RAF Fuel Bowser needs saving (WW2?)

[Maverick]

I viewed HMVF on my first visit as a passive observer (I thought) but on seeing all those months ago your 'Brockhouse in need' thread i thought i had to inquire regarding whether it had gone to the scrap heap. Due to the thread not being active at that time for many months, i though the bowser would have reached it's end. Thanks Maverick for travelling to see whether the bowser was still in existence.

The tank is a bit dented here and there but fine otherwise and got a few gallons of farming diesel remaining in it indicating no tank rust holes, so i think i will be using it (In the longer term) for that very use: diesel storage. At the same time i would like to restore/improve it's condition and get it road worthy if possibly (The vacuum breaking system looks a challenge).

Thanks again,

Nick

 

I'm just glad i could find someone who wanted to save it and actualy see it being saved before the scrapman got his cutting torch on it.

 

This is what this forum should be about, sharing knowledge and saving the past for the future.

 

Please keep me informed of the restoration.

 

Regards

[MHillyard]

Nice to see that it has been recovered

[Masseyboy89]

Great to see it survive the Scrap men - High prices are seeing off too many hedgerow treasures!

 

Simon.

[listerdiesel]

I couldn't raise the Lady at the farm until today, she was OK with the general idea about it going into preservation, but wants to talk to others involved in the Staughton Control Tower refurb, in case it might be relevant to that and therefore it would be retained by them.

 

I have arranged to call her again in 2 weeks.

 

Peter

[NWCB.]

Peter, The contents of your message are okay with me. If it is wanted up on the Little Staughton airfield that is probably where it should go and of course in that case will in due course do so; if it is not wanted up there, i am pretty sure it's future can be secured. Thanks again for your efforts. Nick

[Runflat]

Post #18

Here is another one that survives!

 

I see this one is up for sale in Classic & Vintage Commercials mag (Nov 2011 edition).

[jpg1982]

There is one of these fuel bowsers located at Manby Motorplex. It still has its brass pump and looks mostly intact if a little rough. Unfortunately it is due to be scrapped in the next week or so, as the boss is having a huge tidy up. 4 alvis stalwarts, a tatra kolos 813, 3 fv432 and a high defence mobility trailer (later model with hydraulic suspension) have already been scrapped:mad:

[NWCB.]

This sounds bad !

A WWII Brockhouse Fuel/Oil Bowser should not go to the breakers yard.

You advise that it has it's pump at the one end: do you know whether it still has it's Lister stationary engine up the other ?

From looking at your Profile jpg1982 it appears that you are a "Maintenance Technician and an Instructor" at the Manby Motorplex. Could this mean that there may be the possibility of a photo or two to see the endangered historical bowser or would that be difficult ? Also please might you be able to advise of the name of the person to telephone at the Motorplex to enquire after the vehicle, if that transpires to be appropriate.

I do not know whether i can do anything to help this bowser but i might be able to if it appears worthy enough and there is not too much missing, and the concern person can give some time for it's removal, and that he would not require too much monetary compensation !

[jpg1982]

I had a closer look at it today with someone who was interested in saving it. Since it was parked up parts of the pump have been stolen although the main block is still there. It does not have its engine. Most of it is intact and could be restored. It has some damaged to its side panels/mud guards and the doors would also require attention and the tyres are shot.

If it is to be sold and saved it would be at scrap value (currently £240:wow: per ton) based on it weighing 2 ton(if anyone knows the weight of one of these it may help get the price down), the price would be plus vat. That is what my boss is prepared to sell it at and we would help load it onto a suitable vehicle.

I can get some photos and i will try and get some tomorrow. It would be a shame to see it go for scrap but i can honestly see it going that way. It will be getting cut up by the middle of next week if it has not gone.

[NWCB.]

First must say, if the 'Someone who is interested in saving the bowser' can actually save it, as far as i am concerned he should make haste and try to manage the rescue as he could be in the better situation to be successful.

 

It saddens me to hear that parts of the pump have been stolen, 'cause of course where could they be replaced from when the pump is probably the rarest item of one of these bowsers, and a pump is one of the items i need for my skeletal Brockhouse bowser.

 

I have thought of a place i could temporarily store the bowser safely just outside Milton Keynes but my problem is finding a suitable vehicle to transport it at a reasonable price within the very short time apparently available.

 

I look forward to viewing the photo's, if they are managed to be taken.

Edited April 7, 2012 by NWCB.

[NWCB.]

DATA BOOK OF R.A.F. VEHICLES, (Leaf issued OCT 1948).

Brockhouse Mark 1, 4-wheeled trailer with 450 gallon oil tank. (My note: This trailer though was extensively used also as a fuel trailer).

 

OVERALL DIMENSIONS

Length: 15 ft. 6 in. (22 ft. 0 in. with draw-bar)

Width: 7 ft. 6 in.

Height: 6 ft. 9 in.

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2012 by NWCB.
Presentation

[NWCB.]

Any news re. the photo's ?

Thank's, NWCB.

[jpg1982]

Sorry not had a chance to get near it, its safe for at least another week as were concentrating on stripping the 3 centurions down ready to go on thursday I will try and get to it this week.

[NWCB.]

If i was sounding a little urgent, it was only as i was believing the bowser's demise was this week.

 

If when the photo's are posted up the bowser looks worth the expense of saving, then there is the problem of finding the suitable 'Recovery' truck for the journey from Manby Lincolnshire to near Milton Keynes: it will need to be a HGV Beaver-tail or HGV Tilt-and-Slide (They are business enough and wider then the bowser's 7"6' width).

I have used www.shiply.com before which are quite good transport finders but the process takes a while.

Also i have the details of a chap and Recovery truck but he is only available some of the time: i will contact him to see when he is around next.

Other than these let's hope an HMVF member with a truck is out there reading this and happy to assist for a reasonable figure.

 

When you take the photo's if you manage to do so, will you please if possible take one of the pump so i and anybody else can see how much of the pump has been stolen: 'cause that is a big determining factor.

Thanks

Edited April 3, 2012 by NWCB.
Putting my Thanks on the end.

[NWCB.]

Sorry one other matter i thought of is, when you next see the bowser would you please try and see whether the drawbar is bent/distorted any or should i say how much 'cause most are and if the drawbar is straight that would also be a big deciding factor. There is quite a number of these Brockhouse chassis up and down the country having been used on farms etc and it appears the drawbars get hit by the farm tractor wheels and consequently get deformed. I expect once distorted they are near impossible to straightened due to their size and strenght

Thanks again whether you manage to or not.

[Runflat]

Off subject - sorry - but there is another interesting airfield trailer for sale at the moment: http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=61565&cat=7

[Nudge]

How long is the bowser able to stay (safely) at Manby if NWCB wants it ?

[NWCB.]

 

Off subject - sorry - but there is another interesting airfield trailer for sale at the moment: http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/large_image.php?ad=61565&cat=7

I also saw advertised the 'Airfield Trailer Lamp with Engine' and thought how interesting it is, so i happened to enquire after it: although still at the vendor's premises i am advised that it has been sold to a museum. Edited April 7, 2012 by NWCB.

[NWCB.]

Sorry not had a chance to get near it, its safe for at least another week as were concentrating on stripping the 3 centurions down ready to go on thursday I will try and get to it this week.

 

Are there any updates please ? Is the situation now that the worst has happened and that there is no hope for the trailer ?

[Ian L]

Are you aware that there are 4 more come up for sale ? 3 are being sold by a seller on ebay at £150 starting bid & 1 more on milweb, they look more complete & better condition than the one you are chasing at Mamby.

This is a link I started a few days ago on this Forum http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?31068-3-WW2-RAF-Fuel-Bowsers

[jpg1982]

Sorry for the lack of updates on the bowser at Manby I have been very busy. It is still there at the moment, as to its condition its may not be complete but it is far better than the one on milweb! The 3 that are on ebay do look to be in good shape though. Hopefully it will be saved even if it is just used for parts for others.

[Smithy]

Noticed that there was one of these Bowser's at Elvington behind one of the shed's last weekend:

 

 

[Smithy]

Is this another we can add to the list that have survived (for now):

 

http://www.milweb.net/webverts/61889/

[Runflat]

I also saw advertised the 'Airfield Trailer Lamp with Engine' and thought how interesting it is, so i happened to enquire after it: although still at the vendor's premises i am advised that it has been sold to a museum.

 

That's good to hear. By way of interest, I've just stumbled across the photo of one in use (Albion AM463 ambulance in the background).

 

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/MEC0772

[russell sprout]

I'm just restoring one of these trailers at the moment but the tyres are perished. Could anyone kindly help locate some 1050/13 tyres that would be suitable please?