RAF Queen Mary Trailers

If you want some details on Queen Mary trailers, named after the Cunard liner of the 30’s ask the experts at http://www.rafmtd.co.uk, I will check to see if the MU bods at RAF Stafford know anymore.

I definitely saw one at Duxford in June.

Editted as found a pic from RAF Stafford http://www.raf-lichfield.co.uk/Albert_queen_mary_lge.jpg

Thanks for a great answer AgCat.

Every day we learn something new, best not shared with non-aviation people: “Oh, today I leaned that the Queen Mary trailer – wait, I’ll sketch one.. No, don’t go…”

Power of the forum!

Here’s a question.

Are there two lengths of Queen Mary? Of the pics I’ve been looking st, the panel aft of the mainwheel seems either to be short or long; i.e. the cross bracing seems more of a X than >< – but the pics and drawings I’ve got seem unclear on this point. While thise seems daft, it’s not unprecidented; the world famous Routmaster London Bus comes in 2 lengths, easilly distinguisable by the centre window being square or rectangular. You’d never notice, then when it’s pointed out, you can’t miss it.

As to why Queen Mary, I have no idea – perhaps cos it looked as long as an Ocean Liner?

The QM has been through many iterations and many were built during the war and many after the war. There have therefore been a number of subtle changes to the design because of changes over the years to the road transport Construction and Use Regulations. For example, I think the QM pictured at East Kirkby is not a genuine WW2 example, but it was built in the late 50s/early 60s. The bit sticking out behind the wheel is different to the WW2 ones, and so is the trailer wheel. I think that the East Kirkby trailers were rescued from a farm at Willoughby (near the coast) and that when in service they were pulled by S-Type Bedford tractor units.

In the late 70s/early 80s there was a different version of the QM trailer which had the wheel right at the very back of the load deck (I think Bruntingthorpe had an example of one of these a few years ago). These trailers were very difficult to handle on the road, especially round tight corners, and I did hear that these trailers may have been dubbed “Queen Elizabeths”.

Latterly, the basic QM configuration has been retained but with the use of twin normal-sized lorry wheels at the back. Whilst the QMs were generally built by Taskers of Andover (and later by, I think, Trailmaster after Taskers went under), the twin-wheeled versions have been built by the likes of King, Oldbury and also Trailmaster (I think).

Would welcome contact with anyone who has more data on QM and other vehicles of RAF.

Keep on Trucking.

Yes – the Queen Mary Harvard is in Holland – inside its pretty rough – the chap restoring it owns loads of military vehicles – he bought a prop from us in March

tt

The Harvard on the Queen Mary is indeed now in holland – the guy restoring it bought a prop off us in March – internally its pretty rough i think….had some photos somewhere, will try and find them…

Here’s a question.

Are there two lengths of Queen Mary? Of the pics I’ve been looking st, the panel aft of the mainwheel seems either to be short or long; i.e. the cross bracing seems more of a X than >< – but the pics and drawings I’ve got seem unclear on this point. While thise seems daft, it’s not unprecidented; the world famous Routmaster London Bus comes in 2 lengths, easilly distinguisable by the centre window being square or rectangular. You’d never notice, then when it’s pointed out, you can’t miss it.

As to why Queen Mary, I have no idea – perhaps cos it looked as long as an Ocean Liner?

Any idea of the ID and history for the Harvard though???

Tony – I believe that Queen Mary and Harvard is now in the Netherlands. I believe it went to AF Budge for the shipment abroad. It would be good to see the picture. I well remember the event – bought a T.7 panel from Steve Arnold.

David,

I saw this Queen Mary trailer with Harvard fuselage (with camouflage on top)mounted on it at an old car event held at the RAI, Amsterdam in 1998. It was also for sale a the time. The cab was a Commer.

Cees

Big thankyou to all who replied to this question. Please add photos as you find them.
I have sent pm to those who offer to scan books

Tony – I believe that Queen Mary and Harvard is now in the Netherlands. I believe it went to AF Budge for the shipment abroad. It would be good to see the picture. I well remember the event – bought a T.7 panel from Steve Arnold.

OK, I might be showing my ignorance here but why were they called “Queen Mary” trailers?

DavidB

Yes I am sure it would be the one. It was looking very rusty by the mid 1070’s when I last saw it at Newark.

Mark

At Bruntingthorpe in the mid 90s there was a QM trailer with a yellow Harvard on the back (new owner swapped it for a car IIRC!) Sorry if someone else has mentioned it. I have a phot somewhere

Mark 12 – The Queen Mary trailer at Hawkinge was supplied by me last year.
In the early 1990’s she was acquired from Newark so I guess there is a very good chance that she is the same trailer that held NH238.

DavidB

Yes I am sure it would be the one. It was looking very rusty by the mid 1070’s when I last saw it at Newark.

Mark

Mark 12 – The Queen Mary trailer at Hawkinge was supplied by me last year.
In the early 1990’s she was acquired from Newark so I guess there is a very good chance that she is the same trailer that held NH238.

Am I cracking up or did I see one at Duxford a few weeks ago?

Revise that, I’m sure I saw one at Duxford a few weeks ago.

another view of the EK one.. I can always pop down and take some more if you need some more detail..

Neil.

Yep – try

http://www.beechrestorations.com/history.html

Isnt there a Dinky model of it as well ? sure my father has one ?

NH238

Yep NH238.

It had blown the leading edge out during the the London-Cardiff (?) air race in 1961. It acquired a replacement wing for show from 71 MU either TB308 or TB287 from memory.

Mark

Is that NH238?