austernj673
November 8, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Queen Mary trailer variants/ Nuclear weapons

Hi All,

I’m just planning the restoration of this Queen Mary trailer but I’ve no idea what it is. Initially it looked as if it had been converted into a glider trailer but having cleared all the junk out, it now looks to be a purpose built structure presumably for weapons. Inside there is a cradle mounted on a rail, the roof has a covered slot for a fin and located at the front is a crew cab with a 1950’s air conditioning system (Extractor fan and electric radiators running along the length of the trailer).

Due to the climate controls, my guess would be an early form of Nuclear weapons transporter (Blue Danube etc) but if anyone can help identify it then I’d be extremely grateful. It stood in a hedge at RAF Wickenby since the airfield closed and the current plan is to restore it back to a standard wartime Queen Mary although I’m now slightly reserved incase it is a Cold War relic.

Thanks

Tim

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By: Arm Waver - 9th November 2013 at 11:08

Restore it as is would be my 2d.
It is probably a unique survivor and there are “plenty” of original style QM’s around.
At the end of the day it is up to you though.

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By: Fouga23 - 9th November 2013 at 10:18

Unless you can display it next to a Yellow Sun, I’d restore it to original spec.

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By: austernj673 - 9th November 2013 at 08:56

Thanks so much for the input Gents, i think we may have cracked it. If the slot in the roof is intended for an overhead loading crane instead of a fin then Yellow sun would be a prime candidate as the size seems to fit.

The only question now is what to do with it, restore it for what it is or return it back to the original spec?

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By: mikeeepannell - 9th November 2013 at 01:30

Hmmm that would go nicely with my new ICBM storage shed, just 5000 miles away.
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By: TwinOtter23 - 8th November 2013 at 22:41

Tim, let me know if you need any dimensions – the Yellow Sun has recently been measured for some additional fabrication work that is being planned!

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By: Arabella-Cox - 8th November 2013 at 22:17

Newark have a Yellow Sun (inert!) nuclear weapon. Perhaps a measurement of the casing diameter might match the curve of the cradle in the QM you have?

Anon.

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By: JagRigger - 8th November 2013 at 20:16

Found this link

http://rafbarnham-nss.weebly.com/nuclear-convoys–x-flight.html

but these do not have the exterior framework