nz2

I have seen engine bores suffering similar pitting damage welded as a repair. It was a skilled operator, with lots of pre heat to the block. I don't recall the type of rod or exact method used , but it was not a one off application, this chap having revived a number of vintage vehicle engines over the years. A lot of people may frown at the idea, however it can be done. Doug

I have enlarged the photo up and measured up the radiators to compare sizes. Down to half a mm. They are of different sizes, yet the wheels are the same size. The position of the second Leyland being about a metre back from the leading Leyland should not cause the degree of distortion. The distance across the chassis front member between the two also varies, however Leyland made only one chassis width. Leyland production to RFC was of one size, the 5000 series( latter called the RAF). The faces of the men in the second Leyland appear too small in relation to the first Leyland. This leads to another approach; could the photo be chopped, a merge of two photos. A skilled darkroom operator can combine areas from separate negatives and produce a print . There are areas about the edges of the canvas covers over the back of the trucks that appear blurred that could support the dark room theory. Another option to consider is the label on the photo; how correct is that. In respect to museum staff, they can only record the information passed on to them. Could this be taken latter than the date issued, and within Australia? Larger radiators were made by Leyland for Colonial use in the 1920's. The radiator on the second Leyland appears true to form, however the left hand radiator has features that don't seem correct.The manufacturers name plate is the wrong shape. Could this be a replacement from a different truck? I understand the swapping of items about between trucks was frond upon, but then the Aussies had this one! Note there are no wheel tracks from the first Leyland, while the second Leyland appears to have backed into its position These are only ideas as I view the photo, and question why so many differences. It is a puzzle! Doug

I too have looked at this photograph many times and queried the differences in size between the vehicles. The inside Leyland is shorter in height, appears narrower and the radiator looks so different in overall size. Leylands with different sizes to the radiators came out after the war!. Perhaps this image was taken with a wider angle lens, but then I would have expected more distortion about the edges and buildings with curved walls. If in the photographic printing as an original print, could the paper have not been flat? Still an interesting print. Doug

The mounting brackets do appear to be the same as used by Thornycroft from the mid 1920's as side lights attached to the scuttle. There is a good photo of these lights on the cover of Alan Townsin's book on Thornycroft. That photo is of a late J model, and like the addition of pneumatic tyres the lighting could well have been updated in it's working life.The shape of the mount does appear to have differences to that of the earlier J lamp mounts. Also not to say other manufacturers did not use the same mounting as made by a supplier of parts. Doug

I need two buildings; a reality building for current projects and the fantasy building. This latter building would be for those items in my dreams. The likely hood of locating these items to place in the fantasy building, can be only classed as remote. The list also reflects my current interests and period of interest time. These are not in any order of preference. 1/ A traction engine with full armour plating as used in the Boer War. 2/ A Foster -Daimler or Thornycroft heavy oil tractor as used for towing large guns WW1. 3/ A heavy siege gun to tow behind above. 4/ A WW1 tank Mk 1 to Mk 111. A training tank with lighter metal plating allows for easier transportation. 5/ Thornycroft Hathi gun tractor. 6/ Rolls Royce or similar chassis armoured car. Pattern Mk1. 7/ Skoda- Sentinal steam powered tank. 8/ Tatra WW1 truck. 9/ The empty space to put in a future dream item. 10/ A vault in the corner that whenever opened has a fresh supply of money available for further dream projects. Doug:yawn:

Aside from looking at this for a rebuilding project back as a truck, in its present format it represents the use of WW1 items in a latter period of time. Relating this to military application as a living quarters it could well have been used by a contractors crew with a steam roller building an airfield for WW11. Items that have been adapted or changed can often carry a more important historical past record than the original item. Attach this to a steam roller and or traction engine or similar where living on site was part of life, relate that to a WD contract and you have another display at a rally. Doug:-)

As for the Tardius on your truck; are you transporting that or.. are you about to be transported by the Tardus? If you were able to quietly slip away with that Tardius then holidays away could be not just into the immediate future. What a choice. Pleasant thoughts if only in reality! Doug:yawn:

i am now the proud owner of the above mentioned 404 used in DR Who and filmed in cardiff; Did you manage to get the Tardius home with You? if so learnt how to operate it yet? Doug;)

The tape you refer to does look like a lead based material. That piece of workman ship, although looking some what rough is a fine example of a older style of repair that has lasted many years. I was about to add the words " in service", but then realized the engine may have only run for a short period after this repair and the engine laid up. That does not mean the repair failed and was the reason the engine was laid up. This is a nice example of a repair or modification ( improvement) that so often gets removed in a restoration as the standard becomes factory finish. Doug

Regards your thoughts as to participation in a 2018 parade. Do you think the constabulary in 2018 will show as much attention, as to those shown in the 1918 photos, I could imagine them prior to event ( like getting there) pulling you over. Their rule book now is a lot fatter and bound to be seen as; an unsafe load, uncertified tow coupling. over length no lights or indicators. etc,etc. Aside from those minor hick-ups the concept of reproducing events as in an earlier parade has so much merit. Similar thoughts for recreating events from this side of the world. On the look out for a set of wings to fit along the sides of the restored RFC Leyland. Doug:-\

Looking over the gearboxes here its much the same problem, especially on the lighter 2 /3 tonners. It would appear to be a common fault , in design all those years ago. Somewhere we have seen a gearbox with metal straps about it, but are unable to locate any photos at this time. This was a repair undertaken many years ago when the truck was in service. One thought I have had was to cut the broken lug off and rebuild another in its place attaching it with bolts right through the casting, from inside the gear box. This is just a thought , having not removed the top cover to check as to clearance inside the box for the mounting bolts. Doug;)

Welcome aboard to another Kiwi. Where abouts is home? Doug :laugh:

While you are stripping these engines down and cleaning the major parts, should you come across any stamped ID numbers that could relate to engine numbers I'll be interested to know. On the M4 engines here I have yet to locate any additional stamping of numbers aside from the ID plate. Doug:cheesy:

Leyland Hippo and similar had manual tank gauges.

Float on a fuel tank with the gear drive direct to a gauge mounted on the tank. No electrical connections, only mechanical. Doug :-)

Pattern of the Saurer diff looks too rounded ( fat) where as the unknown chassis appears slimmer in section. Also the drive shaft input on the Saurer is lower towards the axle level and the first chassis shows input at a higher level to the axle. Even with these points it could well be a different model or year of manufacture of a Saurer. Doug;)

Welcome to a site with a wealth of information. Your location at Ohope is close by, I'm in Opotiki. ( for the non NZ'ers reading, its the next town along the coast) PM me Doug:cheesy:

Looking again at the photo I wonder where it was taken. The background has rows of trees. If it was near to the front I would have thought the trees would have been felled for use in the trenches etc. Could this be a breeding colony of pigeons but if so I would have expected rows of lofts. A photo brings up so many questions. Doug

A delightful photo with so much detail within it. The detail of the GS wagon , the pigeon loft and the tent scene all contribute to life back behind the lines in the support areas. The bicycle is a means of transport that does not have its own thread on the pre ww11 page. Who collects them and can post some images? Doug:undecided:

Certainly a different format to a few years latter. Can you post a few photos of the chassis? What else is different? I would like to compare that with those about here, although currently the stock here starts at 1916. Doug :undecided:

As a demonstrator vehicle, what is the body made of? I assume its therefore not armoured. How many were built as prototypes? A most interesting vehicle Doug :-):-):-)

Works on the principle of different densities in the fluids. Oil products will float on water. The kerosene acts as a separating layer between the two different fluids. Drain off the water via the drain pug( slowly) , until the Kero becomes visible. Meths can also be used. Doug

From the photos shown in this thread, I'm trying to identify the casting marks shown on the spokes. Can you list those numbers? I'm trying to identify wheels as used by different manufacturers. With no bearing caps it becomes an interesting exercise. thanks :-)Doug

Some time back there was a thread on the construction of a replica WW1 tank. I am not sure of the location I think it was about central Europe. Does anyone know of progress on this project? Thanks Doug :cheesy:

spelling check; NO e in Thornycroft. There are a number of critical comments on this vehicle listed in the pre ww11 section; Thornycroft file. The truck advertised would be ideally viewed only from a distance. Through a range finder and used as a target. Doug:-D