Mark Ellis

On 6/21/2022 at 11:11 PM, fv1609 said:

Mark it is too big a file for me to download as I have no broadband. But are you sure it is from 1968? I am not aware that there was an exhibition in 1968, from the points you mention they seem to tie in with the 1966 exhibition.

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

3 hours ago, fv1609 said:

...

So I dread someone sending me a large attachment because it can block all other emails until it has eventually downloaded.

...

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

2 hours ago, fv1609 said:

...

Dial up? No sometimes I wish I had it as my connection is sometimes slower. There is no broadband, the phone line is not great we are literally the last phone at the end of the line & there is no mobile phone coverage.

Vodaphone shows my location has limited 2G outdoor coverage & that's it. However I have an EE antenna on the roof that is aimed at a hill behind which is another hill behind which is an EE mast to fill the coverage of a dead spot. Unfortunately my dead spot has only 3 dwellings in the postcode, so we are not a priority.

I dread to think what will happen when BT/Openreach start their programme of dismantling telephone cables. Causing lots of problems in other parts of Wales.

I am communicating now (I hope) through an EE roof antenna but this is dependant on RF propagation with the weather & how many other users are watching HD TV, playing games & sending chat/pics on their social media.

So I dread someone sending me a large attachment because it can block all other emails until it has eventually downloaded.

There is no gas & no main drainage but it is a beautiful view across the valley where I can only see one house, the farm the other side of the valley. But that is the price I am happy to pay for peace & quiet  : )

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 😂

50 minutes ago, wally dugan said:

It's the 1966 catalogue with the left hand drive moke picture the preface pages in the early days were the same text and pictures the same ones appear in several  catalogues

Thanks. Updated the original post

2 hours ago, fv1609 said:

Chertsey exhibition opened 29th September 1966.

...

Thanks. Updated the original post

1 hour ago, fv1609 said:

Mark it is too big a file for me to download as I have no broadband.

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

1 hour ago, fv1609 said:

... But are you sure it is from 1968? I am not aware that there was an exhibition in 1968, from the points you mention they seem to tie in with the 1966 exhibition.

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

On 4/27/2020 at 2:01 PM, fv1609 said:

Here's another one for the list:

RAC Equipment Trials Wing. FV431/Stalwart Comparative Trial Interim Report No.1. July 1964

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

On 9/26/2010 at 8:11 PM, Amphibi boy said:

Thanks N.O.S i think it will be the 6bt then as you can see the turbo in the picture!

 

its a nice conversion, thats like what i will do.

i have seen a stolly with a perkins in it, (like the ones budge did, when trying to revive the stolly's for service)

 

thanks

 

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

 

2 minutes ago, andym said:

Mark - I have several of these already PDF'd but remember that strictly speaking they are still classified and therefore subject to the Official Secrets Act.  That may seem silly, but it's fact unless someone can get MOD to agree they are no longer classified.

Andy

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

3 hours ago, fv1609 said:

Another one:

EMER COMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATIONS P 400-409 Clansman, net radio installation, HMLC, Stawart Mk 2

 

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

It is genuine, I have photos of it from where it was sold. But I am away at the moment so cannot scan them. ...

 

It has a very complicated transfer/drop box arrangement. From what I recall there was a standard transfer box driving the front and rear prop shafts as on a normal TM 4X4 but mounted to the front of the rear axle was another purpose made transfer box which took drive towards the front to the middle axle. It was also steered on the middle axle as well through a mechanical linkage. Would perhaps have been produced as a potential replacement for Stalwart but clearly without amphibious capability.

 

Will search for the pictures when back home.

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

...

 

I have a VHS video somewhere of a run-off between a stalwart and the big wheeler taken down at Hurn - on a big muddy swamp area the Bedford gets through whilst the stalwart fails. The big wheeler was surprisingly good to drive too, whilst the 6 wheeler was horrible.

...

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?

It has been repainted Olive Drab, one of the many original shades i found when grinding it down.

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