Smithy Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 Just wondering if any of you can remember the old MV's that used to take the motor boat's out to the sea along the Blackpool seafront. I think they had their full cab's removed(I may be mistaken) and have always wondered what they were. I also think that some of them are still going strong. Hopefully some of you will have some information and/or photo's of these unusual vehicles. Quote
Degsy Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I remember them well, at one time there was a mixture of Bren Carriers and I think Bedford QL's Quote
antarmike Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 You can still buy Stollie rides at Cleethorpes! Quote
Smithy Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 I remember them well, at one time there was a mixture of Bren Carriers and I think Bedford QL's Cheers Degsy. Anybody have any more information and perhaps some pictures of these??? Quote
Degsy Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 They weren't just used for launching the boats, wooden bodies were built on them and they carried the passengers into the sea to board the boats. As kids we spent many hours on the beach and in the water helping, just to get a ride on the vehicles. Happy memories.:-D Quote
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 Got some pics but not on blackpool beach.Dukws were still operating in 2007 taking people out to boats on eastbourne beach.probably H&S killed it off now,post tomorrow.Skegness when i was a kid had dukws long ride to Gibralter point. Quote
Tony B Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 In Jersey at St Brelade's Bay there were two or more champs used for launching and pushing a rolling jetty about. at the time there was a water sking, para gliding boat operating. Quote
Willyslancs Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 My mates grandad owned the trucks and bren gun carriers on Blackpool beach, think the trucks were morrises . Remember seeing a field near where i live with bren gun carrier wheels in as a kid .The trucks just rotted away .In the early eighties there was the odd chassis left sat on the prom not far from the tower , too far gone tho really ........ Think someone on here might have one of the bren gun carriers , My dad was a kid here in the late forties and use to help "drive" a jeep for an oyster seller, i say "drive " because he was just a kid and was actually steering because the guy was always drunk!!! Quote
Brooky Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Cheers Degsy. Anybody have any more information and perhaps some pictures of these??? Not quite at Blackpool but across the bay at Southport this photo was taken a couple of years ago. The contraption is used for fishing. Any ideas what is underneath the body????? Quote
Austin Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I live in Southport and our beach (and area) has quite a history with ex military vehicles. The shrimpers are now enclosed in a sercure area, but I'll try and get some detailed pictures. We also used a modified Bedford QL as a beach bus. And the best picture I have ever found... With the two DUKWs. Some more of the DUKWs we had here in Southport... And some history.. The American D.U.K.W. did, as has been mentioned, appear on our beaches about 1948. brought here by a scrap metal merchant as a possible business idea. In 1949 an ex-Navy officer Joseph Rankin purchased some 20 vehicles from the then Thompson and Doxey export Ltd.He used them as pleasure vehicles on the beach for several years.They were not always mechanically reliable.Joe had a standby recovery vehicle incase of problems. Under the pier he had a mint condition D.U.K.W.to recover the recovery D.U.K.W. Joe used his D.U.K.W.s as shrimping vehicles with some success.He was asked in 1951 by the then Southport Corporation to pioneer the use of the D.U.K.W. as a sea rescue vehicle.In conjunction with the beach Rangers well over 600 people were rescued on our beaches from then until their retirement in the 1990s. Quote
Degsy Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Not quite at Blackpool but across the bay at Southport this photo was taken a couple of years ago. The contraption is used for fishing.Any ideas what is underneath the body????? I believe that these shrimpers utilised the Morris chassis Quote
Tony B Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I'd forgotten the DUKWs at Elizabeth Castle. I've no idea what hapned to them, over the years they had pointy fronts added. First MV's I travelled in. Quote
snowtracdave Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I'd forgotten the DUKWs at Elizabeth Castle. I've no idea what hapned to them, over the years they had pointy fronts added. First MV's I travelled in. I was waiting for you to mention them Tony . The tide came back in while we were looking round the castle on our honeymoon & we had to get a lift back to dry land on one. Not a pleasant ride as I recall - the tide was not in by much & the wheels kept touching & throwing the old girl around . Would have preferred a nice little sail :-D . Quote
Brooky Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I believe that these shrimpers utilised the Morris chassis Correct!!!! There were also shrimpers on Bedford and commer 3 ton chassis Quote
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Eastbourne 2007. Quote
Smithy Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 Some great pictures and information so far guys of the different one's from around the country. Has anyone got any of the Blackpool one's lying around though??? Quote
Brooky Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 There was one of the Southport DUKWs for sale a couple of years ago. The advert mentioned you might have to be good at welding!!! Quote
chevpol Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 I have a piccy of one of the morrises at Blackpool, will have to find it!!! Mark Quote
Smithy Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 I have a piccy of one of the morrises at Blackpool, will have to find it!!! Mark Good on you Mark :-D Quote
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 any idea what this is?i dunno:-D Quote
Willyslancs Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 erm...................ugly ?...................lol Quote
Richard Farrant Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 Other MV's around the coast..... The Monks at the Caldey Island Monastry off the South Wales coast at Tenby, used to use a DUKW to get passengers and supplies to the island. Seem to think they replaced it with a Stalwart, but found it unsuitable, perhaps someone knows more on that. CW's mystery amphib........a bit like one that was based on the Bedford MK 4x4, I saw one at the military equipment trade show once, and think there was one working at St.Helier, Jersey when I went, certainly not a DUKW in sight then. Quote
ArtistsRifles Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 All these beautiful DUKW's - where were they when I was looking for one!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: Quote
Snapper Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 I was waiting for you to mention them Tony . The tide came back in while we were looking round the castle on our honeymoon & we had to get a lift back to dry land on one. Not a pleasant ride as I recall - the tide was not in by much & the wheels kept touching & throwing the old girl around . Would have preferred a nice little sail :-D . I've got a snap of me with my uncle Harry on one in 1970. A treasure memory. Quote
Tony B Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 Unfortunatley the proper DUKW's got worn out. they were replaced for many years with purpose built German vehicles , don't know manufacturer and were known as 'Puddleducks'. Then local polotics got involved. :shake: Quote
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