Richard Farrant

Good points Ferg, and regarding the blackout headlight, don't forget that it is now a requirement to use headlight in rain and bad visibility, this could happen whilst out on a journey. I used to use my headlight on WM20 when going along narrow lanes in order to be spotted quickly by oncoming vehicles. Also had a quick detachable board for reflective number plate and 1950's Lucas stop/tail lamp, which could be removed to reveal original tail lamp when on display. regards, Richard

A cooking vessel?

Looking at the outline and dimensions I wonder if this fitted into a cutaway jerrican?

Maybe for a leprechaun .......... did you note the dimensions?

Clive, Some sort of strainer? Looks like mesh at top of pyramid shape and expanded metal on sides of it.

Having seen this happen at other auctions of military vehicle collections around the world, my feeling is that the publicity in national newspapers and media has alerted people to the sales and who have probably been unaware of the collecting movement, websites, dealers, clubs etc. and think this is their only opportunity to buy these vehicles, then there is a bidding frenzy as they try to secure said vehicle because 'they are never going to find one again'. I bet later on someone will tell them there was a such and such vehicle like theirs for sale at half the price elsewhere. I think that a lot of people catch colds at these auctions, but very good for the seller of course.

Peter, I would guess that at one of the army workshops rebuilding engines, they have had to replace a cylinder block with a new one and have used a non-QL block, hence why the engine number is prefixed QL. This was common practice, as a given number of engine were sent for repair and same number had to be returned. Point I was making was that an un-machined block (QL) would not be suitable on other models of Bedfords with the shallow sumps (ie MW, OY, OX, etc.)

OK, to muddy the waters even further ...... I recently rebuilt an engine out of a QL, the block was not machined for the filter. So it was made specifically for a QL. Main bearing was different in the thrust location, no flanged shell as block was machined for the commonly used half round thrusts, one with a tag, other plain. Also big end diameter was smaller. Casting date on block put it at mid-1950's, 10 years after the last QL was built. The engine was in fact the Extra Duty type that was introduced to civilian models in early 1950's. As it was still on standard bores and going on other things, I deduce this was a new engine produced by Bedford for the Ministry of Supply under contract and they used the latest version of the 28hp. Around the same time a friend was rebuilding a MW engine (it had MW prefix on its number) and asked me why it had separate thrust rings, so not an uncommon occurrence. With all the rebuilding of WW2 vehicles going on at the time with the army, parts were still being produced to keep them running. Oh, and reason the big end diameter was smaller was that the bearing shell materials were improved. cheers Richard

This FV number is not listed in my Ferret parts list, and this copy was updated until their disposal. I am thinking this is an old part supplied before NSN codification and it could be something that was superseded thus deleted from the parts list. Someone else mentioned LV9/ASC code covering Fox as well. This is not quite correct, what actually happened was that some Ferret components in the gearbox assembly were also used in the Fox, hence ASC numbers use on those parts.

Its to do with the oil pick up screen. The standard 28hp has a plate just forward of the distributor to access the screen filter. The QL has to have a different sump with a well at the front end to clear the axle, so screen on that one is fitted to bottom of oil pump. An access plate in base of sump allows cleaning. The QL block is not machined for the filter screen. Richard

The rod is shown as 'NP', this means it was Not Provided as a separate item, so you have to go for the complete tool.

There is a difference in the cylinder block of a QL from all the other models fitted with the 28hp. So if you are looking for one for an OY, MW, etc, then a QL engine is not suitable and vice versa.

Hi, Does anyone know of a source of brake shoes and springs for a FV2842 Medium Girder Bridge trailer? They need not be new, if you know of someone breaking these trailers. The enquiry is on behalf of an overseas contact with a couple of these trailers. cheers Richard

RTB was the maker, Richard Thomas & Baldwin, a steel manufacturer in South Wales. BSC was I think, British Steel Corp., not sure on RG, a thought, I wonder if it was Radway Green who made ammunition.

Thanks Bob, 28 years ago, where does the time go. The photos I took were sent to you, possibly via the Tank Museum and I never kept any myself, negatives will still be here, but might take 28 years to find them! cheers Richard

Bob, I take your point, as I think this is the Matilda you restored from several found on ranges in different locations in the UK. I inspected one on Lydd Ranges for this project .... god knows how long ago. So looks like these tanks never went to France in 1939. Regards, Richard

Many years back there was a big hoo haa in one of the tabloid newspapers about Russian bearings being used in Chieftain tanks.

I see that they are employing an outside firm to do this, probably end up as a cock up

Hiya RR, As you say, the bearing at comm end is a metric size, 15 x 35 x 11 mm and is SKF 6202 The drive end bearing is Imperial, 5/8" x 1 9/16" x 7/16" and SKF number is RLS5, Hoffman LS7 or R&M LJ5/8 cheers Richard

Hi Bob, Welcome from another Ashfordian. regards, Richard

Andrew, Just go to a auto paint shop and ask them to mix BS101 Sky Blue, in a synthetic machinery paint. This is supplied for tractors and the like and stands up to heat of engines.

I guess it is a naval gun, hence why it belongs to Sea Cadets. I think they were fitted to Destroyers.

I ran through the list and thought some of the workshop procedures titles would still be of use in this day and age. I remember the Tech Library in the workshops I was at, had EMER's going back to WW2 and there was even a manual for a early 1920's Dennis lorry there ........ that would have predated the establishment so no bounds how it came to be there!

Nothing could beat the EMER publications relating to vehicles and ancillaries, when the AESP's came in they were sadly lacking and were mainly a compilation of manufacturer's publications that did not go deep enough with the information.

According to local news reports several people reported hearing the engine cutting in an out as he went over Ashford shortly before he came down, he was probably hoping to get it to Headcorn which was only a few miles further. Think he was coming back from France, so could have been worse.