British WWII 180 gallon water bowser restoration

[Duson]

Decided to share my water bowser restoration project. It has been a while since I bought it in the UK from this forum's well known 180 gallon bowser guru 🙂 These pictures taken by Ian show the state he found it in on a farm and when picked up. The bowser was of course missing all the scarce bits like pumps and stellar filters and also all the bits that make the restoration easier, like fenders, support legs, the rear accessory frame etc. But at least I was able to buy a decent hitch with it and another wheel to replace one that was beyond repair. The period picture shows how it should look like once finished. All the data plates were missing so it is hard to say which year it was made and what producer, but from the distance of the holes where the chassis plate should be attached, I quess it must have been a smaller 15cwt plate like on the last picture rather then a large AC data plate (what company is R.T. Ltd anybody?)

 

[Duson]

These pictures show how it arrived at my mate's place where it was stipped down and the chassis sandblasted and primed with a special primer that allows futher welding. The structure was rotted away in some places so new profiles had to be made and the bad sections replaced.

[Duson]

To take off the hubs was not an easy task but was accomplished finally and the axle restored. New back drum plates and one brake pad made. Then there was a loooong pause as I moved away, building a new workshop in the meantime.

[Duson]

And just before this Christmas the restoration came to life again. In new place started with finishing the chassis.

[B series]

 

Nice work so far, I am sure it will be a fine trailer when finished.

Regarding RT Ltd  that could refer to either Reliance (Trailers) or Reynolds (Trailers) Ltd, both companies produced 2 wheeled trailer chassis in the 10 Cwt & 15 Cwt range for the British army during WWII.   I think the 180 Gallon tank was produced by Fisher Ludlow in Castle Bromwich. Fisher Ludlow produced car bodies and other components for the automotive industry and post war were absorbed into British Leyland.

[Le Prof]

Hi, All.

I can confirm that RT was Reliance Trucks Ltd.

I have (somewhere!) the data plate for a 10cwt trailer photographed below.

@Gavin Redshaw is from the family that owned and ran the business, and will be interested to see the plate you have illustrated.

Best Regards,

Adrian

[Duson]

1 hour ago, Le Prof said:

Hi, All.

I can confirm that RT was Reliance Trucks Ltd.

I have (somewhere!) the data plate for a 10cwt trailer photographed below.

@Gavin Redshaw is from the family that owned and ran the business, and will be interested to see the plate you have illustrated.

Best Regards,

Adrian

Great, thanks for the information. Just to make clear, the plate is not mine, picture taken from Ian L post and was on one of the other bowsers he found and saved. I just assume the same plate was fitted on mine as the hole distance is as short as this plate on my chassis. Another producer the AC Cars Ltd, had much bigger plate about double that size, with round sides.

If anybody has any WWII plate for 15cwt 2-wheeled undercarridge, I would be interested.

[Duson]

Got the brake pads relined today. The hitch lining is a bit of a problem as standard modern material breaks due to small diameter, and the woven one is produced not thinner than 5mm. But found a company that will try to grind it off, glue + rivet and bend in an owen. I hope that works fine.

[Duson]

One of the wheels was a bit bitten off by rust and the edge very thin at one place so I had to do some welding and grinding to make it stronger. Still needs some tiding up.