Is this an Old Raf type crane vehicle?

Coles Crane

Enjoyed reading that Andy, I remember the cleetrack, we got one at Watton for the b29s, but I left before they arrived. Those Matadors, did you drain the water in the winter, I never liked them as I had to stand up to depress the clutch, however once moving you never needed it, by a careful judgment of engine revs, changing gear was a doddle. Cannot remember now, but wasn’t there a 3 ton version of the Coles? I also seem to recall on some models the prime mover engine drove the generator and others had a seperate engine behind the cab.

I would have said so. Pictures at the bottom of this page.http://www.rafmarham.co.uk/history/memories/memory27.htm

Coles crane

Hi ,

It may be a later version ,or modified for civilian use.My late Father was in the MT section at Martlesham Heath during his national service days and often drove both Coles and the Lorain Cranes ,He much preferred the Coles saying that it was far superior in every way and especially for precision work because it was much smoother in operation.
He drove the Thorneycroft/Coles version and said it was just like the one in the Airfix RAF Recovery set kit with a shorter jib and open cab.
Hope this is of interest,

Steve

Coles Crane.

Looks like a Coles but the Jib seems much to long, The standard R A F Coles in the 40s and 50s were mounted on a Thornycroft chassis, For heavier lifts and longer reach Lorains were used, These days lattice jibs are Gone, it is now all hydraulic. Hope this helps.

the cab and jib look very much like a 1950’s coles crane we used to use in work until recently, however ours was self propelled and not on a lorry chassis.