Richard Farrant

yet another K6 gantry, this is pictured in 1988 at Rushmoor rally. It was only sold off from Royal Navy service a short time earlier, used on a Naval Air Station I think. The front weight frame is not of the normal type, being lower and lighter.

He took it on the 1994 MVT Normandy tour, but I think it was completed several years prior to that.

A friend of mine in NI, restored an ex-RUC K6 gantry, could be the same one, his is painted in desert finish as well.

The sign looks to read Royal Engineers Transportation. The sign on nearside wing is a training unit...........my guess is that the photo was taken on a Victory Parade in 1945, looking at how smart the outfit is and I think flags are hanging on the buildings.

here is another K6 Gantry, just after I repaired and repainted it about 8 years ago. Now with a new owner and forum member and repainted in olive drab.

Degsy, One of these types was the Invacar, powered by a Villiers 147cc engine, built by Greeves, the motor cycle maker. The first one was built by Bert Greeves around about 1949 for an invalid friend. There were several makes avialble through the Ministry scheme, including the Harding, like nz2 has found.

Oh Put it another way, you don't have to take the wheel off to gain access :sweat:phew....got away with that I think still say its a Man's truck though :-D

Tony, Normally those mobile workshops stood around until a major exercise and did little mileage. I understood they were obtained postwar as a stopgap. Mind you the predecessor Machy wagons, were Ford WOT6 with V8 and Bedford QL, both running around 9 ton gross.

Be warned that Land Rover Green from tractor dealers, is no longer Deep Bronze Green. Years ago, Rover used DBG as a standard colour, but on the Defenders it is now a different shade and that is what New Holland / Ford / Case IH branded paints are.

That is an Albion Clansman 6x4 3 ton Machinery truck, basically a mobile workshop, the body was of same design as that used on the prewar open cab 6x4 3 tonners and also the wartime Ford WOT6. The sides fold out to act as benches, carried lathes, drill, grinder, etc, depending on role. They were basically a civilain truck introduced around 1948-50 or thereabouts. I remember them still in service in late Seventies, before disposed of. That one looks to be a demobbed one.

Just a normal QL, mudguards are missing, there is plenty of room to lean over the wheel for servicing........... .....a real Man's truck :thumbsup:

This bloke could sell ice to Eskimos and make a profit :-D

Have you told Degsy what his accomodation actually is yet? I have heard you are getting one of those Shepherd's huts, the corrogated tin ones on iron wheels :-D

Andy, The lower photo.........is that the Malvern Hills in the background?

...........and to add another detail. In the top left photo, on the wall is a sign for Nuffield tractors, so likely this was taken outside a garage or workshops.

Hi Adrian, The Ruddington catalogues I have are from the 1970's, no Diamond T's in there, although a lone Mack "tractor (LHD) with recovery hoop and winch 6x6", which I would think was probably a NO2, ex-Royal Navy 12RN14, sold in 1974

Now......I recognise that one. Back in the Seventies, I completely overhauled one, right down to the bare chassis. Although it is down as a Bedford R type, it is in fact a 4x2, so an S type. This always puzzled me because the S was discontinued around 1959 when the TK came along. The R type 4x4 continued until about 1979, but this sweeper was built in the mid-60's. Anyway, it was a bit of an animal to operate as the sweeping attachment was belt driven of the back of the gearbox, really sapped the power. There are numerous cloth bags inside that are filters, a long handle on the side is attached to a shaker mechanism inside so that the dust can be shook off the bags. The rear view mirrors on top are something else, imagine seeing a Vulcan approaching from behind!

Ted, Several of these came up for auction at Ruddington in 1974 ( vehicles lying at RAOC Ashchurch), inc. 70AV42, 70AV78, 73AV05, 72AV84 and 73AV72. All van bodied generator trucks.

I agree with all CW says on this subject. What is forgotten is that a lot of the manuals and tech info you are reading are basically out of date when used against the formula of petrol as it is today. To start with RR B range, there is a very limited adjustment on the distributor, due to the slots. RR never really updated their tech info, not the engine, from when they first built it. The point about timing being at a point where it will not kick back on a handle, would seem like a compromise point.......how often do we hand crank an engine now, unless it is of a prewar vintage and is a neccessity.

The Australian Army had some in service, although apparantly they were badged as Commer over there. Still a few turn up in Aus. on the show scene. There is a Champ, early S1 Land Rover and Ford Thames ET there as well.

Neil, PM sent

Specialist in transporting all that sort of thing, they bought yours in from Czech.

Actually I think it did got back to work now I think about it. Here is photo of what I think is the same vehicle, probably at MEXE Christchurch.

Errr............typing error

There was a Militant tipper on the show scene for a short time in the Eighties with a scow end body, similar if not the same, as the Aveling Barford (LD55) Dumptruck that was in army service. I think it may have come from one of the military trials establishments, Chertsey or similar.