Airborne jeep trailer
 

Hi
I am at present restoring a jeep, doing it up as an airborne version. Have been using Rob's book for the airborne accessories such as battery carriers, Towing A frame etc. I would like to try and fabricate a trailer for display with the jeep once completed. I have been trying to find dimensions with no luck.
Can anyone help with the dimensions for an airborne jeep trailer such as
Length of tub
Width of tub
Height of tub
Draw bar length
Size of drawbar c section and distance two c sections are apart
Size of box section on top edge of tub
Size of box section on wall supports for tub

Does any one know of any drawings/blueprints for the trailer or possibly assist in supplying some of these dimensions

Thanks Eben

British Airborne Trailer Dimensions
 

Afternoon Eben,

A good project.
It is one of my trailers in the photo, so I've just measured the parts you were asking for (yes I know it would have all been in imperial measurements originally but used to metric now!):

Length of tub = 1670mm
Width of tub = 1010mm
Height of tub = 610mm
Draw bar length = 603mm
Size of drawbar c section = 52mm x 75mm
Size of box section on top edge of tub = 54mm (wide) x 75mm deep
Size of box section on wall supports for tub = 58mm (wide) x 52mm deep

Hope this helps and if you need any photos, let me know

What sort of wheels were used?

HI

Thanks John for taking time to measure the trailer much appreciated. I am in Australia so we use metric as well. I'd be interested in the photos you offer, thanks. Do you know if the second version would have the same dimensions. Not sure if this would be easier to fabricate having just a flat floor built onto a chassis rather than the extra detail in the other pattern although the other way could be hidden under a canvas cover
Would also depend on what size steel merchants carry here in Australia.

Many thanks
Eben

Wheels
 

Jack,

British pressed steel wheels that were very similar to standard pre-war civilian car wheels, but had 6 nuts. These are quite sought after. There was a truly lightweight version used on the original "airborne" trailers as pictured above and another seemingly identical type that was actually slightly heavier gauge steel.

There was also a much heavier slit rim version, again with 6 nuts securing wheel to hub that I believe was a post-war development.

Photos of British Lightweight wheels:

Eben,

The British 10 cwt Lightweight No2 trailer was approx 150mm longer than the original "airborne" No1 MkI and MkII. Some say it was used in WWII but no photos have yet appeared that I have seen, the earliest I have is from Korea.
It might be a little easier to make, but if you are going to go to all the trouble I'd stick with a No1 as used here:

Link to HMVF Forum re Lightweight Trailers
 

Eben,

Just read your PM.

Rather than clog up MLU with lots of photos, can I recommend you have a look at these threads?

First one recounts the restoration of two of my other airborne trailers. The rare REME Electrical Repair version (possibly only one still in existence) and the REME Murex Welder:

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread...ration-Project

This one is an album of the No1 MkII basic refurbishment:
http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/album.php?albumid=541

The third is some photos of the rarely seen 100 gallon Water treatment Bowser that was again developed for Airborne forces and used on D-Day and and in Market Garden:
http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/album.php?albumid=539

Regarding your plan to build one from scratch: it is definitely possible, but I think you'd need to get an original hitch, wheels and axle to use a base. If there any full size versions of any of the photos you'd like, email me.