CRSCRS Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Morning all I have a few Martian questions. Is the Martian gearbox used in anything else or was it built solely for the Martian ? Is the Martian aux gearbox used in anything else or was that made just for the Martian ? Where can I find some workshop / users / parts manuals from ? And lastly what were the production years of the various models ? Thanks in advance, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scurvey Knave Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Morning all I have a few Martian questions.Is the Martian gearbox used in anything else or was it built solely for the Martian ? Is the Martian aux gearbox used in anything else or was that made just for the Martian ? Where can I find some workshop / users / parts manuals from ? And lastly what were the production years of the various models ? Thanks in advance, Chris. Hi Chris, I can't answer your question, but I wish I knew how valuable these items would become - I happened to be in potential possession of a spare pair of gearboxes on the day that this picture was taken! Royal Artillery Gun Tractor Martian 45BM41 and Martian Recovery 37BS56. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 (edited) Chris, to the best of my knowledge the rear axle, transfer and front axle were unique to Martian, I have never seen them on any other vehicle. I believe the gearbox was a mainstream Leyland product. The winch on non recovery variants was the same vertical spindle device fitted to the likes of Explorer and Constructor while the steering system was designed by a certain H. Robinson. They were taken out of service twice for modifications to the clutch and power steering. The first production ones appeared in 1952/3 and there are suggestions that some were built as late as 1964 but I do know that some were supplied as chassis cabs and stored pending a decision as to what variant would be required. The crew cabs were made by Mann Egerton and Park Royal Vehicles while the others had bodies by Marshall of Cambridge. Although several variants were planned only five went into production, short and long cargo, crew cab artillery tractor, heavy recovery and a howitzer tractor which looked like a short cargo but with a tilt reduced to the height of the cab roof. Do you have one or might you be looking for one? Literature is in short supply but occasionally crops up on ebay and Milweb. Edited January 30, 2017 by radiomike7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRSCRS Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 Thanks for the replies, and RadioMike I am just waiting for the right one to come up - been looking a good while now, just trying to gather more info which is always helpful, cheers Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 The gearbox too was Martian specific. There are some manuals listed on ebay, or just check out green machine surplus website, and if still around vintage mv manuals. Are you after a certain type of Martian? Dave Crouch had an FV1103 advertised a while back. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRSCRS Posted January 31, 2017 Author Share Posted January 31, 2017 The gearbox too was Martian specific. There are some manuals listed on ebay, or just check out green machine surplus website, and if still around vintage mv manuals. Are you after a certain type of Martian? Dave Crouch had an FV1103 advertised a while back. Simon Cheers Simon still looking for a nice recovery model, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X6ltr Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) Hi Chris i have a leyland martian heavy recovery and have all the manuals if you get stuck and need any info i could scan some off mine also mine will be at the great dorset steam fair along with my others, i was told that one was crushed recently at a scrap yard and was complete which was a crying shame Hope this helps thanks Lee Edited February 5, 2017 by X6ltr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRSCRS Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 Hi Chris i have a leyland martian heavy recovery and have all the manuals if you get stuck and need any info i could scan some off mine also mine will be at the great dorset steam fair along with my others, i was told that one was crushed recently at a scrap yard and was complete which was a crying shameHope this helps thanks Lee Thanks Lee for the offer, I am going to try and get to Dorset this year work permitting. You are right too much good stuff is still getting scrapped Cheers Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 DC has an artillery tractor for sale on Milweb. http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/view_large.php?ad=84650&cat=4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRSCRS Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 DC has an artillery tractor for sale on Milweb. http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/view_large.php?ad=84650&cat=4 Thanks Mike I'm onto it Cheers Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Thanks Mike I'm onto it Cheers Chris. In case you hadn't noticed: http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/view_large.php?ad=84730&cat=4 I think this might be the one from the 'museum' in the north east but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRSCRS Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 In case you hadn't noticed: http://www.milweb.net/classifieds/view_large.php?ad=84730&cat=4 I think this might be the one from the 'museum' in the north east but I could be wrong. Thanks Mike, I have spoken with Dave Crouch and am hopefully going to view this weekend ! Cheers Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Looks like he has two Martians up for grabs - the other is a rarer artillery tractor. Wonder why both have no engine?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Looks like he has two Martians up for grabs - the other is a rarer artillery tractor. Wonder why both have no engine?? These engines have become quite sought after by the replica Rolls Royce and Bentley fraternity they could have gone in that direction for quite strong money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attleej Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Dear All, I bought a gun tractor from Ruddington in 1983 for about £400 and it had no engine and none of the others did either! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashcollection Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 These engines have become quite sought after by the replica Rolls Royce and Bentley fraternity they could have gone in that direction for quite strong money. when I had lots of them I'm afraid to say that's where mine went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Dear All, I bought a gun tractor from Ruddington in 1983 for about £400 and it had no engine and none of the others did either! John Ah yes John, but that was because the MOD were short of B series petrol engine parts back then, (I think for the Pigs and Saracens in NI). There were rows of Martian Artillery Tractors at Jacksons all missing the engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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