Great War truck Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 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. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 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. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 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. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 (edited) 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 by Great War truck 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 Forum member Tom Fryar has another which frequently makes long expeditions. Here at Shuttleworth. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 It has a fair turn of speed: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 29 Author Share Posted March 29 On collection and on its way to temporary storage until we can make room for it. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8_10 Brass Cleaner Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 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?. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 Yes, you are quite right. The chassis was in a container in the garden and the beautiful radiator was in the downstairs hallway. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flandersflyer Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 (edited) Good ☹️ Edited April 1 by flandersflyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAFMT Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted April 15 Author Share Posted April 15 Thanks for clarifying that. What happened to the RAF Leyland that was bought by Hendon? Was any restoration work started on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rewdco Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 Just discovered these photographs on Stilltime: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammoth Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Line-up of the trucks looks like it may possibly be during one of the WD trials (pre-war) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted Saturday at 07:43 AM Share Posted Saturday at 07:43 AM (edited) 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 Saturday at 09:55 AM by welbike additional info 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted Saturday at 09:55 AM Share Posted Saturday at 09:55 AM (edited) And another one! Indian Powerplus on the left, and P&M on the right. Lex Edited Saturday at 09:56 AM by welbike additional info 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted yesterday at 07:59 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 07:59 AM 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted yesterday at 09:07 PM Share Posted yesterday at 09:07 PM 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 🙂 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted 13 hours ago Share Posted 13 hours ago 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runflat Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago (edited) 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 1 hour ago by Runflat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago 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 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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