6 X 6

A few days ago I suggested that MadRat might like to get the Video/DVD that is a copy of a war-time training film featuring the Scammell Pioneer. It shows in detail how to use the winch, how to do a suspended tow etc. trouble is, I can't remember where you can buy a copy. Could someone a bit more on the ball than me post details of how to get a copy for the benefit of MadRat and anyone else who might be interested. Thanks.

Well at least you did something useful. I took 26 pallets of "Heat" magazine, the entire supply for Scotland, up the wall of death as far Liverpool. Came back MT. 198 litres of Diesel. What a waste, what we could have done with that.

I was referring to the RE experience with both Constructor types. A good friend of mine drove the 20 ton version and at one time in his unit, 6 out of 8 vehicles were U/S with broken gearboxes.

 

On reading your post I unreservedly apologize to you, and the RE, and completely withdrawn my comment that any gearbox problems experienced by the RE was due to drivers, or those responsible for maintaining these vehicles.

 

Having apologized, I now must thank you, because until I learnt though your post of the pile of defective Constructor gearboxes at Vass's, I had been unable to understand how Constructors gained this reputation for breaking gearboxes. I mean, if I had a quid for every time someone's said to me of the Constructor something along the lines of "you know it's got the same gearbox as the Reliant Robin" I could retire tomorrow. The way some people talk about these vehicles you'd think they could hardly go for 5 miles without spewing their guts out all over the road.

The Explorer doesn't seem to have the same bad name and yet I would have thought an Explorer gearbox driving it's winch while recovering a heavy, bogged down payload is under similar stress as a Constructor gearbox would be while towing a heavy trailer through it's transfer box. Then there are the many examples, some on this very thread, of Constructors working quite happily with 100 ton plus loads.

On the two opportunities I have had to talk to "proper" Constructor drivers both men praised the gearbox and both said any problems in the past may have been caused by drivers unfamiliar with the Scammell gate. Thanks to you, radiomike7, I now know it was Poor Quality Control at Watford effecting a particular batch of defective gearboxes that was inexcusably to blame. Talk about give a dog a bad name. That one episode has saddled the Constructor with a reputation for frail gearboxes in spite of all the evidence to the contrary.

Andy, thank you for sharing these 'photos of 27 CL 51 with us. A very nice original example and, with winch, comparatively rare.

Sorry mike didn't put that very well, it didn't sell on ebay and was sold later privately, the link is dead now.

Whatever the circumstances, the new owner certainly got on with things, it's all not that long ago it was listed on eBay.

Tractor, 30 ton, GS, semi-trailer, 6x6, Scammell Constructor to give it's proper name. Their main claim to fame was breaking gearboxes, not bridges.

 

Mike

Only because of driver incompetence, inexperience or inadequate maintenance. Both Constructor drivers I have spoken to, Stan Wass and Bert Paul, praised the gearbox. When you think about the punishing payloads civilian Constructors undertook while operated by Pickfords, and others, and see how many of these vehicles have survived into preservation still with their original gearboxes. I was requested, via my weegie board, to post this rebuttal by Scammell craftsmen who have passed on to the other side and are pretty irate at this unfounded slur. I'll go back on there tonight and try to calm them down a bit.

Gritineye, I'm very pleased to hear you agree. Once the cabs done you can sit in it and make brum brum noises .... very satisifing !

The British Commercials Museum in Leyland is one of a number of places that may be able to give you a brief history of your Scammell's time in the military.

They charge about £15 and will need the WD Reg.No.

http://bcvm.co.uk/

Where to start with the restoration is a very personal thing, and other people will no doubt have other ideas, but I always begin by jacking the vehicle up and removing the wheels so that at least you can see what you are doing. I also find it helpful to focus on one job at a time rather than pull the whole vehicle apart and end up with a huge pile of intimidating bits. I've found that if one does the cab first, while completely ignoring the rest of vehicle, and restore the cab to almost a finished standard, you at least will have something to look at and inspire you when the going gets tough, as it will, when tackling other jobs. The other reason for doing the cab first is that this can often be the most problematical part of the project and you will need all the enthusiasm you can muster to tackle it. Enthusiasm is a quality that is more abundant at the very beginning of a job than at the end as you will already know. Good luck.

Wow !!!

It's taking all my will power not to get straight up to Ayrshire with my little wire brush and get stuck in on those mudguards ! There's a Pioneer recovery, and Pioneer gun tractor, rotting away together on a farm not far from where I live that might be a useful source of spares but the owner won't even talk about selling them. If the situation changes I'll let you know. Service manuals for most Scammells are available on CD through the "The Scammell Register" but I expect you already knew that. Also, there's an interesting article about Pioneers in the latest newsletter. Do you have the excellent half hour long video/DVD which is a copy of a war-time training film featuring the Pioneer and it's related equipement ? Very much looking forward to seeing you post 'photos of your progress with the restoration on the forum. If you would like the 'phone number of a Pioneer expert fairly near to you let me know and I'll PM his contact details.

Mat line up at same show.

Phil's Gov'nor at his Wroughton Mat & Milly Show around 1997.

Wroughton Show about 10 years ago.

Photo taken at Wroughton about 10 years ago.

Looks like an ideal project for younggun.

Fascinating subject, thank you for posting the wonderful 'photos and interesting detail. Cheers.

Gritineye, how right you are ! I'm sure many of us have heard that irresistible, seductive "dry squeaking sound" that is their siren voice. One other thing, have you noticed how there always seems to be a railway line fairly nearby ? I've often wondered whether, like whales communicating across the ocean deep, old Scammells and the like somehow use the rail network to "talk" to each other. Please see Constructor Gallery post No.105. It's only an idea, I can't back it up with any hard scientific fact.

I think you'll find DUKW's are exempt at the Dartford Crossing.

I was just feeling a bit sorry for the Andrew's Garage Explorer. Let's all hope it finds someone to care for it soon.

Could you put me right ? I keep going over the last few posts on here and if I have understood what is being said correctly then I have completely got the wrong end of the stick regarding how people end up with old lorries. Surely, just like cats and very beautiful women, old Scammells choose who will have the privilege of looking after them. As you know, old lorries have a very complex transdimensional spiritual life of their own and until the right person comes along they WILL just sit and wait. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with a lorry that's sitting and waiting, it just means that it's being fussy and has yet to find anyone who meets fully with it's approval.