, in wartime, by a Min. of Supply contractor, it might be painted green, black or what was available. I have never come across a specific date or time when Eau de Nil was introduced. Try and find some wartime photos of a Bedford of any type with the bonnet up and if it is a very light colour, then you can bet on it being Eau'.

That was them, 9 Independant Para Sqn !

From the BS381 colour codes, 216 is Eau de Nil and 101 is Sky Blue. Sky Blue was used from around 1950 onwards. Eau de Nil was used previously but not certain from what date.

Looks like a Curtis Commando from the tail fin. The Bedford QLW tipper was airportable, the body was split down the middle and the chassis could be disected. I do have the instruction booklet on the procedure. One must assume it was done to fit a C47 and as it appears to be a late war idea, probably intended for the Far East as the outcome of that theatre was not to be known at the time. In much later years i have come across Muir Hill A5000 LWT having had their cabs literally slashed off at waist height with a disc cutter and the rough edge covered with a bit of rubber trim, so nothing new. These were from a Parachute Engineer Sqn. of RE.

hi, You are correct in SAE 30 for the engine, go for a classic/vintage type as it is low detergency and suits the oil system on a 28hp. The gearbox oil you quote, C600, was a SAE140 grade, quite heavy and it was superceeded later in the war (see later Bedford books) to Hypoid 90 ( or EP90 in modern speak). Hope this is of help.

Apologies Tony, I had not enlarged it, but the damaged wheel arch played tricks and it looked to me like someone standing behind the trailer. Must make a note ....... call Specsavers :embarrassed:

Tony, I think the photo is of a single axle trailer, check the wheel arch. What might look like a second wheel just could be a man standing behind the trailer ....... or a mudflap. :undecided:

Could it be a Federal ?

Well said Bob. I was in disagreement as well. When you consider how long it takes in peacetime to develop a fighting vehicle without the fear of factories being blitzed and sub-contracting work to hundreds of little machine shops around the country, with workers who are learning new skills, what we did was remarkable. The Centaur was the start of the advance towards Comet, to read the Rolls Royce Meteor book from the RR Historical Trust gives a good insight on what they were up against.

Must have been one of the later ones in to service, as there were others, 01BP49, 01BP67 included.

Hi Jules, You will see the Alvis badge on the front. Alvis and Berliet were at the time going in to an exchange agreement regarding these trucks and the Stalwart. It may be this wrecker was on user trials as part of this, with Alvis seeking orders from our army. The ARN seems to indicate it as in-service, but that did happen in other cases of trials.