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Scammell Explorer Gallery


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Some people don't know when they're well off! At least Daisy was a runner....

 

Sadly will remain spares only. An early Explorer, chassis no.7295, reg 01 BD 28.

 

This was last year where it had resided for the last 7 years, having pulled it 100 yards from the hedge on the A21, where it had sat in equally healthy brambles for the previous ten years. With the help of a low loader a Unimog and my running Explorer it now resides in my own field, and will probably grow another crop of brambles, unless I win the lottery in which case who knows?

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I guess so, but she's supplied parts to a number of other Explorers to keep them going, or supply missing parts, and there's still a lot there. The only really important part I wish was still there is the steering box as it's a bit difficult to move about the field, and would be hard to find for the re-build!

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I guess so, but she's supplied parts to a number of other Explorers to keep them going, or supply missing parts, and there's still a lot there. The only really important part I wish was still there is the steering box as it's a bit difficult to move about the field, and would be hard to find for the re-build!

 

Hi Jules, I think you'll find the left rear hub will be heavily scored inside the taper as it came loose and fell off another Explorer, it was put on that one to replace the just to keep it mobile.

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Hi Bernard,

 

Fortunately I already knew bits have been swapped off it. The n/s drive gear from the rear axle diff, which is in the final drive housing, has various teeth broken or missing! The crane boom has been gone for years. Amos managed to come down and remove the gearbox and radiator, although I might need the box for PSY 974 as she's getting a bit noisy! The axles are mostly complete, and I might have to use the rear axle heat exchanger for mine as I think my outer casing is split, and it's dripping daily on the workshop floor!

 

If you want to look at my hubs for a better seal, feel free.

 

Jules

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Thanks Jules, I have knifed a flat surface to the seal with RTV and used only grease for the run to Beltring, so the seal will hold up OK as it only leaked when I topped up the swivel housing oil.

 

May have a look later as that type of seal was supposed to be used up to Chassis no 8062. Strangely mine is Chassis no 8642, but nothing is to the book on the six in my contract.

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Sadly will remain spares only. An early Explorer, chassis no.7295, reg 01 BD 28. QUOTE

 

Thank you for posting these Explorer 'photos. I always think that when you see restored vehicles at a show it's very easy to forget just how old they really are. Seeing a lorry that has been out in the open for a number of years, as this one has, gives you a much better impression of how much time has past since vehicles like this were in service and also how remarkable it is that any have survived at all.

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I've dug out a few more photos of the "spare Explorer" to help fill in some of the missing bits. I will try to get more on its history to explain the fall from glory.

 

The first couple of pics are from about 8 years ago when in the hedge on the A21. Followed by one of it recovered to the resting place in the previous posted pictures (about 100 yards away!). The intention was to suspend tow it to home, but circumstances changed, and it took another 7 years to recover it to the new home/ resting place, where we re-united her with the rear body (July 07).

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Thanks Andy. That about all the pics I have of that one, so I've started gathering the pictures of the other two to give their histories over the last few years. I could almost post mine as a restoration blog.

 

I should have taken more photos as I built it up, but the last thing on ones mind when in the thick of it is to take photos. The hands are covered in grease, or the sand has got to places that takes ones mind off everything other than a hot shower and a cold beer!!

 

My brothers one mostly is pictures of the fun to be had with an Explorer, especially towing other peoples beloved, but broken machinery.

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Fortunately Bernard I've not had to be towed in my own Scammell so far. That's not saying she hasn't had her teething problems since getting back on the road, but so far with a small toolbox, and a bit of REME ingenuity she's always arrived under her own volition!

 

I should be able to shame a few others though. Should I post them under Scammell, or under the towed vehicle category? ie Stolly, Diamond T, Humber, Matador, and a few others....

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Should I post them under Scammell, or under the towed vehicle category? ie Stolly, Diamond T, Humber, Matador, and a few others....

 

In my opinion Towing vehicle takes precedence in all cases, post it this thread! :)

 

I'm sure devotees of the vehicles in trouble will love to post broken down Explorers in their own threads. :cool2:

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Anything being towed becomes just a trailer behind a Scammell mate ! :cool2: I think this thread would be just the place to show the reason for Scammell worship ! :-D Do you have any of the Crusader/T34 incident on the way home a couple of years ago ? :bow::bow::bow:

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Some recovery photos, as promised.

 

A Diamond T run out of fuel on the A21, returning from W & P, with Rogers trailer, and Stuart tank. Didn't understand the meaning of speed until hitched to the Explorer!

 

1945 RAF Matador bought for 3000 francs from Lille, driven the first 7 miles, then towed to Calais. Repatriated, and towed the last 50 miles home for a midnight finish to the Bethune trip 1999.

 

Stolly I think again trying to get home from W & P, and I think towed Guildford direction.

 

American tank destroyer with over heating steering, helped back to the campsite in Beuvry again on a Bethune trip.

 

Enjoy!

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It felt like it too having to follow the fat backside for what felt like hundreds of miles, but probably less than 150. I seem to remember it being quite a warm day, not helped at all by the diesel exhaust fumes pouring out of the Explorers exhaust.

 

The Matador had an interesting shake on the steering early on which caught me by surprise and almost threw me across the cab! It seemed to get better as the trip went on, or I learned to catch it earlier. None of this was felt by my good friend driving the Explorer.

 

At the end of the trip: Very sore shoulders, fumey lungs, knackered, but totally satisfied!

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At the end of the trip: Very sore shoulders, fumey lungs, knackered, but totally satisfied!

 

I should think the Mat was also totally satisfied to be home again after being in France of all places....France...I still haven't forgiven the French for their behavior during the 100 years war.

 

It's always better to be the one doing the towing than the one being towed. I've had some very scary moments behind tow trucks who seem to have forgotten I was there. There's a lot to be said for A Bars.

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