6 X 6

Is that the same reg.no. as the Constructor in post 379 ? FV11301, Thank you for a timely and interesting post, Reg No. is HFO 990 on both lorries.

Well worth the wait. Thank you very much for posting these brilliant pictures. It'll be interesting to find out if this Constructor is still surviving and, whether or not, it's the same one that Radiomike once owned.

Blimey, you've been about a bit mate ! Thank you for posting more wondrous Militant 'photos. I can only assume the operator of this dustbin lorry was hoping to recruit Militant enthusiasts as drivers, to work free of charge, just for the pleasure of driving a MK1 around all day. I would have done.

Thanks Graham. I inexcusably forgot that these earlier gun tractors would have originally had a recessed towing pin and, as you correctly say, the lorries in ekarecker's 'photos have been modified to accept the swiveling type of towing jaws that you see on the later MK 1's. I'd not seen this modification before. What they would have been like originally.

If you enlarge the lower 'photo of an obviously restored gun tractor you can see what appears to be the same modified front bumper, and towing jaws, as in the top picture. Both vehicles also have a spotlight mounted in the same place. Personally, I've not seen a spotlight mounted on any Militant in this way before. If you think the 'lollipop' type flashers are fitted at unequal heights on the lorry in the top picture, as they are on the one in the lower picture, then this could be the same vehicle. Or, just one of a batch that were all modified in the same way.

Ekawrecker, thank you for posting these two wonderful photographs. That 'fresh out of MOD auction' look is the look that I'm always trying to recapture with my lorries. I wish I could have been there to help you bolt on the replacement rod. Both of these AEC's appear to have had work done on the lower part of the cab doors and 01 BP 28 seems to have had a plate welded on the front bumper. It also doesn't appear have the usual type of towing jaws fitted. What did your friend do with his Militant ? Was it converted into a recovery vehicle as so many of these gun tractors were ?

I'm pleased to hear you like RL's. Once so commonplace and now looking so exotic. I saw this one at North Petherton on New Years Day but I've no idea whether it's for sale. Good luck with finding a nice one.

How did you know that ?

And irrefutable evidence of global warming.............. :confused:

Hey Steve, welcome to the forum. Do you know the chassis number of your Matador and anything about it's history in the military before it worked in the woods ? There's plenty of Matador experience and advice available on this forum and, if you wish, you can start a your own thread in the restorations section on the link below. A few 'photos of your AEC would be very welcome if possible. Cheers. http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/forumdisplay.php?f=22 It only hurts when I laugh.

So far a very disappointing couple of inches......... it makes me cheated when I read some of the other posts. :-( Early afternoon today.

Looking forward to meeting you. PM sent.

Sorry, I meant to say....... you're very welcome to visit but only if you're a bona fide historic military vehicle enthusiast.

They're now in BA3 and you're very welcome to visit but only if you're a complete nutter. :cool2:

Somewhat out ? It might have been just about excusable if the train had clipped the rear of the trailer but to take out the front axle of the tractor suggests this bloke was miscalculating on a grand scale. Agency drivers.

The reason I suggested posting your Constructor post on the 'Constructor' thread is that it's hot stuff and people interested in Constructors won't think of looking under "It's Will from East Sussex" and might miss it. That would be a shame. Kind regards, Tom

I see you just did. Thanks.

Thank you for your reply. If you have any more photographs, or stories, about these Scammells maybe you would be kind enough to post them on the 'Scammell Constructor' thread in the 'Transporters and Wreckers' section. Here. http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?t=7308

That's very kind of you to offer but there's already a bit about them on here. Please see link below. It was your personal experience of them that would be of more interest. Thanks. http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?t=7308

Thanks very much. I didn't know these lorries were used by the TA. Did you ever get to drive one ?

Can you tell us anything more about this one ? Cheers.

This photograph was taken about 10 years ago in the yard in Bristol where I kept my lorries. On the left is the ex Roland Simonds Militant MK 1 Cargo XVS 199, in the centre is the ex Laurence Davison Constructor YFO 311 and, still in snowplough red, the ex Ted Gowen Constructor YSV 865.

Forum member Antar may have a winch cable available but whether it's the correct type and length I've no idea.

I'm sorry to read that you have had these undeserved set backs. In my experience the most prevalent human quality I encounter is incompetence. It seems to be everywhere and I have an endless fund of similar stories to yours. When asking for something to be made I always provide good quality drawings, or a pattern, and talk through the job until I'm sure, I hope, that what's required is completely understood and they STILL cock it up. It's unbelievable. Not in every case, but fairly often, the problem stems from the job being passed on from the person one originally discussed it with to the person who actually does the work. A sort of 'Chinese Whispers' takes over but how can that be case when there are drawings, or a full scale pattern, to follow ? Mike, you will prevail but no one needs all this aggravation.

Jimh, thank you so much for starting this already wondrous and totally enthralling restoration thread. I'm sitting back in my most comfortable armchair and can hardly await the next installment. What about a daily video update at around teatime ? There was someone offering lubrication suits for cats. I'll post the link as soon as I can find it. A bit like this but smaller and with a hole for the tail. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Army-Surplus-Lubrication-Overall-Waterproof-Extra-Large_W0QQitemZ350141927896QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_Militaria_LE?hash=item350141927896&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1294%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318