Richard Farrant

The two machines in the front are Douglas 2 3/4 hp models, not sure of the location ( ie don't know!), but think the rider on the right is smoking a Woodbine

Probably something to do with defence cuts, got a few oldies out of mothballs :-D

Chas, There were portable gen sets in the army for operating these same power tools, in 70/80's, commonly known as "high cycles". Would have been used by Combat Engineers I would think. They were 208 volts at 400 Hz, hence the nickname. To use the tools on a 432, the paralleling link is broken by disconnecting the harness from Socket 1 on the Distribution Link Box and connecting the mating harness from the Power Tool Unit to Socket 1. This makes the two alternators operate two different systems. The front alternator operates the power tool circuit and rear alternator operates the vehicle circuit.

Paul and Mike, If you switch to convoy when parked up out of use, it will isolate brake lights, or at least should do unless someone has wired it differently. Only thing is, remove the convoy light bulb, which is not really needed and if this help stop a discharged battery, well so be it.

Hi Steve, So it looks like the Crossley was on detachment to the company to transport the sections, as it still had RAF serial number on it. Thanks for the information.

Good work Dennis :thumbsup: Thing that always surpised me with those trailers, is that they are unbraked.

I have overlooked the fact that the lorries at the far end do not have blackout lights nor does the Crossley, so perhaps it is at the end of the war, also think the Crossley could be in gloss finish. There is a winged crest over the windscreen and same on the lorry next to it, was that the company logo or perhaps that of MAP ?

Hi John, Nice photo. On enlarging it I notice the Commer/ Hillman van has as well as RAF number, the letters MAP which are Ministry of Aircraft Production, these letters also on the Crossley tractor unit. Seeing as your employer was involved in manufacture of wing and fuselage assemblies, the Crossley was probably towing a Queen Mary and there to transport parts to the aircraft factories. Could well have been based with the company as work would have been regular. The van might have been the Ministry Inspector, who again was attached to factories, in order to check parts before acceptance, then give them the inspectors stamp. If the Commer lorry was new, as it has blackout lights, it would appear that it was still wartime. regards, Richard

Hi Girls, You did not say which seal was leaking, if it is one that goes to a front propshaft, then a relatively easy job, you will need to drain the transfer box oil first. The nut in the centre of the flange will be tight but if the other shafts are on, then the flange will not turn. You may need a pluller to remove the flange, but cross that bridge when you get to it, it may come off with a slight tap, there is a split pin securing the nut. Once the flange is removed, the seal housing can be unbolted and seal removed and new one fitted. Make sure there is no rust or mark on the seal path of the flange. If you have to change a seal on a rear one as well, the practise of doing a front (easy), will help. best of luck regards, Richard

That was quite a common problem in service, definitely not an electrical fault normally. I have known them come on over night in the Workshops, with a Patrolman reporting "someone left a vehicle's lights on" when we got to work in the morning. Another theory was overfilling the reservoir and possibility of a blocked breather hole in the cap, a slight pressure rise will put the lights on while standing.

Thanks Neil, Only reason I asked was that one came up in the early Ludgershall tender sales, along with a Saladin training aid ( no mudguards due to being rolled frequently to train TA Recy Mechs ). These two were brought to the local Ordnance Depot for disposal through the tender sale, I think the Ferret might have come from a cadet unit, probably in this area, there were signs of markings and ARN, but I did not take note of them, don't seem to think it had an engine in it. I distinctly remember being asked by the Tank Museum at the time, for an appraisal of the Saladin, until they learnt of its condition. .

Hi Neil, Do you know when it was sold off from the Army? Reason I ask, is that one came up in one of the first tender sales at Ludgershall ( when was that, mid to late 80's, I think), although the Ferret was actually laying in another location.

You still think I'm joking about it being a sweeper.........its true

Tony, They needed 4wd sweepers, because of all the dirt roads in Australia.

If you are refering to the Warrior, it is a trials vehicle, check out the "NC" ARN. The recovery version in the REME Museum collection is also NC ( meaning Non Census), and if I recollect, not made of armoured metals.

Tony, That is a road sweeper, built on the chassis and running gear of a Canadian Fox armoured car chassis, if I remember correctly. The chassis were sent over from Canada during the war for bodying locally and not many, or any, were used until declared surplus.

Robin, I think that I saw REME do this at an Arborfield Open Day back in the 80's, but not Lightweights, I think they were Series 2 88".

Eddy, There was a Valentine project imported from NZ for sale at Beltring.

Not all of it was sold up. John thinned his collection out with a big sale, but is still running the museum and restoring vehicles, from what I hear. Some vehicles came to the UK.

Noel, They look like they are both Dennis vehicles. I think the other colour is in fact grey. There was a Leyland belonging to the Kent brigade that used to come to local shows, it was used during the war and that one was red with a grey bonnet.

Hi Simon, I recollect you only pulled the seal housing to change the seal. If it had overheated previously, the gasket around the rim might have suffered, perhaps it did not show on testing as it was cold ( both casing and oil). Somehow I do not think the centre bearings are worn or you would see signs of oil flung from the centre.

Thanks Dennis :thumbsup: Enjoying reading about your projects, keep 'em coming. regards, Richard

Hi Dennis, Very nice restoration, well done, and your others are also great. When I first saw one of those ambulances, I thought how useful they were with the access right through, unlike the British army version. The ambulance seen here, I am sure you probably know. The owner being quite a character, not been in touch with him for a long time, so if you see him please pass on my regards. :-)

It looks like a late 1940's B31 or B33

Adrian, Just a bit puzzled how you got Hastings from my two clues :undecided: I will give you another one........... :readbook:.