Richard Farrant

David, just an age thing !

I have seen a blue one, but cannot recollect where ....... that is white disc with full blue centre.

Went there on Wednesday, arrived at 9am, rain just starting, got soaked even wearing waterproofs, came back to the car park to get dry clothes and wellies, alarm bells ringing as a few people were struggling to leave, uphill stubble field. Went back to see more, got wet again, so decided to go back to accomodation to dry off. Moved about 12 feet before bogging down, waited for 1 1/2 hours for the tractor to pull me up the field, he was working flat out and still cheerful. Another tractor came along to assist him, reckon 1 in 3 vehicles needed a tow. Had to go flat out from top of field to the gate to avoid bogging again, it was so wet. On the way down in the morning, I saw the Battle of Britain Class loco "Winston Churchill", in Rownhams Service going East, so that made me wonder on conditions before I arrived. It was planned to go in the Heavy Haulage arena. Heard from Hotbed, who is camping there, that the East carpark (where I had been on Weds), was closed, so running out of time today, I had to abort my second day. Hope conditions improve, the sun was shining when I left. A great pity as a lot of hard work goes into the event.

Pete, It will be a pretty good bet, that the Machinery bodies fitted to WOT6's ( and some transfered to QL's postwar), are of the same dimensions. Richard

Paul, This vehicle does not retain any of the standard drive train.

Dave, I was having my meal and browsing when your post came up, hence the quick response. Quiz team, now theres a thought ! I did read a report of how many Scammell gun tractors had cracked blocks one night in France 39/40, due to not draining or possibly not fully drained. Instances like that put pressure on them to use anti freeze. Will dig around and see if I can come up with more info.

hi Dave, Not seen any regs on this but what you say is correct, I have seen examples from post war of a white square and red circle. I think that I have seen or heard of blue instead of red as well, so might fit in with info you have from the K2 book.

I do not think you read the post properly, Deadline. The guy showed this picture of a truck with bigger tyres on, as he would like to do. So this is not the GMC he bought.

Bill, I do know of a Bedford RL that is in covered storage, not been used for several years, all there. The owner spoke to me recently saying he does not use it and is looking to sell. It is from one of the last contracts of RL's bought by the army before the MK came into service. Will try and find his number ........ it is in Kent. Richard

Barry, You will find generally that the extreme bottom part of the bore does not suffer too much wear and so it is the most likely place to centre on.

Ashok Leylands now use Iveco engines and the old Ford Cargo cabs. A bit like the BMC trucks made in Turkey, name is only link with the past.

So long as they are not wearing anoraks

hi Montie, No progress reports for sometime, how are you getting on with the Saracen? regards Richard

Ah, glad it was not a wasted journey Chris! If the car park was the usual stubble field, I can imagine it being interesting

Thanks Andrew, Going by the cab number, there were at least 3 Leylands presumably. The Hino ...... I have seen one at Corowa in the past, with a flat body, will have to dig out the photos to see if it is one of these trials vehicles.

Rick, I remembered a thread on the Leyland 4x4, here it is; http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?15702-Leyland-4x4 In the Leyland thread above, mention is made of a 6x6 Leyland being trialled by the Australian army, the contract being won by Mack. There was a 6x6 in service with the Heathcote Bush Fire Brigade, to the south of Sydney, in the late Eighties, perhaps this was one of the army trials vehicles.

Hi Rick, I do not recollect the British Army using a Leyland with the Bathgate cab, but think the RAF had some artic tractor units which were Leyland Mastiffs, with that cab. The cab was also adapted for the Scammell Contractor, as the Aust. Army used for tank transporting. There was a Leyland 4x4 8 tonne on trials, when the contract was out for that weight range, but the Bedford TM won it. Might be able to find a picture.

Paul, If the Ural has a "drawbar pull" of 11 tons, that is at it says, it could be pulling a much heavier load / vehicle, but it would never be "pulling" the actual weight. Take a tank transporter tractor, it would not equate in weight to the tank and trailer combined. Looking at the video, it is pretty clear that too much speed was the issue here. I used to test winch equipement while working for the army, and with a tensiometer it was interesting to see just how low a pull was required to move quite heavy vehicles.

hi Jules, the one fitted looks like the short version, seen on early postwar Vauxhall cars (etc). The one fitted to Humber engines is longer (also fitted to Austin and Bedford lorries). New ones if found are very expensive, but an alterantive is available, it looks like an original filter, same connections, but remove the bottom to reveal a modern spin on filter ( a common type, fitted to Massey tractor, etc). Available from John Morter, may seem pricey, but you next filter change could be as little as a fiver.

Correct, muff couplings.

Bernard, Good to see you on here. I remember you were my first point of contact, (Membership Secretary), when I joined MVCG in 1978 or thereabouts. regards, Richard Farrant

Chris, I hope the Morris is there this weekend, if not it is still an enjoyable show and not too far away. regards, Richard

Hi Shaun, Gearbox ; SAE30 straight mineral engine oil (not gear oil) Transfer box ; OEP220 (Army designation) Hydraulics and fluid fly-wheel ; OM13 (Army Desig,) an ISO10 hydraulic oil, eg. Morris Liquamatic No.1 Bevel boxes ; OEP220 Lube nipples on suspension and wishbones, use gear oil OEP220 is a an 80w/90 Extreme Pressure gear oil, the MoD spec book states it is not suitable for systems with gears or bearings made of copper alloys .... as the Army specified this oil for many years in Ferrets, Saracen, etc, it is obvious that there are no copper alloy parts in the gear train on these vehicles. have I missed anything? regards, Richard

Gordon, I can probably help you with oil info here, but as Marmite (Lee) says, start a new thread as it is not related to Saracens. you can PM me if you like. regards, Richard

Hi Chris, There is a CDF, actually think it is a CDFW as I recollect it is winch equipped, residing in East Sussex. Think I last saw it at the Festival of Transport at Hellingly (always August Bank Holiday), so might be worth popping over to have a look. If it is not there, always an assortment of other interesting vehicles to be seen. regards, Richard