6 X 6

Andy, it's truly fantastic the amount of stuff you come up with ! It looks like Steve's Constructor and Graham's MK 3 in the background, I wonder if this 'photo was taken at GDSF. Very unusual looking Scammell, I expect someone will be able to enlighten us.

Chris Philips has the green one, then there's the one Paul Rhodes squashed, one on Cyprus, one in North Wales, the one younggun spotted on eBay, David Crouch's orange recovery truck plus half of one seen at GDSF so, blimey, that only leaves another twelve to find ! Come on, own up, who's got 'em ? http://ccmv.fotopic.net/c841738_121.html

Thank you for an interesting piece of research.

It's true that Paul is one of the few people to have ever looped the loop in a Scammell Constructor but that was with a different one. The Constructor I mentioned seeing at the place where Paul stored his lorries was an immaculate, and very original, bronze green example just like the one pictured at W & P and also shown in post No. 6 of this thread, Reg. No. KYC 621D. The rolled Constructor was red and had been converted to a recovery truck, Reg.No. RSJ 590. I can't imagine there can be many immaculate bronze green RAF types around so I'm assuming it COULD be the same one. I'm certainly not going to stick my neck out and definitely say it is because I know from past experience that there are persons lurking in the shadows just waiting to pounce should I be wrong. Taking a wild guess, I could be WRONG, there can't be more than 15 - 20 surviving ex.military Constructors of all types and it seems incredible to me that people like us who are interested in these vehicles don't know where this small number of remaining Constructors are or what state they're in. This is why I suggested earlier on this thread that we might compile a brief register of these few surviving vehicles. Anyone fancy doing this ?

Obstructed breather vents on the front palm couplings may not be the cause of your brakes locking on but I hope it is because it's a problem that's so easy to remedy. These vents are usually a small hole in the centre of the depression on the dummy pressing which locates on the coupling when it's not in use. These holes can become blocked by paint. The other type I'm aware of is a primitive one way valve in the form of a flexible washer at the same location. This sort can also become gummed up with paint or old age. Being unable to release air pressure through the front couplings causes the vehicle you are driving the 'think' it's being towed by another lorry which has, via air lines, just applied it's brakes. Typically, this fault occurs at traffic lights on busy main roads and just about any where else where it will cause the maximum chaos.

Are the breather holes on the front palm couplings completely clear ?

Better get yer tent out again.

I'm pretty sure, but not certain, I saw this Constructor at Paul Rhodes yard about four years ago. Paul told me he restored it himself so, if it is the same one, he would be a good person to ask. I was too preoccupied with other business to ask Paul myself.

An experience of a lifetime ! Your choice of photographs really told the story, I particularly liked the shadow silhouette, thanks.

Reading this has warmed the cockles of my heart.

There's quite a thriving leather industry based around Street in Somerset and I've been looking around for a leather worker with a small workshop who could make a gaiter. It's really quite a simple shape to make and shouldn't cost all that much. I could make a former in wood that would allow the leather worker to fashion the gaiter accurately. I also have 80% remains of an old original rubber gaiter that would be good enough for a pattern. Personally, I would prefer a concertina design like the original one rather than one in segments like a rugby ball but would like to know the cost before deciding. I'm sure everyone who owns this sort of Scammell would be interested in buying a gaiter, if only as a spare. May I suggest we find out for certain that no one has any of these gaiters available and if not, find a leather worker who has low overheads and high standards.

Thank you for your advice. I'd was wondering how best to treat the leather once a gaiter had been made. Your suggestion of using Neats Oil sounds ideal bearing in mind the gaiter's need for flexibility as well as being dust and waterproof.

Currently on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130237989437&indexURL=7&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

£2 each ? You was done mate ! I can remember buying one at Woolworths, Tooting Broadway in about 1962 for less than 10 bob. Even though I'm supposed to be vegan I could live with a leather gaiter, it would be better than drawing dust into the seal every time the ram moves if there is no gaiter in place. I only worry, where will it end ? Leather strap over the bonnet ? Wicker picnic basket on back ? Actually, come to think about it, the Militant has a leather gear stick gaiter so maybe leather is a cool material to use on vehicles of this period. If you do decide to have one made in leather, I might be interested have one made at the same time, or buy/borrow the pattern from you, or whatever, possibly. Thanks.

N.O.S. Thank you for such a well informed, and comprehensive, reply. Yes, I would be interested to know if there are proven alternative couplings already available out there. One effect of a high selling price on eBay is to draw similar items out of the woodwork in the hope of attracting the same high bids. We'll have to wait and see if anymore of these Scammell couplings turn up on eBay in the next few weeks. On the subject of remanufactured Scammell bits, does anyone know if the gaiter that protects the power-steering ram is available at present ? It would not be difficult to make one from leather, it would be better than nothing, but might look a bit too "vintage Bentley" for us lot. Occasionally, I see quite large gear stick gaiters in vans I wonder if one of these could be made to fit.

I think I would have needed to closely examine this coupling, to be sure it was serviceable, before parting with 200 quid. This component is common to the Explorer and Constructor (and Pioneer ?) but what precisely does it do ? Also, does anyone know of an engineering plastic/nylon, or other material, from which a drive coupling could be machined if a Scammell metalastic one needed to be replaced ?

Winning bid £216. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280242542434&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

I've always meant to get a copy of this film which was filmed on location in Berlin in around 1949. Anyone watched it ? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042249/

Well, I guessed someone on here would know ! Thanks.

Very interesting indeed, thanks for posting it here. I used to have to buy magazines to read about this sort of thing but now it's only a click away.

I saw an immaculate Antar towing an ex MOD four wheel van trailer on the A14 eastbound this evening. I assume it had been attending the Hollowell Steam Fair. Was anyone there and have 'photos they can post ? Come in radiomike7, this is your neck of the woods.

The "thinking about something bigger" syndrome usually indicates the disease has progressed to the more serious, secondary stage. Military Land Rovers owners are typically in denial in regard to the extent of their symptoms and sooner, or later, the full blown characteristics become impossible for the afflicted individual to repress any longer. I suggest you initially find a place on the Land Rover Ward of the Asylum but it looks as though you may be transferred elsewhere quite soon.

Adrian, thank you for posting the AAIB report into this tragic accident. Having just read this report, I can only say how sad was this lost of a highly skilled and experienced pilot due to a technical fault that no one could have been reasonably aware of. Thank you for correcting me and my most sincere apologies to the pilot, a man much braver than me.

I expect you will be aware of this video showing the crash of what may well have been the last flying mosquito. A classic example of a pilot letting the presence of a crowd go to his head and attempting stunts beyond his, and the aircraft's, capabilities. Very sad.