1916 RFC Crossley Tender restoration

[Great War truck]

As most of you will already know we have acquired another vehicle from the Great War. This is a Crossley Tender from 1916 which was built for the Royal Flying Corps. We were not planning on buying any more restoration projects but as our friend Adrian said – if you want a Crossley Tender this will be your only chance. Well we have always wanted one, but with only about nine survivors world wide they don’t come up for sale very often. This one came up at Brightwells (thanks for the tip off) and we had to have a good look at it and then placed a bid which after some last minute excitement was successful.

We don’t know much about it other than it was believed to have been purchased back by Crossley at the end of the war, then reconditioned for a private sale. What is there appears to be very original although missing some parts. It came out of a scrap yard in 1981 and has changed hands a couple of times since then. We do need to focus on the Peerless but once that is completed here is the next project. In the meantime we can start looking out for parts and gathering information.

[Great War truck]

The engine appeared to be in good condition, but was stuck. The absence of any damage to the valve caps suggest that it has never been apart and quite probably never run which is good news. It had the correct Smith and Sons carb on it as well.

[Great War truck]

The radiator is a little battered but will certainly live to fight another day. It all provides a bit of personality to it. It was unfortunately missing the radiator badge.

[Great War truck]

However, this was not a problem. While at the Beaulieu autojumble we spoke to a company who make replacement badges and as they had made one previously for a Crossley we commissioned them to make a replacement. Quite remarkably, (and relying on another heads up from a friend) two Crossley radiator badges were currently in an auction just seven miles from home. They were a little damaged (probably from being in a cardboard box with lots of other badges) but I had to buy them. I am not sure if the one without the name is a later or an earlier example. Someone will know.  Here are all three for a comparison. 

Edited March 29, 2024 by Great War truck

[Great War truck]

We think there are nine RFC survivors, the one at Hendon perhaps being the best know. My understanding is that after having been fully restored it has been designated never to run again, which is a bit of a shame, but that is museums for you.  

[Great War truck]

Forum member Tom Fryar has another which frequently makes long expeditions.   Here at Shuttleworth.

[Great War truck]

It has a fair turn of speed:

 

[Great War truck]

On collection and on its way to temporary storage until we can make room for it. 

[8_10 Brass Cleaner]

What a super buy. Basically the best pickup money can buy.

Last time I saw one, other than Toms, was in Mike Sutcliffes garden - in the lorry body buried in shite. Do I remember the radiator in the house?.  

[Great War truck]

Yes, you are quite right. The chassis was in a container in the garden and the beautiful radiator was in the downstairs hallway.  

[flandersflyer]

Good 

☹️

Edited April 1, 2024 by flandersflyer

[RAFMT]

On 3/29/2024 at 8:28 AM, Great War truck said:

My understanding is that after having been fully restored it has been designated never to run again, which is a bit of a shame, but that is museums for you.  

She actually can, and did, run after restoration. She went to the Carmen's Cart Marking ceremony after restoration, as well as attending a number of other functions around the WW1 centenary.

Unfortunately the management of the museum upset the team of volunteers responsible for all of the vehicles (some of whom were on this forum), and the team walked out. So there is nobody left there with the knowledge or inclination to run it.

[Great War truck]

Thanks for clarifying that. What happened to the RAF Leyland that was bought by Hendon? Was any restoration work started on it?

 

 

[rewdco]

Just discovered these photographs on Stilltime:

[mammoth]

Line-up of the trucks looks like it may possibly be during one of the WD trials (pre-war)

[nz2]

 Enlarging the photo shows the lorries all appear to be Leyland's based on the holes along the front chassis cross member.  Both Crossley and Leyland were the major suppliers to the RFC, so this photo could well be a training exercise or similar. Some of the lorries are each towing  a high sided trailer , while other lorries have a box body with a curved metal roof ( or stretched and painted  canvas roof). The combination of the two body types  being folding canvas and the rigid covering makes an interesting contrast .

 Doug

[welbike]

Just got this one from FB, 3 P&M's with a Crossley in the background. What could the lettering have read? Presumably the registration number?
 

Cheers, 
 

Lex 

Edited May 18, 2024 by welbike
additional info

[welbike]

And another one!  Indian Powerplus on the left, and P&M on the right.

Lex

Edited May 18, 2024 by welbike
additional info

[Great War truck]

Great photos which i had not seen before. Some vehicles on home service were assigned licence numbers but as the end of the war approached this became mandatory

AJ 3067 was issued by North Riding Yorkshire.

The other one which looks like it begins AW was from Salop  

[Old Bill]

We went to the Spring Autojumble at Beaulieu yesterday and had a good day. We saw this but didn't buy it:

I don't know if we have one or need one but I did take the chap's card. Then the find of the day!

This is a rare animal but just what we wanted so it was worth the trip!

We only have front wheels and they have a rim size for a tyre no longer made so they will need some attention. We found a wire wheel man to talk to and he was most helpful. He has rather fired my enthusiasm to get on with the job so I thought it time to get a grip of the rears and spare. Unfortunately we are short of two wheel centres which look like this:

I would therefore like to ask if anyone can lay their hands on two-off Rudge Whitworth number 80 splined wheel centres please? Number 80 is quite big with a 4" diameter spline which is 4 1/2" long. I could make them but I don't want to and I think there is a good chance that we can find a pair. They will require twin rims for 880x120mm beaded edge tyres but that is a problem we can solve.

We could do with a pair of spinners too but I could make them if I have to.

Must finish the Peerless first but it would be nice to have the bits in stock ready for when we start the job in earnest.

Steve   🙂

 

[Rootes75]

We went to Beaulieu in the sunshine yesterday. I find very little there these days for our vehicles but we hunt mainly for wartime tools. And we found a few bargains yesterday as a result.

[Runflat]

Steve, I'm not sure I'd use second hand wheel centres - the likelihood of the splines being worn must be high. Ditto for the hubs.  For peace of mind replace them.

You don't say who you met - I saw this company on line Richards Bros Wire Wheels (richards-bros.com)

Nice gauge by the way 🙂

Edited May 20, 2024 by Runflat

[Old Bill]

Thanks Alan. They could be OK but I would need to inspect them closely if any turn up.

I spoke to a chap called Mouat but I am aware of Richards Bros. I see that they advertise that they can do new centres so it is getting to be time to give them a call. This is going to be the most expensive part of the whole job!

Steve 🙂

[Charawacky]

Its a long road, first restore your Crossley Tender, then build a recovery Trailer followed by a Fokker D.V11.

See here at the 2024 Yorkshire Wartime Experience (the colour image)

[Old Bill]

You're winding me up now! I desperately want to get stuck into the job but must do one job at a time. The Peerless is so close that we must finish it first. Then we will have another toy to play with.  It is getting close though and we are busily collecting data.

Very soon!

Steve     😉