Whatissit?

[Howard]

A couple of weeks ago Ganmain Tony was alerted to an ex-military vehicle on a local property. Today I took the long way home & called in for a look.
Alas, the camera and mobile phone are with Jo the Lovely (in Canberra), so you will have to wait for a photo... But here are some clues...

1. Manufacturer "Tutt Bryant"
2. Model A
3. Serial 437
4. Engine Number WR3954921
5. Yellow in colour
6. Stencil "RAAF 216593"

Can anyone guess? If not, more clues tomorrow.

[cliff]

I'd say an excavator from one of the RAAF works units

[aj.lec]

tutt bryant would maybe be a crane ???
engine number would suggest on a chev or gmc

[gjamo]

Maybe an aircraft tug. Tutt Bryant were forklift manufacturers in Tottenham Victoria Australia just up the road from me. A fork lift without its mast is a perfect aircraft tug and they supplied a lot to the RAAF. I believe they may even still be in business in a smaller capacity.
Graeme

[Howard]

You blokes are cluey! Photos tomorrow.
DOES have a Chev engine, Diff, CMP 20" wheels...

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

That WR-prefixed engine is evidently a 1943 MODEL CMP, so from a C30, C60L or CGT I think.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Howard

You blokes are cluey! Photos tomorrow.
DOES have a Chev engine, Diff, CMP 20" wheels...

OK It's tomorrow now.... where are the pics?

[Howard]

Not exactly sure what it is... A forklift?

[Howard]

A couple of more detailed pix.

Recycled Blitz parts are evident.
The only problem that I can see if it were a forklift is the absence of any mechanism to keep the forks horizontal... Maybe there is another ram missing?
The owner of the 'thing' was told by his father that it was a bomb-lifter??
Would I be correct in thinking that this is post-war construction from disposals parts?
HH

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I keep thinking that it looks like a Clark lifter. I gathered from a bit of digging that Clark Equipment entered into manufacturing license agreement with Tutt-Bryant Limited of Sydney, Australia in 1948, which was the beginning of overseas production by Clark. Could it therefore be a post-war job, using CMP parts for economic reasons?

[Col Tigwell]

The RAAF serial indicates that it is post war.

The yellow colour indicates that its primary role is on the flight line.

Its three wheel configeration indicates it is dsigned to be used in a restricted operating space. The lack originally of any ROPS also confirms that point.

However I have never seen one before which rules out it having anything to do with C47 or P2V airplanes and its serial indicates late 40's or early 50's into service.

It could however have been designed for use on an ordinance depot.

Regards

Col

[Keith Webb]

This info comes from a friend with 'the knowledge'.

Tutt Bryant ‘Tractor, Front End Loader’. Purchased 1950, disposed of in 1963.

I don't think we'll get a more precise answer than that.

[Howard]

Thanks Keith
I'll pass this on to the owner.
HH