6 X 6

The following five posts are all illustrations taken from the Tractor, 20 ton, GS, 6X6, Constructor User Handbook.

Apple.

Martian Gun Tractor.

Although these graphics are one of the best examples I've seen along the lines of "if the Earth was an apple then the Sun would be the size of a Martian Gun Tractor" sort of comparison it, in my view, hardly begins to address the true insignificance of our home. Statements like "there are about 100 million suns in every galaxy and more galaxies than grains of sand on a beach, each with a 100 million suns" do. I think it's kind of freeing, I mean, if you can't do what you want to in the insignificant, out of the way, place our solar system surely is where can you ?

The one in the top 'photo, the LWB Cargo was set alight by kids whilst being stored and completely burnt out. The Gun Tractor in the lower picture was cut in half and exported to Bongoland to work in timber extraction. Ironically, this same Gun Tractor is shown on the Mat and Milly website as a survivor which, as I say, is not quite correct.

I think the unladen weight of the vehicle is relevant. There was an article in one of the Classic Commercial magazines a few months ago which I shall endeavor to find.

Sorry, just found the article I was thinking of and it refers to Pollution Charges not Congestion Charges. As you may well know commercial vehicles over 12 tonnes and registered after 1/1/1973 will need to pay a DAILY charge of £200 per day from the 8/7/2008. I'm quoting page 10, "Classic Commercials" magazine, August 2007.

NO !! having just done some work on these there are some hidden nasties. The half shafts are prone to breacking and the handaling is exciting. If you want an ambulance get a 101 at least then you hve a purley military vehicle.

Not with the Salisbury rear axle fitted and with the anti-roll bars mine came with the handling on roundabouts is like a limpet.

I think the unladen weight of the vehicle is relevant. There was an article in one of the Classic Commercial magazines a few months ago which I shall endeavor to find.

i know you say a landy is quite common but why not go for a old series ambulance instead

these are quite cheap at the minute as not to many want them:shocked:

They don't appeal to everyone but I've owned this one for about 7 years now and had nothing but fun with it. Also, if you have these zig-zag pattern tires fitted they make a really nice howling noise when you go along which I think is quite important.

Not forgetting SnowCats and Hippos.

Aren't a lot of them actually run by a civillian firm? Wheres the application form?

As I said earlier in this thread they were quite desperate for drivers at one time. I think I can remember seeing adverts for drivers in "Truck and Driver" magazine which mentioned two or three weeks on the road training at a residential venue somewhere. I expect more than a few did just the training and then disappeared in much the same way as potential "buyers" of MV's turn up to test drive MV's being offered for sale and then, after doing so, are never seen again. I sometimes think a "Sellers Guide" would be more useful than the "Buyers Guide" currently being mooted.

I'm not known for climbing up anything higher than a pub door step.....

Many of the pubs around here have done away with the climbing step altogether. It's very sad to see many of the traditional pub entering skills being lost as a result.

Don't forget to pack your crampons and thermos.

I had to look up 'crampons', I thought you meant something else and thought why would I need to take those ??? I do seem to remember it being quite difficult for them to find civilian drivers for these transporters due to the extremely itinerant nature of the work. You never knew where you were going or how long many weeks you would be be away from home. It became so difficult that in one ad I saw they were saying they would accept drivers with up to 9 points on their licence. I've always given them a wide berth since then.

Can't call them pretty like a Scammell or Diamond T. I'd be impressed if you get yourself one! I remember climbing the south face of one a few years ago to get in the cab. Needed mountain rescue to get out.

 

MB

I might soon be in the position to get one if Dinky bring one out. Failing that, as a Tax Payer, I think I have a fairly strong case for demanding that I should at least be able to have a go of one.

Some weeks ago I wrote a perfectly polite and reasonable letter to the Highway Authorities requesting that the flashing matrix signs on our motorways should carry warning signs when convoys of Oshkosh tank transporters were about. I even suggested suitable wording. I thought flashing up "Warning to all WWII MV enthusiasts it's not a Scammell coming, it's an Oshkosh" would be helpful. The thing is, and I'm sure I'm not the only one this has happened to, there you are, driving along in a semi daydream, reading the road ahead, when you spot, far in the distance coming towards you, is it a Diamond T, Antar, Scammell ? You get all excited, it actually turns out to be an Oshkosh. Nothing wrong with that, they're really nice and I plan to get one but it's just very slightly disappointing if you were expecting something a bit more vintage. We should be warned.

Ooops! I didn't mean 'common' in a derogatory way! I just mean that the basic Land Rover look is pretty recognisable due to its ubiquity, especially 'round these parts. I reckon that might be the easiest way to go for a start though, since parts are common and cheap, but I really fancy something less usual, along the lines of a Pig or a Ferret. Are they at all common/affordable (looked on milweb, no prices!)

It's alright I was only kidding. I'm very new here myself but as you will have already found this is a most friendly and helpful place especially in regard to advice about buying and running a MV. Good luck with finding something and please take and post plenty of 'photos of any vehicle you eventually acquire.

Thank you all very much for your replies. I often wondered what make the lorry was and also who the people might have been. Whole books have been written about ex.WD vehicles on the fairgrounds in the 1950's but this doesn't, to me anyway, look like a fairground vehicle in spite of the tow hitch. Maybe this is just Traveller Dave's grand parents taking a spiff break. Here's the other three pics that make up the set. No writing or clues on the back of the prints.

Hey Tim,

I'm not quite sure what you mean by Land Rovers being a bit common. Some are, but that's more to do with how they've been brought up. Anyway, you're dead right about post war stuff. In fact, it was predicted as long ago as 1944 that PW vehicles would be the most desirable.

You'll never ever see these two Militants at any Show. Although at one time well known on the northern rally circuit both were destroyed at different times, and under different circumstances, some years ago.

I acquired these 'photos of a caravan conversion which were probably taken in the 1950's but I've never really known exactly what the make of lorry it is. So, what is it please ? Thanks.

Text to Follow.

Text to Follow.

One of the M.o.S. Wooden Bodied Constructors.

Ex.Ted Gowen Constructor.