Mark Ellis

Just updated the original post, and the list of wanted files. I've been working on this for two years now. Many files have now been declassified by MOD, but I'm still looking for some if anyone has an original or good quality copy. Thanks

Just uploaded a smaller version in to the original post, of 28Mb

I do try to scan PDFs small enough to email, as I've been sending stolly files to Abbey Wood for declassification. But didn't want to lose the quality of this rare catalogue. I'll see if the editor can reduce the file down to 100x100, as I don't have the original here any more

I've been with Vodafone phone for a number of years. Was with Three and inside the 4 bars indoor signal area. Then everyone got tablets and smart phones, and I was outside and struggling. Changed to Vodafone mobile broadband and it was good for a couple of years, and then they built 500 houses and it plummeted. They've struggled to find the poor signal issue twice in the past 5 years. The last one being upload speed of 0.01 mbps, but 80, 160 and 240 metres down the road was a strong signal of 30 mbps upload. Vodafone kept trying to give me free to install Vodafone Home Broadband, which comes down a phone line. Perhaps that's worth investigating after putting up with a few months of bad signal 😂

Thanks. Updated the original post

Thanks. Updated the original post

Are you still on dial-up Clive? Because if you are then perhaps it's time to upgrade. I use mobile broadband from Vodafone for my internet. Happily uploads and downloads large files when it's working. Vodafone broadband is getting cheaper every year. And they now offer unlimited downloads. But if you open the link, it opens the file at Google drive rather than downloading it all

Hi, Clive. As I say, "I think" - but I really don't know. Michael thinks it's 64, but I think from the Stolly 2 being in production then it has to be at least late 66. Sadly the front cover is missing. When was the exhibition in 66, and where?

Thought members might like this. With thanks to Michael Green, ex REME who had a spell with FVRDE in the sixties. I'm informed that this catalogue of British military toys is from 1966, the Chertsey exhibition opened 29th September 1966. The Land Rover Mk 2 Lightweight is in development, the Bedford MK is referred to as RKs, and the Mk 2 Stolly is there, but only reference the Arty limber as a footnote - page 188 (198 in the pdf) The file is 28Mb. Just edited to upload a smaller version F-V-R-D-E-Catalogue-Facebook-optimised.pdf

That came up for sale recently. I tried to get a scan of it for the HMLC Facebook group, but no luck Still looking for the CES lists, and would like to scan V644 / 1 as A4 so it's more user friendly - if anyone has those

Which book or magazine is this article about the Cummings in?

Wondering if any ex vet has any experience or photos of Stalwarts used in British Army service other than BAOR or UK. I know that two went to Thailand for Operation Mudlark trials, and one of those saw time in Belize. So wonder if anyone has any photos or information please

I'll look in to that. Because 94ET45 is parked outside Leconfield, I wonder if it's still all classed as restricted - despite most of it being on eBay - well, scans of scans anyway

Thanks, I forgot the CES as well. I take it the P 400-409 is the EMER code

Hi, I'm searching for good PDFs or original manuals and handbooks for the HMLC Stalwart, to share on the Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alvis.HMLC.6.x.6.Stalwart/ I'm happy to scan any original manual to convert it to PDF, and post them back to anyone kind enough to post originals. I've been working on this for two years now. I have compiled and MOD have declassified quite a few files now. If you have originals of anything marked as red or orange in the list, then I would really appreciate your loaning them to me

Just wondered if you've found those photos yet, antar? Many thanks

Just wondered if you've found that video yet, Paul? Would love to see it - and any photos you have of the mentioned trials. thanks

thanks, Clive So what's the details of the FV 8127? Make, etc?

Adam, do you have a photo of the FV number on this trailer? thanks

Wonder if anyone can point me to any information on 2 wheel GS trailer type FV 8128 thanks

Just wondered if anyone could tell me the length, width and height of the canvas and of the superstructure of the RB44? Looks to be almost as wide as a Marshall's Bedford body

I have a friend who did his National Service with the Royal Engineers in Germany, between 1953 and 55. He's 80 now, and wonders where his old Scammel 78 RE 91 ended up? Roy was in RHQ MT of 37 Army Engineer Regiment, RE. They were in Winkelhausen Kaserne / Roberts Barracks, in Osnabruck. Any info on this truck would be greatly appreciated. I've had a look, and RLC do have a Key card No 2 for the vehicle - but wondered if anyone else knew anything on this Scammell? Thanks

We received MJ GS wagons when our 6 MK Winch Wagons went back to RAOC in 82 and 83. I think you'll find that the MJ started with the H registration letters - HG, etc. I was Royal Engineers in Germany, so we got the new GS kit after UK units and Infantry. You'll have to ask some ex RAOC about allocation priority Just reading your description of the MK verse the MJ The change was more than just the engine. The MJ has the steel cat walk on the roof to stop the roof collapsing in when walking on it to apply the cam net. The collapsing in and pushing out again made the metal crack and leak. It also had the solid cupola lid compared to the canvas one. The Marshalls body is also different. The MK had the capability to strip and store the canvas and superstructure on the vehicle without taking up any space in the loadbed, but the stowage was not fitted to the MJ. The Mk has shoes at the front of the bulk head to sit the center and rear superstructure hoops into. These shoes are in groves and had a chain, and could be lifted out for some reason. They made a great step for accessing the load bed from the cab when driving drop side and flatbed MKs.Straps half way up the bulkhead secured the hoops when stored. The MK body also has a long stowage bin above the fuel tank, jerry can and oil can holders. This long shallow bin is for the longitudinal bars of the canopy superstructure. This is why the GS G10 toolkit included the flat head screwdriver and spanner The MK body also has more of the square stowage bins fitted to the vehicle, as these are for the stowage of the canopy's canvas sheets. The need to strip down and store the canvas and superstructure was due to changing rolls in the field. I guess the MOD decided that the need no longer existed when they purchased the next batch of 4 tonners, so removed the stowage to save money. The MJ has a beam underneath the body to replace the long stowage box. 00 FJ 53 is an MK With Winch, or MK WW for short. The winch wagons had an extra bin for storing the ground anchors and strops - two bins in front of the rear wheel instead of one. These are my own photos

I recall in the early eighties there was talk of Bedford trying to develop a 6x6 to replace the Stolly, as the amphibious requirement had gone and they wanted something easier to maintain and cheaper to run. As I recall, they couldn't get it to work as the chassis kept twisting when going over knife edges. If this vehicle is based on that experiment, (if that experiment really happened even) then the 5th wheel could be a decoy to confuse people. The alternative being development of a heavy off road towing unit to replace the Scammell Crusader. Bedford was of course killed off by Maggie Thatcher when she insisted on supporting Leyland because it had the word "British" in front of the Leyland - and we all know how that panned out with DAF and PACCAR :embarrassed:

Hi all I learnt to drive on a Bedford TK in 1980, at the Royal Engineers Driver Training facility at Church Crookham. In 1981 I went to the RCT Driver Training camp at Leconfield, where I took my class 2 on a Foden 8x4 LMLC with the 4 man crew cab, and then completed the HMLC course. Makes of vehicles driven whilst in the RE included; Ford, British Leyland, Bedford, Foden, Alvis, Aveling Barford, and a Danish Army Mercedes for 2 minutes. If anyone has photos of the 4 man cab LMLC then please drop me a line. Photo of the TK outside my parents house in Weymouth on one of our jaunts to the sea side