Can anyone identify this RAAF crane

[gjamo]

Australian War Memorial examples.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P02270.008 check the refuelers in the background.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/125221

[Justin Pollard]

Hello Jared,
Another interesting Beau pic,
This Beau was converted to a target towing aircraft and would probably be with 30 SQN if it is 1955.
My records indicate it was scrapped in 1957.
Be interesting to see what Col comes up with.

Justin.

[Col Tigwell]

Well by early January this crane was gone from Richmond at least.

Perhaps to disposals as all the Beaufighters were long gone, and Neptune engine changes were done using a Fawler.

A8-358 has a very mild history.

Was stored until 30/5/51
Then was converted to target towing and allotted to 30 Sqdn.

Undercarriage collapsed on landing at Richmond 14/11/55.

Aircraft sent to Tocumal 3/2/56 for storage and sold for scrap 28/657.

So we know that the crane existed on 14/11/55 and was gone by 8/1/57.

I suspect that these cranes were taken out of service, because they were not allowed to be driven by groundstaff. Where as the Fowlers could be driven by any approved driver.

Makes sense not to tie up a driver when doing an engine change.

Thank goodness for aircraft the RAAF kept and have retained good records.

Shame they had not done it with transport.

Regards

Col

[Larry Hayward]

Having had another chat with Dad over the crane he used at Balikpapan in 1945-46 - he says that it was a self propelled crane that it steered by hydraulic rams (that steered the rear end). He says it had a farm tractor seat and not a cab.

He remembered the name Massey Harris and I've found this on the Museum of Victoria site. I'll show him when I see him as he is not on the web! However I cannot see from the photo how it would have hydraulic steering but after 65 years its hard to remember I guess.


I presume the RAAF had these too?

[Larry Hayward]

I've just found another Massey Harris - this has four wheels that he said it had.

[Euan McDonald]

While driving around Aust in the CGT we came across this example in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy in central Aust. It just took me a while to find the pic.

[Goncalo Mendes]

Originally Posted by Euan McDonald

While driving around Aust in the CGT we came across this example in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy in central Aust. It just took me a while to find the pic.

Hello, Mr Euan, coud you post a higher resolution image or link?
Thanks!

[Lang]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

I've just found another Massey Harris - this has four wheels that he said it had.

Larry,

Dale Barnard of Brisbane has one of those tractor cranes. I saw it last week and he wants to sell it.

Lang

[Jeff Gordon]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Hayward
I've just found another Massey Harris - this has four wheels that he said it had.

Larry,

Dale Barnard of Brisbane has one of those tractor cranes. I saw it last week and he wants to sell it.

Lang

I can tell you a little more on that crane because I owned it.
It is a 1939 H model Farmall trike with a Fowler crane conversion.
It has its original brass plate and is fully operational.
If you are over 6 foot tall don't forget to duck when lowering the boom!
Cheers
Jeff