Morris MRA1 GS 1ton 4x4

[dreadnought1]

I have purchased a pretty complete wreck of the postwar Morris MRA1,the vehicle is unusual in that i know of none that were imported into West Australia as war surplus ie champs , etc.

The only source i can think of is the Monto Bello islands or Marilinga atomic bomb tests in the 1950s.Can any Morris nuts out there enloghten me ?.

By the way, does any one have a copy of the EMERs P440-449 truck gs or a workshop manual for this vehicle ? an e copy would be great.

Cheers.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

I think this was the FV16101. Standard commercial truck modified to meet miltary service requirments.
All I have are the notes/specs from the FVRDE Exhibition 1954.
Not a bad looking truck from exhibit photo, certainly can't remember seeing any over this way.
I would have assumed it was one of Archie Marshalls imports, but you have obviously discounted this.
Rich.

[cantankrs]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

I would have assumed it was one of Archie Marshalls imports, but you have obviously discounted this.
Rich.

Maybe this vehicle came in via another source, but Archie Marshall did import some british vehicles in very small qty's other than Champs. You could ring and ask him.

Regards

Alex

[Richard Farrant]

I have seen two MRA1 ex-army trucks in Australia, both lying semi derelict. One was at the East Point Military Museum in Darwin, in 1995 and the other at William Creek in 2000. The latter one being in the vicinity of Woomera, this point being at the Northern end of the range, with a load of debris displayed from missile recoveries in the area.

[lynx42]

There is another in Romsey or Lancefield in Victoria(can't remember). It is saveable and may be available. I have to go there in the not too distant future to pick up a few other bits.
Rick.

[Philliphastings]

Hello dreadnaught,

see if the morris glows after dark.

Mike Kelly might have some data on the MRA1. He counts Morrises in his sleep.

Cheers

Phill

[fv1620]

Originally Posted by dreadnought1

does any one have a copy of the EMERs P440-449 truck gs or a workshop manual for this vehicle ?

Yes, I have:

EMER WHEELED VEHICLES P440-P449
EMER WHEELED VEHICLES P440/1-P449/1 Welding & stud welding
EMER WHEELED VEHICLES P440/2-P449/2 Dry air charging
EMER WHEELED VEHICLES P447/3 Water tanker

Now this is the point where people will refuse to talk to me. Although I have appx 4,000 individual EMERs, manuals & handbooks I am often asked for copies of this & that. I'm afraid it would take a vast amount of time, which I don't have, to scan all that you are after. But I don't mind scanning a few crucial pages eg Data Summaries, specific mods etc.

I'm afraid not the answer you are really looking for, but a few pages are no problem.

[Markwin Serlui]

Hi!
I would like to have some pictures of the interior of the Dry Air Charging truck if possible? thanks!

[lynx42]

There is one still at the Bandiana Military museum but I think it is just a GS version.

Corowa 2018 088.JPG

Regards Rick

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Markwin Serlui

Hi!
I would like to have some pictures of the interior of the Dry Air Charging truck if possible? thanks!

The MRA1 'Dry air charging' (FV16103) was a conversion of the original cargo body by Strachans under contract 6/VEH/11579 for 29 vehicles. The body featured a Coventry Climax 4-cylinder engine driving a Reavell three-stage compressor mounted on a reinforced floor.
The dry air charging trucks were intended for use with the hydro-pneumatic recuperator fitted on the 5.5" Howitzer. In 1958 there were five medium regiments equipped with the 5.5" Howitzer and each Battery REME section had such a vehicle issued, operated by REME Armourers.

s-l16500 (1).jpg

Hope this helps.
Rick.