Rlangham Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Trying to find pictures and survivors of the Thornycroft Amazon 6x4 lorry, it was used by the RAF in WW2 with a coles crane on the back, Airfix do a nice kit of one. I've seen a late version at the Yorkshire Air Museum but i've seen a couple more in magazines and one on tv which is the earlier version like the Airfix kit depicts, can anyone help? Cheers, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Up until a few years ago there was a coles crane in yellow sitting on the edge of a scrap yard out the back of Parkstone (Bournemouth/Poole) it vanished when I think the yard was moved. With regards pictures, there were a few published in I think CMV magazine last year, there are also a few books that I obtained through the library as a kid on RAF transport which had pictures in, Airfix also produced a modelling book specifically on RAF vehicles and there may be some in that. My interest is that during the war my grandad was a driver (left a Cpl) in the RAF (TAF 2) and drove a coles crane through France/Germany, I have a few pictures of him with it, plus variuos others of Austin K6 bomb flats and a myriad of other transport. All my militaira etc is currently in storage while my cellar is being refurbished but when it comes back mout I'll post some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Hi Rob Acrane operator in our village used to use them and still had one a couple of years ago, its probably still there as it was parked in some woodland near the yard. Incidentally he still uses a Matador for winching jobs and a few years ago won abet with the Matador by dragging a big modern recovery vehicle even though the new truck was also trying to pull the Matador, quite impressive. There used to be 3 Matadors in the yard as one of his employees and one of his sons also owned them however I know at least one of these was sold a couple of years ago. Cheers Degsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest matt Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Hi Degsy, A guy near me has a couple of Matadors,one of which still works for a living as a logger. they are a super piece of kit. Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 There may be a Thornycroft Amazon Coles crane, at Duxford. Just over a year ago, my friend sold his Austin K6 Coles crane to Duxford museum. They wanted it for a new display as, they told me, that the Thornycroft they had wanted too much work to be done to it. Also, I was told of another up for sale, in the Notts. area, about 18 months ago. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean101ryan Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Ainscough crane hire have one, their first crane. http://www.ainscough.co.uk/about.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted March 24, 2006 Author Share Posted March 24, 2006 Cheers, do you know when the Austin K6 with crane will go on display? It'll be an interesting addition to the museum, at an aviation museum sometimes I find the ground vehicles more interesting than the aircraft! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Cheers, do you know when the Austin K6 with crane will go on display? It'll be an interesting addition to the museum, at an aviation museum sometimes I find the ground vehicles more interesting than the aircraft! According to the chap who came down to look the crane over, the Museum is creating a display of WW2 RAF ground equipment. Not having been up there for some years I am not sure which building, but I got the impression they would be mingled with aircraft. They have been restoring a Bedford MWC water tanker and a OXC artic tractor, amongst others. I thought he said the display was due to open this year. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T corbin Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 Yes their is a Thorneycroft Amazon crane at Duxford somewhere.The resteration was started some years ago but has come to a stop.It was towed in from Yorkshire behind a scammell constructor After both vehicles had completed the Transpenine run in the mid Eighties.The Bedford OXC & MWC have both been at Duxford for the past 30 years.They were both privately owned but sold to the IWM .AS was my QL Bowser.Their is a AEC Matador 6X6 Bowser somewhere.The Albion CX22 Will be out for on the vehicle show .If anybody would like a good & a sit in cab find COLIN or TONY TONY CORBIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted March 25, 2006 Author Share Posted March 25, 2006 Cheers, hope they fix the Thornycroft up some day as well. Does anyone know more about this ground vehicle display, ie where it's going to be and whats going to be there? RAF ground vehicles at Duxford that I can think of are; Bedford OXC and trailer Bedford MW tanker Thompson 3 wheel refueller Bedford QL Fuel bowser Tracked tractor (think it's a Fordson or Clayton) Morris LRC (doubt they'll move it from the Normandy exhibition) Standard Beaverette Fordson WOT barrage balloon towing vehicle Austin K6 coles crane Anyone know of any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G506 Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Sorry guys, only just found this thread! It may be of interest, there was an Amazon in a yard in Chichester in West Sussex, a couple of years ago, may still be there, and another (in safe hands) in a yard near Southampton. If anyone on this forum is brave enough to attempt a restoration, I can point them in the right direction to possibly save the old girl in Chichester ............... By the way, I remember the one in Parkstone, not sure where she went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 By the way, I remember the one in Parkstone, not sure where she went. Knowing the guy who owned it is probally baked bean tins now the scrap yard is still going despite nearly burning down an electric substation recently Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les freathy Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 A photo of one in WW2 service loading a Crossley Q and queen Mary trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 A crane hire company (Buckley's) in the village where I live still has a Thorneycroft Amazon but of course it is no longer used, I think it is probably kept out of sentiment as I think it was probably the first crane the company started with. They also have 2 Matadors still in regular use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I think they just like old cranes mate ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G506 Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 By the sound of it there are a few survivors, but what a shame so few seem to be safe in collectors hands, are there any under restoration anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 (edited) Hi There are accutualy quit a lot of Amazons on Malta, 15+, most are worn down, but suviving. take a look here http://ccmv.fotopic.net/c843639.html I own, together with to friends, A long Wheel base Amazon that we are going to restaur, but havent started yet, to many projects at the moment. Niels Edited August 19, 2008 by Niels v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 here is some pictures, it havent been work to death like many, and have bee stored in doors the last 40 years. and it is running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G506 Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Niels, Good news that she's in safe hands ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Hi Here are some pictures taken today, when I got the Amazon home to the barn, it has been in storage at friend but sadly he had to sell his barn. Restoration of it has to wait until i have finish some other projects, but it will be kept dry and safe. The crane had to be removed due to it being higher than the 4 meters allowed in Denmark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Blimey Niels I didn't realise they where so large ! Thanks for sharing the photos and I look forward to seeing her restored eventually ! She's a beauty ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels v Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Yes it is fairly big, its running on 14.00 x 20 wheels. Like on my Scammell, it has not been modified by the danish army. I am now searching for manuals and any spares I can find for it. It is reasonable condition, we havent tried to start it yet, but the previous owns had been driving it just before we pick it up 2 years ago, there are some rust holes, but mostly only surface rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogmaner Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 Realise this is a old thread if you are still after one to photo there is one at my mates farm in nottingham, it is the long wb with the geny behind the cab with its one engine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 it is the long wb with the geny behind the cab with its one engine . It looks like the generator engine has been replaced with a Ford 4D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogmaner Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 Yes i agree ford engine is replacement ,the main thornycroft engine was turned over last year on the starter .shes safe from scraping whitch is the main thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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