nz2

There is locally a Landrover 6x6 perentie ex Aus military. It would be 20 plus years old. Apparently a few were imported into New Zealand second hand about 7-8 years ago. Truly a great machine Doug

Great to see the body going on. I see a problem developing with a lack of clearance as the roof goes on! Is there another call for a bigger and taller shed? Doug:

Is this also a hint as to another great restoration project coming up on the one day list? Doug

Re Getty photo At first I thought there is some thing wrong with this photo and wondered if it was incorrectly labeled. ( only too often is the wrong manufacturer given credit in museum collections). The radiator is of the early 1912-13 pattern and the spoke pattern of the wheels also early Thornycroft. However upon enlarging the image, this brought about another question when looking at the front of the vehicle. A lack of dumb irons or even front springs. It appears to have a pivoting front axle. It appears to be Colonial model M designed for traversing rough ground. Exported to Australia and Africa. Alan Townsin mentions in his book the unsold ones went to the War Dept.: Interesting photograph. Now to find a Thornycroft like this one for the collection. Doug-)

I was told the extra cement was being flown in this morning, but this is too extreme for a delivery!:-|

"Yes mam, the cat has been caught and is safely aboard."

Shown clearly in photo 3 are the protective covers for the driver and passenger. What was this fabric? I assume its a lighter weight calico rather than a canvas. Also the gloss to it would indicate an oiled surface as a water proofing. Doug

Tim, I assume you were looking at the wheels beside the bowser trailer and these late model things got in the way! Chain drive, Solid rubber, spoke pattern would indicate which manufacturer? Is that a roller bearing visible? Doug

Richard, do you have any more photos of this particular truck or overall trial event? A couple of points arise as to the design and fittings on the truck. The vehicle is fitted with curved mud guards both front and rear, where as other period photos show factory specs as flat guards. Also the woodwork across the back of the cab is horizontal laid rather than then the usual vertical format. From the angle of the photo it looks like a step on the offside as if to give access to the cab, but with no door on that side and the gear change situated there the step has no use. All up the truck appears well finished rather than a service truck to WD specifications. This could well be a special order cab and fittings? Out to empress a buyer yes. Doug

" Oh yes, and my tie now has a muddy spot on it!"

More images of lamps

Quietly over a period of time we have been collecting up suitable lamps for our vehicles. Miller side lamps were purchased then along came a couple of Miller tail lamps. One only is marked WD. Last week Karl buys another lamp, this one made by P&H and carrying the markings RAF. As per the photo it has a bolt at the back for mounting, but not attachment bracket. Being marked RAF puts a date as after 1918, however now the questions evolve as to its use when electric lighting for vehicles was becoming more the norm. Was it a hand lamp for security or similar rather than a vehicle lamp? Doug

This photo has puzzled me for a while as to the truck manufacturer. From the bonnet design, it appears to be a Hallford truck as the workshop. Note the flat belt driving the overhead line shafting for the workshop in the cab area, taken from the engine flywheel direct. Doug

Runflat was asking about the 1916 RAF Leyland here. On the back is a metal dumper body that was raised by a Garwood cable- hydraulic hoist. That was removed for transporting the truck and placed on the rear deck. Also on the back are spare solid rubber tyres. The body and hoist will go on to another Leyland chassis of the early 1920's better fitting the period of time, allowing an original RFC type body to be constructed for this. While a number of photographs have been located showing other manufacturers trucks in use by New Zealand units in the army, no photographs to date has been found showing any Leylands with RFC markings and with a NZ connection like that of the silver fern insignia. To complete this truck to that with a Kiwi connection as used, would be the ultimate aim. Doug

An interesting image described as a telegraphic office. Note the sprags with the discs attached, by the rear axle. Number 2 is a further image of a workshop. It would appear somewhat posed for the camera in the manner of the items shown and the numbers of people about. Australian photos. Doug

A most interesting photograph contain so much detail. It would appear to me the unit was put together as somewhat of a mis-match. There appears to be no substantial chassis frame to the trailer visible, the weight of the engine and generating set, along with the vibration of it in operation requiring the additional bracing supporting the floor. Yet the nature of the wheels and axles suggest an heavy loading is possible. The wooden frame work supporting the canvas is basic, there does seem to be any secondary support for the canvas roof to stop it from sagging. The whole canvas cover appears to be draped over as one sheet with little tension to the roof. Operating this in wet weather would be an interesting time. The wooden box on the front could be an electrical junction box with exposed wiring to the elements. Like wise I can't see an exhaust pipe leading outside, only what may be a pipe finishing inside the structure. Fumes! To the right is a riveted steel pressurized container. Is it for fuel? Then behind that is a bicycle. Who is willing to identify the maker of it? As for the trailer, the wheels are wide and with three rivets to the spokes, suggest a heavier trailer form. I can't read any manufacturers name on the hub, but would suggest a Foster product, as there is only a single steel rim to which the spokes are attached. A great photo. Doug

I have PM David regards the Leyland box. Aside from the cost of a container, its the problems then at this end gaining clearance through quarantine procedures. Old timber would require fumigation than to find how much needs replacing. David is going to forward measurements of the box. I suggest to him he retains it as a mobile workshop trailer as used early in the war and tow it behind the steam roller. As for the Thornycroft diff I too require at least two more for projects here. The concept of using an industrial gear as a replacement interests me. The RAF Leyland is complete mechanically, however the motor is in poor condition. Another engine has now been found to go in to the chassis. The chassis numbers put the truck as one supplied to the WD. My son has the Leyland collection, I have the Thornycrofts. Then there are all the other odd vehicles. Doug

I think there will be plenty of Brits keen to see the w/shop stay here though. The other option is to send the Leland RAF to England; install the body, attend a few rallies then repatriate the complete vehicle it back to NZ. Doug

One has to assume this was originally collected to become a galley for behind a traction engine or roller. The chassis would appear to be from a light weight Vulcan.The Diff shape and spring mounts match to one known in NZ. Bearing cap being tapered also provides a further clue. AEC and Dennis had similar spoke pattern as a Y, however the spokes tend to be thiner, without the additional web. As for the workshop body, there is a RAF Leyland ( 1916) here waiting for a body to be build upon it. It would be temping to have it freighted over , but then getting old timber through quarantine at this end would become a nightmare. Would not say no to all the steel fittings for it. Doug

Then after all the additions an input from others the original poster comes back to say it was not the bulb faulty after all. Replacing the batteries in the torch made it work again! Doug

Do you have any more photos of this? Interested to know what engine is in this . For 1927 I assume a Ricardo head 36/40 hp engine and the tyres being 24". Doug

Having the radiator there does help. When it's only a pile of parts and and or a chassis that it takes time to put a manufacturers name to an object. Doug

Try Pagefield. a small supplier of trucks to the W.D.

Regards the Holt tractor fuel consumption, that is in totally different grouping of vehicles to the truck listing. The engine size at 75 hp is approximately double to that of the trucks listed. The use of tracks, low gearing, and there fore speed it is designed to be slow with the ability to traverse rough ground and tow the designated load. In providing enough fuel to undertake the task required, at 2 mph a 50 gallon tank of fuel would need to be refilled every two and a half hours. (100 yards to the gallon equals 17.6 gallons to the mile!!) Still an exercise in planning the movements and the use of such a tractor. A separate supply column to bring forward enough fuel for just for one Holt in use. Doug

Engine ID'd so what is the chassis? Dumb irons very short and bolted to underside of the chassis rails. Spokes look square. what chassis used a Dorman engine? Then again may be a posed photo and mismatched items. Doug