British Dragon Wagons

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

H 5829462 is the Census Number on this DW in 1945...I had no idea that the British had any, ex-USA. Has anyone got any Census Number listings please?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
H 5829462 is the Census Number on this DW in 1945...

David,

5829462 would have had an L prefix and was allocated to a White 10 ton 6x4 lorry ( Contract no. SM 2342) according to the Chilwell list. The previous entry may hold the clue, it is a a block of numbers of ex-US Forces vehicles of various makes and types (none listed though), 5828983 to 5829235 and my guess is that your photo is of 5829162.....possibly?

Richard

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Richard, I have looked again and again at the photo and blown it up/sharpened it, etc and I agree now...H 5829162...the '1' does look like a '4'! The US number has been painted out so this may be a 'field allocation'? The photo was taken in Belgium in 1945. Would be interesting to know if there were any more? Also Census Numbers for British A-C M4 tractors!

[Richard Farrant]

David,

According to Brian Baxter of the REME Museum, in his book, "Breakdown", "an unknown quantity were allocated to the British army and one was modified at the FVPE as a ballast tractor".

Also, I note in the Chilwell list, that Pacific Car Co. supplied a number of Trailer 40 ton 8 wheel transporter recovery under Contract No. BM5485/12. Census no's. X6277186 to X6277225. These would appear to be trailers for the outfit, but can not see tractors listed, maybe there was a need for extra trailers?

Richard

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Dennis Stronks asked me about British 'Dragon Wagons'. The Census List did not show any but he produced a photo of what appears to be ex-US H 5829462. Apparently Brian Baxter's book mentions them.

Armed with the number in the photo I contacted David Fletcher. He replied:

certainly had one at MVEE which was tested with different wheel and tyre sizes, I think it is in Brian's book. I have a vague idea that it is somehow connected with the post-war transporter trials in the Welsh Mountains, of which REME Museum holds the original album/report. The contract card shows 40 (H5829125 to 5829164) shown as Ex-US Forces. The card also contains a rather obscure comment on the trailers which is not easy to read.

Ten DWs were purchased by Wynn's of Newport, S Wales and then rebuilt with new cabs as heavy haulage tractors and one survives.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
Dennis Stronks asked me about British 'Dragon Wagons'. The Census List did not show any but he produced a photo of what appears to be ex-US H 5829462. Apparently Brian Baxter's book mentions them.

David,

I think you posted a photo of one some time this year, I remember commenting on the British census number.

Richard

PS Just found it, you started the thread "British Dragon Wagons" on 4th Oct 2005 !

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Richard and whomever Modded..thanks! I did a search but could not find the original thread. I do not have Hanno's special Harry Potter abiilities! A search under 'Dragon Wagon' produced three threads but not my own!!!!

[Richard Farrant]

David,

I would guess that Hanno had something to do with that, funny thing was ,the other thread had exactly the same title.

Richard

[Les Freathy]

Evening guys
Heres a photo of the M26 with ballast body and large tyres tested by the brits
Les

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

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[David_Hayward (RIP)]

That's the one above Les! I am looking into this project as there may be a file at the REME Museum.

[Niels V]

One of the british Dragon wagons where used in post VE day to move a german 15 cm field gun from the constal fortification in Denmark to England.