I may regret asking this but…

What’s the device on the front of the tractor? It seems to have a drive off the transmission, where the belt pulley usually is. Is it a crane for loading up the bomb trolleys?

Adrian
(feel free to get the mods hoof this to another thread if it looks as though it will distract from the main thread)

Looking at it Adrian I would say that there is a small donkey engine fitted there to enable the tractor to be started.You can start a Fordson like that by spinning the pulley and with all the stuff on the front end you sure as hell wouldn’t be able to swing her,furthermore you can’t tow start them as the final drive is worm and wheel.No doubt someone may correct me,but that’s my logic about it.:)

Fantastic,made me feel all edgey whatching it,I wouldn’t have that sort of nerve.

Ok thanks for the reply Dave,shame really because I’m sure lots of people would like to read the story.

Thank you for the update Martin,much appreciated.

Sopwith has actually jogged my memory as the Upper Hill Spitfire may have been my first, when what became Sheppards was still the Spitfire public house. I think the Spitfire concerned was last heard of in Belgium becoming a high back.

Was the Spitfire at Credenhill a Mk V? I thought it was a TE series Mark XVI.

Yes the original one back in the 60’s at Credenhill was a Mk5,the later Mk16 was 70’s/80’s.

Thanks Martin re your post 25,in answer to my question.

They all look pretty pricey to me.

Ok, thanks anyway Howard