Aviation Related Ground Vehicles

The Crossley Q fire tender is supposed to be at Cosford, although i’ve never seen it there. Would be good to see the Jeep in British colours, perhaps in RAF far east colours next to the Thunderbolt at Hendon. I’ve also just remembered the 1948 Scammell Scarab mechanical horse at Hendon, in desert camo, was surprised to see one there as they were normally used by British Railways and other haulage companies here in the UK. If you ask me, the vehicles are just as interesting as the aircraft, then again i’m a big military vehicle fan.

Cosford also has an RAF Fordson Mobile dental clinic and there used to be a Crossley Q fire tender in the BoB Hall. There’s also a Bedford OX/Queen Mary combo in the Bomber Hall carrying the Anson Fuselage (what about some wings for that one?????) although it’s probably never seen because the lights are out

I’ve always felt that the Jeep in the Bomber hall should be restored / presented with a British 10cwt GS trailer as one of the early wartime Mountain Rescue vehicles – far more appropriate to the RAF Museum

Mobile Engine Test Bed

This 1942 International belongs to Robert Eastgate and his father in Melbourne, Australia. They own and operate warbirds and also do thier own engine work. This vehicle was built specifically for the job of testing radial engines for the ANA during WW2, and is the only original setup like this I have seen. Many have been built in recent years to do the same job.

You’re too quick for me Guzzineil.

Does anyone remember seeing the large unrestored RAF bowser (just like the Airfix Kit)that used to appear at Duxford for the Military vehicle days.

I haven’t seen it there for years.

Septic.

Sorry for bumping up the thread, but do you mean the Bedford QL bowser? She’s in hangar 4 now I think. Duxford and Hendon have quite a lot of aviation related vehicles, at Duxford I can think of

Bedford QL fuel bowser
Thompson refueller
1930’s tracked tractor (think it might be a Fordson, not sure)
Fordson WOT barrage balloon lorry
Standard Beaverette mk 3 small armoured car (used by the RAF regiment)
Morris Light Reconnaissance Car mk I (used by RAF regiment, in Land Warfare Hall, Normandy exhibition)
Theres also a WW2 fuel trailer behind the scenes somewhere, rusting away.

Hendon

Ford Model T pickup truck (RFC)
Crossley Tender (RFC)
Trojan light van
Humber Light Reconnaissance Car mk III
David Brown tractor
Post-war aircraft tractor (not sure what it is)
AEC Mantador missile carrier
Austin K9

Edit – forgot the Fordson 817 Barrage balloon lorry in the B of B hall as well. There’s also a Jeep by the B17.

They also had a Rolls Royce silver ghost armoured car, don’t know where that is now though. Cosford has quite a few vehicles as well, can only remember a David Brown tractor, Bedford QL bowser and AEC Matador 6×6 refueller, and Elvington has a good selection too.

Here’s a couple pictures of my dads 42 chevy airfield crash truck (QMC-110).
Pictures were taken around 1990 or 91.

No airfield is complete without a 1/4 ton 4×4 truck ( or Jeep as most people know them ), they got everywhere. This is my recently purchased Hotchkiss M201/Willy’s MB which I am converting back to Willy’s specs, in 8th AF 100th Bombardment Group Markings.

Other than the standard Jeep, does anyone have any photo’s of the many airfield conversions made to Jeeps. I’ve seen pictures of hard top Jeeps made using bits of scrap aluminium and parts off a droptank.

It’s hard work to drive any distance but I’d rather have a workout driving the Jeep than sitting in a Gym!!!

Steve

Fergy1,

Have you seen this weeks issue of Classic Car weekly (April 21).

On page 35, there’s a feature on the Ferguson Museum.

Septic.

very kind of Unigate to donate two milk floats but – why?

Because, apart from its value as a historic vehicle, it is also heavily used, and trust me: the older one of the two is not in very good shape anymore! Hence the new one! :rolleyes:

I think it should be included here as it does have an aviation connection, I once moved a Hawker Hunter with it for example :p In the photo below it is serving as a water bowser/pumping vehicle 😉

I saw a Thompson bowser in a skip at North Weald a year or so ago.

These two, along with the Thompson Refueller all run. The bowser probably didn’t move on Friday, it is sheltered under the wing of the BAC1-11, which is next to the milkfloats.

dhfan- the milkfloats at Brooklands don’t really look in keeping, they are very useful for moving equipment about the site, and are easily the most frequently used vehicles at the museum.

Steve

You’re right, I’d forgotten the BAC1-11 wasn’t with the rest of the airliners.

I should have thought of that for the milk floats. I worked for a steel stockholder many, many years ago and they had an old one, without bodywork, that was in virtually constant use.

How about this at our Tractor day last year at the fort ?
Avelin runway roller which is kept at Walton Hall Museum Thurrock.

A couple more photos from Brooklands, a David Brown Tractor (late 1940’s), and a Mercury tug (probably same era).

These two, along with the Thompson Refueller all run. The bowser probably didn’t move on Friday, it is sheltered under the wing of the BAC1-11, which is next to the milkfloats.

For lots of very good info on the Thompson fuel bowser and other airfield vehicles have a look at this site, www.juliantemple.com

dhfan- the milkfloats at Brooklands don’t really look in keeping, they are very useful for moving equipment about the site, and are easily the most frequently used vehicles at the museum.

Steve

There’s a Thompson Bowser at the RAAFA Museum in Western Australia in civvie colours. I’ll have to see if I can find the pic…

would give my first born for that EK fuel bowser

You’re too quick for me Guzzineil.

Does anyone remember seeing the large unrestored RAF bowser (just like the Airfix Kit)that used to appear at Duxford for the Military vehicle days.

I haven’t seen it there for years.

Septic.

How about Elvingtons Bedford/Queen Mary, still fully active taking visitors around the airfield.

Septic.

East Kirkby

always thourght the crew bus would look good outside with the Lanc and a few reenactors??

so what era is it?
Neil

1935. They were fairly common on airfields around England during the 1930s and 40s. Their 3 wheel design gave them excellent manoeuverability to allow them to get close to the aircraft that they were fuelling. During WW2 the RAF had some built to a similar design but they could hold more fuel. I believe that Hendon has one on display in its Battle of Britain Hall.

Fergy1

When I saw the bowser it was near the milk floats (as we remarked at the time, very kind of Unigate to donate two milk floats but – why?) and nowhere near the aircraft. I assume that means it works.

I’m quite prepared to believe Fergys are fun (ish) on a pleasant summers day but I have no use, or anywhere to keep one so why the irrational desire? I remember my dad building what I think was one of the first Airfix kits of one well over 40 years ago so perhaps that’s it.

Did you take that pic on Friday, Neil? If so, either they moved it before I saw it or they’ve got two.

Despite having absolutely no use for one whatsoever, I’ve always wanted a Fergy TE20. I wish I knew why…

yep I took that on Friday…. whilst being acused by another forumite of taking boring photos!!! 😀

so what era is it?
Neil