madrat

Just buy this one Mike: http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=60951&cat=4 That's a bloody bargain as far as I can tell, already has an oil burner fitted as well.... go on go on go on...:cool2:

I think doing that would definitely cause the petrol to run out! :cool2:

Its not on my list but that only seems to cover those in 42nd Regiment, I'm assuming you have seen this picture before? I probably stole it from you anyway :cool2:

Hi Howard, Not sure if these are of any help. Firstly some images of the 5.5 http://www.42regt.com/guns/55.html And secondly some images of the Leyland Martian tractor that pulled it which I just put up. http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?29704-Gallery-Leyland-Martian-Artillery-Tractor-%28FV1103%29-in-service-with-42nd-Regiment-RA&p=303259#post303259 Cheers, Duncan

Cheers, went through about 3000 images to find these ones! Is your truck in there?

With the kind permission of Chris Dunham and Jim McDougall I have collected a number of images of the Leyland Martian Artillery Tractor (FV1103) whilst in service with 42nd Regiment RA with 68 (Quebec) 94 (New Zealand) and 49 (Inkerman) battery's. You can visit Chris's and Jim's websites at the following links: http://www.42regt.com/ http://community.webshots.com/user/jimmcdougall On with the pictures, taken in the late 50's and 60's at locations including Pembroke Dock and Lippstadt. Enjoy!

No, I wasn't even aware of that site, it seems to be down just now but will have a look later on. I found this list of various martian fv1103's: This lead me to two web sites of images: http://community.webshots.com/user/jimmcdougall http://www.42regt.com/gallery.html Trawling through several thousand images I found more than 50 of the FV1103's in service! Some of them are quite low resolution but worth having none the less.

Excellent stuff mate thanks, been working hard all evening getting a bunch of pictures from a website of the FV1103's in service, so far 54 images! Just need to double check permissions then I will post them up, given the rarity of these trucks I would hope you can find the pictures of interest... Cheers, Duncan

That's outstanding!! makes much more sense from the pictures! Just out of interest what is your military reg number? I may have found some images of interest to you... Cheers, Duncan

Now I don't get out very much so I found the following quite exciting!! Firstly assuming I read the chassis plate correctly I have found reference to my Martian, can anyone tell me more about this information? Then I found an excerpt from the "1956 British Military Vehicles Exhibition in Chertsey" catalogue: And finally a few pictures of the artillery tractor in service, showing the spare wheel crane as discussed!

Wow, that's quite impressive! I guess it shows the power of low gearing! On another subject it would be great to get hold of this "Tropical testing" video: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/100035352

Thanks very much for those excellent posts guys!! Hmm, I guess I'm missing the middle seats then, will get some pics posted once its up the road! Any idea's where to get one? It came with a photocopied manual, maybe wait until one comes onto ebay? Not that's VERY interesting, the boys couldn't get it into low when we viewed it, I'd just assumed it might be knackered or blocked off to prevent transfer box problems. That could be very good news! haha, I did spot the cruise control!! Looking forward to having a drive, my old pioneer had no power steering and the heaviest clutch in the world (I think it might have been out of adjustment though!) I never fixed it in case mrs madrat decided she wanted to drive it more often! Cheers lads, keep the advice/tips/warnings coming!! If/When our paths cross the beers are on me... :beer:

I like the idea of putting 16r20's on it as fitted to the Militant mk3 (And others) these do seem to come up from time to time at good prices. I think the tyres that are on it are past their best but its not going to be a priority just now! Simon, do you have any images in the back of yours? Would be good to see what its supposed to look like under the (Non existent!) canvas, I presume they all have the little "back door"? This was the main selling point for the truck..... Oh and are there any images around of the rear part of the cab? Its obviously three up front but is the rest of the crew just piled up in the back?! Cheers, D

I remember how heavy the pioneer 14x20's were and these are bigger I think? Its got 2 drop down flaps so I guess at one time it would have had the two! Any idea if the rims are a standard item from the period, or something special?

Its certainly home brew, totally over-engineered in some places and hopeless flawed in others, I'd say it is verging on the dangerous! I'm not sure if restore it the right word but I'll certainly be putting it back to gun tractor by reinstating the rear hoops and eventually getting a canvas made. Its in quite reasonable condition and having taken my Pioneer to bits and run out of time/interest I wont be doing the same to this. It will need various jobs doing before it hits the road but the intention is just to start using it off the road for now, doing bits and bobs to it to get it back into good mechanical order. There are actually two cranes on the back, the main one I guess has been used for recovery and is non-original. There is a little hoist for the spare wheel which will definitely be staying!! A great idea!

Not wanting to "clog" up this gallery thread I've replied to your comment in my restoration blog here: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?29523-Leyland-Martian-Return-of-the-MadRat/page3

A bit noisy was it??! What a silly place to put an exhaust.... I shall fabricate one immediately!! :-D

Thanks for the tips, I "think" the reg is 43BM59 but the last two digits are a bit hard to see, in my haste I didn't take down the chassis number so that will need to wait until its up the road! Cheers

That's the plan, get her running a bit better and a stick holding the clutch down, then go for a long drive around the fields! Glad that youtube video exists, we saw it in person in 2008 which might explain why I now own one ;-)

We got the rolls engine to run, needs some tinkering to get it running nicely, clutch is stuck on (no surprises there!) but should be good to go once that's sorted. There is a little 4cyl (Morris 1000?) engine in the "basket" which powers the hydraulics, its a non-runner and to be honest I think the whole crane will be going for scrap! Its still got the Scammell type winch under the floor.

Some images of my recent purchase! Does anyone know any of her history?

Some further images of her, including a few of the crane which has been added! Does anyone know any of her history?

:rotfl:Haha, I feel like that sometimes!! So how many FV1103's do you think are left?