Richard Farrant

Inter Vehicle socket, for jump starting. I cannot see the voltage, but if 12volt it might have been used in Norway. Generally speaking these sockets are only on 24volt vehicles, but if memory serves me, the Scammell EKA recovery had 12 and 24 sockets fitted.

Mark, see my post, no.10. There is a link to an account on its history. Not sure that Canadians used Matilda anyway. (it is on an old Canadian training area).

Was it a two wheel drive truck? They were S type, not R, which denotes 4x4.

The 300 petrol engine can be changed to a 330 diesel, with Bedfords, the size and fitting on the engine block make it relatively easy to swap and change as there is little difference between petrol and diesel, you need to end up with a diesel engine with bell housing mountings to suit you RL, down on the side, the TK had a different bell housing suspended from a cross member. It is a lot of years since I was working on Bedford RL and MK, so mind is a bit slow :-D

RS was the short wheelbase version as on tippers, RL was long wheelbase, petrol or diesels optional on both.

This is a Mk2 Churchill that was used by Canadian troops in training in that area, it became obsolete and probably had major problems so was used for target practise. This was all prior to the Dieppe raid. It was recovered by REME. For a good story on it try this link; www.findonvillage.com/0566_the_last_tank.htm

Tom Forrest is the gentleman in question.

Andy, you have reminded me of going on a Scout camp in early Sixties. All the Troop and Leaders travelled in the back of a BMC FG removal van. My eyes were streaming due to diesel fumes by time we got to the New Forest. Cannot see that happening now, even the Army use coaches now, rare to see a 4-tonner full of troops.

Hi Stone, Regarding spare parts availablity, a company called Bedford Genuine Parts, based at Staplehurst in Kent, have the rights to re-manufacure parts and they supply the MoD with parts for MJ and TM. Some items of cab tinwork have been reproduced in glass fibre, non-structural that is, like headlamp surround and mudguard. They have dealers who you have to buy through, our local one is Ditton Service Station near Maidstone ( they were a Bedford and AWD dealer in the old days). An old established commercial vehicle repairer will know your vehicle, the only real difference to a TK being the four wheel drive. TK was one of the most common trucks in the country at one time. regards, Richard

Oily, Having done this job a good many times, here are answers to your questions; 1. No easy way, engine has to be pulled out first, then gearbox. I suggest you read the full EMER on your vehicle to give you step by step on what and how to do it. 2. No, you have to remove the box from the vehicle to strip it. 3. Easier to find a good gearbox than repair it, if you are not confident. I have fitted some good takeouts from vehicles destined for range tagets with low mileage boxes. This will keep the costs and time down. 4. Forget trying to fit an auto box, it would be a major engineering job to mate it to engine and transfer box, and why...the pre-selector is a superb device providing it is used with care and kept in good order, ie. adjustments and oil levels. regards, Richard

Thanks, amazing technology.

Tim, A Proper Job ( said in a Devon accent ) :-D A very impressive process, how wide is the "cut" ? It only looks about 20 thou.

Tim, If it was that rare, and I loaned it to a museum, it would be on the understanding that if it was ever wished to start or demonstrate then only I would undertake this.........I'm assuming we are talking WW1 era vehicles, where you have intimate knowledge of their workings, unless you trained a staff member to do it.

Hi Alan, Thank you for your kind words. I got to know Les well, did you know his predecessor, Stan? The Morris C9/B Bofors came to Ashford for work to be done as it had been standing in the open at the Rotunda for years and suffered. At that time it was in sand colour. We did a lot of work on it, and it drove well, but it went back to standing outside, as the Firepower was was still only an idea then. Others we had in were Honest John launcher, and supply truck, BV202, Stalwart, Auster, etc. The C9 Bofors was restored by another party prior to the opening of Firepower, I believe the gun was incorrect originally and this was changed. Now the Chev Quad..........my recollections of this was when it turned up at the Workshops on a truck, as an Apprentice project, I think it might have been started by the Colchester Workshop and then passed on. It might have come originally, from Muckleborough as the result of a swap. There are a number of things that are incorrect on it, as you may know. My feeling is that it had been a garage breakdown truck, due to changes in the rear bodywork. If you would like to know more, please email me, details at bottom. regards, Richard

Thanks Clive as usual with me, dive in at last minute :-D

Is this list relating to items of clothing and kit that go missing?

The carrier looked like a T16, four road wheels, other possibility was a Windsor, although I don't think it was.

ah, you noticed the bras listed then :-D

Hello Alan and welcome to the forum. I thought your name was familiar, then realised when you mentioned Firepower. I did in fact deal with a lot of the museum's vehicles, when they were at the Rotunda, getting them ready for the move to the Arsenal, that was a good few years ago now. The Sexton was the biggest challenge... regards, Richard

Thanks Martin, that explains it.

Thanks Jules, good photos. :thumbsup:

When we left Portsmouth for Normandy, our passports were all checked by ticket office.

Matt, Sending you a PM regards, Richard

Les, The vehicle in question that John is researching, is a Machinery Type M. Different layout and machinery to your data and photo, the lathe is a 5" and mounted across body at the front (Type X has a 7" lathe, mid mounted longways). It already has the fixed wooden bench, witness marks show that it had a bench drill, valve refacing machine and bench grinder. Gen set was mounted in centre of body opposite bench, oxy/acet bottles stored at rear of body both sides. Do you have data sheets for a Type M ?

One word.........font :coffee: