Richard Farrant

Now you are talking my kind of vehicle :tup: In the last few years there has been a resurgence of interest in Dingos, with a number of sad cases being restored. I have rebuilt and restored quite a few, but each one gets more difficult as parts are dwindling. As is usual with surplus parts, there are rarely the parts most wanted, hence why they were surplus. There are sources of sheet metal parts, ie floor panels, stowage bins and mudguard. Canvas parts and seat covers can be made, but the big problem is tyres. The only vehicle in the British army that had 7.00-18 tyres and Dunlop made the last ones around 1957. There are few ways around this, I fitted some new truck tyres to one, tread not authentic, but you can put miles on it without fear of wearing an irreplaceble tyre. Common problems............none really if it is checked out well, ie electrics, ignition, fuel. Keeping oil in the final drives is the main problem. Richard

Rick, I think that was Morris who did that, Bedford normally only stamp the chassis and have a plate in the cab. Simon, The chassis number is in the area of where the post war plate would have been. I cannot check now, because the one that I rebuilt after is no longer here. Think the numbers were about 1/2" high. Widen the area of search! Richard

Neil, Good to hear you are on the mend, take it easy and look forward to next year. Richard

You would have thought she would have dropped it over the side after using it..........maybe they were thinking of the enviroment and polution back then :dunno:

Seeing this last photo of the young lady getting of the landing craft, what is in that paper bag, her Duty Free? :whistle:

Simon, MW chassis numbers and years 1940 1001 to 18750 1941 18751 to 33719 1942 33720 to 46021 1943 46022 to 55885 1944 55886 to 64484 1945 64485 to 66995 Regarding authenticity, it is doubtful that major items such as bodywork and chassis were produced after the war, stocks would be high and plenty of vehicles to use for spares. So any MW that has had a rebuild would still be of WW2 origin, just a bit mixed. Richard

simon, 1940-41 there was a small speedo to the left and to the right, the CAV round switchboard with ign and light switch and red warning lamp. Below to left was a dual oil pressure / water temp guage and to the right, an ammeter. this was changed at Chassis no. MW23433 1941-45 large speedo to left and to right the combined AC instrument cluster with ammeter, oil guage and warning light. Below in centre is the CAV switchboard. Richard

Simon, There are several differences over the 4 years after the aero screen version, but they also got "corrupted" on major overhauls or rebuilds, and it would have gone through at least on of tohse. No consideration was given to Contract number, year of build etc. If you have a chassis number, that is the best way, then you can find out if it has the correct dashboard, (2 types), roof cupola, etc. The chassis number could be on a plate in the cab, also there may be a large dat plate on the chassis under pass side, with post war census number, chassis number and dates of rebuilds. Adjacent to the plate will be the chassis number stamped in side of chassis. The round rad badge would seem like an early one as later, around 42-43 they had a rectangular pressed metal badge with only "Bedford" script logo on it.

hi Mark, True, UNF is interchangeable with ANF threads, the same with ANC and UNC, but there is a difference in the thread root and crest. Unified came about after WW2 and is supposed to be due to NATO trying to standardise threads by developing the Unified system. It would appear that it was a refined version of the American National system which started in 1911. Richard

Dave, That looks like one that is a small reservoir, which is filled with a special aerosol of Start Pilot, they come without a nozzle and work upside down, like a lighter recharger. There must be a pump in the cab, to inject it with. Some Ford engined yard tugs which the Army had, were fitted with this system. Richard

Piet, Try this forum link, if someone on there can confirm whether the screen is the same part as used in the civilian vehicles, you should then be able to order one in Belgium or Holland http://www.leylandexports.com/cgi/forum/Blah.pl Richard

I have just enlarged the photo slightly and noticed a vehicle behind the "FDS" sign, it looks to be a BBC vehicle, a Humber 4x4 ambulance body type which were adapted for reporting and broadcasting from the war zone. This is significant, because the BBC set up the first radio link back to UK from Creully Castle. Look at this link; http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.beckwith/bh/repwar/wr_trucks.htm Richard

Based on the Humber heavy utility running gear Richard

and that one is a Humber Light Reconnaisance Car

Rick, Generally, they are ANC and ANF, that is American National Course and American National Fine. Richard

There looks to be more British vehicles in that photo, front right foreground is a Dennis tipper truck, and to the left is a Humber heavy utility 4x4. Further back, the large group of trucks, I can see several Fordson WOT6 trucks, along with a CMP 3ton truck, a jeep and possibly another Humber. In the centre coming towards camera is an Austin K2 ambulance. Richard

Hi, Its not the one that Cyril had, this is John's.

Radek, I think he comes on here, next time I speak to him, I will get him to contact you...........he also has a K2 ambulance ;-) Richard

I suggest you order the glass under the correct model number of your truck, a geat deal of British Army repair work is now done under Contract repair, and the parts are obtained from civilian sources. As there are number of these trucks now in civilian commercial use, construction sites, etc. There is a fair chance of getting one, try contacting a DAF dealer and checking with them, as to if it is the same part number as the 45. Richard

That actual car belongs to a friend of mine :tup:

Richard, That is Start Pilot, nearly all diesel powered vehicles and equipment in the British Army had these at one time. Very rarely needed, intended for very cold climate starts. They are little aluminium cartridges. The same device fitted to a Petter AA1 single cylinder diesel, was fitted to something like a AEC 12 litre diesel. I have seen these Petters with blown head gaskets and stretched head studs, by using the Start Pilot pump, it was too big a dose. Richard

Its an Austin 8AP 8hp 2 seater tourer :whistle:

A rather apt name as this is what most people say as they squirt it in a reluctant old diesel :-D

Tony, Ki-Gas pumps and reservoirs were fitted to the Daimler Dingo, and filled with petrol, it had several jets in the manifold. You might remember the Fergie TEF, diesel, that had a Ki-Gass pump................as did the Spitfire ;-) Richard

Radek, Built around March / April 1943. Richard