AndyFowler Posted June 6, 2015 Posted June 6, 2015 Fantastic ! Any history relating to this Hippo please ? Have you just found the winch ? Of course loads of pics would be appreciated ! :-) Sadly the youtube video of a convoy of these at operation Grapple on Christmas Island has been removed by CH4 for copyright infringement ! Quote
eddiep Posted June 6, 2015 Author Posted June 6, 2015 It was ex RAF cardington I brought this and the winch last year but had to wait for better weather to retrieve the winch from a field this was the original winch for this but was removed by RAF mounted on a shipping pallet and used in gulf hence the sand colour Quote
spanter Posted June 6, 2015 Posted June 6, 2015 Fantastic, great to see a balloon truck getting the attention it deserves, my grandmother and great aunt used to assemble the balloons at Cardington in Bedfordshire. Steve Quote
Gordon_M Posted June 6, 2015 Posted June 6, 2015 ...and used in gulf... I can't be the only one thinking whatever for? Balloons,so twentieth century, or was it being used for comms or the like? Quote
eddiep Posted June 6, 2015 Author Posted June 6, 2015 Was told when I brought it that they had that much trouble with comms they dropped this out the back of a herc sent a radio up with balloon and used it to bounce signal off Quote
Gordon_M Posted June 6, 2015 Posted June 6, 2015 Thanks, thought it had to be something like that. Quote
Richard Farrant Posted June 6, 2015 Posted June 6, 2015 I can't be the only one thinking whatever for? Balloons,so twentieth century, or was it being used for comms or the like? Balloons for communication links are very much 21st century technology now, mind you not low level ones tethered to a winch. I know this is getting sidetracked but interesting all the same; https://plus.google.com/+ProjectLoon/about Great to see the Leyland all complete now, what engine powers the winch? regards, Richard Quote
eddiep Posted June 6, 2015 Author Posted June 6, 2015 Winch is powered by ford 6d engine I just have to fit the diesel tank for winch then we will try running it Quote
Bill Brookes Posted October 28, 2024 Posted October 28, 2024 I believe this Hippo may have previously been a tractor unit for RAF Thor missiles based in the UK 1959-63 and would like to get in touch with the current owner. The IWM photo shows a Hippo with a Thor missile on its Launch/Erector Trailer. 1 Quote
ted angus Posted October 29, 2024 Posted October 29, 2024 Bob i have established the balloon winches were chassis that originally carried mobile radars, see hinges below windscreen to reduce cab height during operational use. Be in touch by e mail shortly, using my tablet at the moment. Regards Ted Quote
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