6 X 6

Pioneer Gun Tractor towing an 8" Howitzer. This 'photo is dated 1940.

Forgive me if there's already a link on the forum to this site. Some very nice in service photographs of slightly bent vehicles.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nmbva.co.uk/REME%2520p11.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.nmbva.co.uk/REME%2520photos.htm&usg=__bNvs7g91AflMaYr7sPmdCfR6uJ0=&h=214&w=250&sz=38&hl=en&start=195&sig2=nbrJ0JHOgA6buqEXhxGUFw&tbnid=28SnAXpBkCSXoM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=111&ei=ehlASf27HpOA0gTpm4HLCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscammell%26start%3D189%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

I'm sure all the Constructors were civilian rigs, a few on ex MOD chassis. Richard Farrant told me the army used MKs with lighter rotary-drive rigs.

OK thanks.

The MOD have had rigs for water supply work for a long while.

I didn't know that. What other chassis did the MOD have equipped in this way in the 1950's ? I've seen a few photographs of LWB Constructors carrying drilling rigs.....even one operating in the UK. Were Scammells ever employed in this role by the British Army ?

Thank you for such a very clear explanation. Building a cab entirely from wood is just of the sort of ingenuity that was brought about by shortages of materials and production facilities. There must be many other examples though I can only think of the wooden, largely plywood, Mosquito aircraft at the moment.

Les, I have two ambitions in life. One is to outlive Mr.N.O.S. and get my hands on his Constructor and the other is to live long enough to see your entire 'photo collection. Where on earth did this wonderful picture come from and what was the MOD doing with a drilling rig ? Would this rig have been intended to drill bore holes for water ? The reg. 27CL26 suggests this lorry was built around October 1959.

Only DB used the wooden cab named "Einheitsfuhrerhaus".

Roland, would you, or anybody else who might know, please explain to me the meaning of "Einheitsfuhrerhaus". I believe Einheits may refer to a policy of standardization of parts, and design, between different vehicle manufacturers and, even for me, "fuhrerhaus" is very easy to understand but put together, "Einheits" and "fuhrerhaus", don't make any sense. Was "Einheitsfurerhaus" a nickname given to any vehicle with a wooden cab ? Thanks.

Marvelous 'photo Les, who knows what suffering was endured within these vehicles. I assume the trailer was the waiting room.

Just think of the many happy hours that could be whiled away whenever a small crowd gathers :cool2:

 

Absolutely ! These self-appointed experts rarely have owned, or restored, a historic vehicle but are a bottomless fund of 'expertise' and 'knowledge'. I'm sure we've all met this type of character at shows who can't wait to point out the only metric bolt on the entire lorry or the 'wrong' shade of green paint on a jerry can.

Sightly less amusing are the clever dicks who I was attempting to send up in my post requesting a live webcam in Simon's workshop. These types with their 'you're doing it all the wrong way' unhelpful comments can really slow a job down. Whatever your are doing they've got this other way and "why don't you just do this" or "just do that". My own way of dealing with them is the head butt.

Anyway, other pix of the Militant gun tractor prototype and that body does look absurdly high. I realise this was a prototype but, even so, it looks such a mismatch one wonders if it was a cock up, the result of poor communication between AEC and the supplier of the body.

So not possible me-thinks.....

I don't see why not.

Most of the fish were now so wised up to the rod and line trick that running them over was about the only remaining option.

That's the plan, if it works I'll show you the pictures, if it doesn't no-one will get to see it!

 

Sorry mate, that's just not good enough. We want a live webcam and some means for us to chip in unhelpful comments while your actually doing the job.

Yes 6x6, they do look good. Much better in fact!

Well, I really do think they look better than the later ones and making them would be no more than a few hours work with basic sheet metal working gear. Imagine the cost/difficulty of reproducing a pair of these with the formed, rounded outer edge pictured below. Anyway, it's up to Simon.

Simon, I hadn't imagined the mudguards would be quite as corroded as your photographs have revealed.

Just a thought, I wonder if you've considered making new mudguards of the very early, possibly prototype, pattern that are basically flat and relatively easy to make ? I think they look really nice and wouldn't be out of place on such an early example as your lorry is.

Commercial Body Fittings - www.cbf.uk.com

 

Look under steel sections. Also the diagonal treadplate strip as on Scammell front wings etc.

 

Cannot recommend these folk highly enough, quick delivery and good prices. All manner of old style fittings still available.

Thank you, New Old Stock, "floor wearing strip", no wonder I couldn't remember what it was called.

Sounds like a good plan to me. Thank you for posting further pix. The metal strips on floor have a special name that I can't remember at the moment but these strips were available a few years ago when I restored the body on my gun tractor and I expect they still are. I seem to think I ordered them though a normal steel stock holders. You maybe surprised how many lengths you need, it's more than you might expect.

You're lucky, the body on your lorry still has the central storage compartment and presumably the seven seats for the gun crew. I've seen a few MK 1 gun tractors with all of this structure missing. What is the history of this lorry ? How did it survive in such an original and intact condition ?

These runners are called Bed Strip by some suppliers and even available in S/S and chrome for people customizing classic American pick ups. As I've already said, any steel stock holders should be able to supply it in mild steel, or galvanized, and exactly the same profile as the ones already on your MK 1 floor at more sensible prices than the classic American pick up enthusiasts are being asked to pay.

Simon, I was wondering how you were getting on and it seems as though you've been very busy. It takes a lot of time and elbow grease to restore any lorry from the condition yours was in when the photographs on posts 110-112 were taken to how it looks now. I'm sure, as you say, there are still plenty of jobs left to do, there always are, but at least now that you've got a coat of paint on this AEC the restoration has passed a major milestone. In my opinion, the Militant gun tractor is one of the most handsome lorries ever built and with yours one being one of the very earliest, and most original, survivors it makes it a bit special.

Sorry to hear about the poor condition of the mudguards. Anything is possible, but I would have thought the chance of another pair in better condition than the ones you already have turning up would be fairly slim. The centre section is made from one sheet with a rolled edge and a lip on the inner side while the end sections are made in two parts, from rolled sheet and the rounded, formed outer edge welded onto it. I expect you have considered cutting this rounded outer edge off the old end sections and tig welding them onto new rolled sheet of the correct shape and gauge. I think that's how they would have been made originally and not as one piece pressings. If you don't fancy doing this yourself there must be loads of small sheet metal workshops in Leeds who wouldn't charge too much remake these mudguards.

It would be nice to see a few 'photos of the interior of the body when have some spare time. Cheers.

That's a really nice looking bike Borderlord. I'm sure someone on the Bike's Ward of this Asylum will be able to help you out regarding the bits you need. Sadly, I'm old enough to remember Pride & Clark in London selling these BSA's

in the 1960's for £25 each still new in wooden crates.

The cost is in having patterns made for a casting of a new flywheel amongst other things, then fully machining. It is a complete re-manufacture of a lot of parts. The Intermediate plate isn't that ridiculous at 250 quid...

Yeah, oh well, I'm sure you know what you're doing but it does sound very expensive. Maybe Zsa Zsa Gabor will be doing some of the work hence the cost. I suppose it's only £30 a week spread over two years. Or, if all 2,398 forum members chipped in £1.25 each in return for having a go of the Antar when it's fixed, that would raise the £3,000 but at the end of 2,398 nutters driving around in your Antar it you'd probably be back needing another new clutch.

That's more like it ! Brilliant pictures abn deuce.

Does anybody have any images of US army supply depots.

 

I want to make up a depot display for next year rather than having the Chevy just "Parked up" at shows. I don't want to go down the "Red Ball" route with jerry cans and oil drums, but more general supplies (K rations, ammo etc).

There must be photographs of the kind you're requesting around somewhere. Have you seen the cartons and wooden crates containing rations in abn deuce's post No.5 on the "Field Kitchen" thread in "Other Chatter" ?

Even worse news, the Estimate for the machining and parts for the clutch now stands at £2242.50 +Vat.

 

And what would the cost be for having this machining done for cash ? We are now coming up to the quietist time in what will be a very, very quiet year for machine shops. I really can't believe that there isn't a competent engineering company where all, or some of, these components could be made, via the back door, for cash and at a fraction of the +vat figure you have been quoted.

£500 will buy an awful lot of machining if the 500 quid is going straight into some bloke's trouser pocket.

There's a highly skilled machine shop just up road from me that, from my past experience, would probably only charge £2242.50 in cash to recreate an entire Antar. There must be similar places near you. I hope this post sounds helpful and supportive.

See below new front hub cork seal in its housing

 

That looks nice. You can't beat doing a job properly. Looking forward to seeing a few more pix.

Roland, how kind of you. I'm quite sure I won't be the only one to appreciate seeing these wonderful photographs of your really nice Militant. You, and your friends, certainly seem to have fun with it and and find plenty for it to do. I really like the 'photos with snow. Great pictures of an AEC in beautiful condition AND the only one in Germany. Fantastic.

Bernie Jones should know, PM me and I will give you the last telephone number I had for him.

Thanks Antar, that's very thoughtful of you but I already have Bernie's 'phone number. Bernie and I didn't have much to chat about after he sold his Constructor.