By: J Boyle - 1st August 2015 at 20:02
Why does it need to have been “blessed” with Gibson’s halo for you to see it as significant?
If it wasn’t associated with 617 Squadron.. well, so what? It is an important piece of equipment in its own right.
If the sellers want a price premium based on its alleged association with 617 squadron, them obviously it would be nice if it is as claimed. It’s called honesty…or lack of fraudulent intent if you will.
Otherwise, as I said, it’s a neat old truck without any special provenance. Is everything that had anything to do with WWII “important” (to use your word)?
Of course not…especially if there are many about. A Jeep that spent the war being driven by a sergeant for an unknown colonel isn’t necessarily “important”. One used by the SAS, Patton or Eisenhower…that would be a different story.
By: brewerjerry - 1st August 2015 at 17:55
hi
A screen grab from night bombers (1944)
Cheers
Jerry
By: DBenz - 1st August 2015 at 15:41
Hi Graham,
I suspect you might be right, as this vehicle was in use postwar at an airport I now gather. New pods and flanges, boom base structure atop cab, and looking at the models at Accurate Armour, a new pumping system fitted, as well as that dustbin sized thing on rhs.
Film crew on the Dambusters remake , where this has gone, will have to remove these post war add ons and create the top pods hugging the tank, to get this looking wartime, as will its final resting home people. Pump area though will be an issue not easily resolved. Though they could film it from the front looking aft and avoid seeing the pump area. To see it in Mickey Mouse camo, spotlamp on top, correct pods and post war items removes would be great.
DBenz
By: Graham Boak - 31st July 2015 at 16:06
I suspect the ones with postwar booms were modified from the wartime ones, rather than being new build. So this one could well have had a wartime career, but my understanding backs the above comment that these were issued to stations not individual squadrons.
By: DBenz - 31st July 2015 at 15:17
Hi,
my post seems to have vanished so rather than edit it, I come to apply an update on observations, this matador has the top structure and bridge area behind cab that featured two refuelling booms, the flanges are not suitable for the hose pods we see hugging the tank sitting tangential on the tank in the classic WW2 Matador, e.g. Airfix kit and photos to be sen on the www, these flanges would have had a pod mounted vertically on the sides from what I see of such when complete. Furthermore as per such vehicles, this Attwells vehicle also has the ‘dustbin’ sized pot sitting between the vehicles fuel tank and the AVGAS tank, I have not seen these variants in WW2 pics, though the article says it was built in 1943. I have loads of books and study RAF vehicles and have never seen such refuelling Lancs etc. To me they are post war, though that 1943 date makes me ponder, but why no pics of them in wartime use ? Can someone find such a photo ? is this the rare WW2 matador, it doesnt look like it as such, has it been depodded then boomed up with new side pods and that ‘dustbin’ sized gubbins etc ? I think it was built with such from the start.
The classic WW2 matador thus remains extinct. Also consider May 1943 dams raid, this was built 1943, chance it didnt get onto that airfield until after the raid, even if did refuel 617 sqdn. lets see this variant in WW2 pics , anyone ?
DBenz
By: beachcomber - 13th June 2011 at 14:01
…. and it went for
the truck sold for £17,500
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June 1, 2011 at 6:21 pm
