Scammell (Leyland) Contractors in Australian Service?

[Mike Cecil]

Dianna,

Read 'Mud and Dust: Australian Army Vehicles and Artillery in Vietnam' for details on their Army testing and overseas service in SVN, plus several images.

But I am looking for more if anyone has any pics ....

Mike C

[Ian Patrick]

Hello Diana and Mike,
Attached are some more pictures from the same series of photos as the one posted in the first post.

[Ian Patrick]

Some more photos of "Spetic" being loaded onto the transporter. All photos taken by my Dad in or around Vung Tau in 1971. If anyone wants any higher res images let me know.

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Ian,

Really interesting set of images of the M48 being loaded. This was one of the loan tanks, fitted with a mine roller system, used by 1 Fd Sqn (RAE) for route clearance. There are a couple of images of it in Mud and Dust, too. As Dianna has queried, the tank had the name 'SEPTIC' painted on it at one stage (for Septic tank = Yank ... an endearing term for our US allies!)

I'd certainly like high res .jpeg or .tif copies of these please, and you fathers name in full, and unit if possible. Could you please send them direct to me via email at mike@krystiimelaine.com?

Great images!

Mike

[Ian Patrick]

Hello Mike and Diana,
Yes, I agree "Septic". My typing got the better of me.

Any photos of your's mates truck Diana? Would be interesting to see and no doubt it will be a large restoration project.

Email on its way to you Mike.

Ian

[Stuart Kirkham]

Diana

The following photos show Leyland Contractor 172-524 in Australia 1980. Coincidently, it is towing the very same trailer as shown in your first post photo.

To help identify the truck, your friend should sand back the paint on the drivers door as it appears that this was a good place for unit markings etc.

Of interest is the photo showing a different trailer with ARN 101-954.

[Mike Cecil]

Nice pics,

The nomenclature of the 'Contractor' reflected the fact that it was used for both the 35 ton plant trailer and the 60 ton tank transporter. Both trailers were used in South Vietnam, though I think the early Steco prototype (the one sent to SVN) had to have the goose neck winched back into position by the tractor, rather than have its own hydraulics.

The M577A1 ACV on the back is an interesting one. Do you know an approx date and unit for it, per chance?

Mike C

[Stuart Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Dianaa

The fourth image shows the Steco trailer, this trailer that dropped the front off the fifth wheel, the gooseneck then lowered down flat and loaded from the front. When the load had been transferred on or off, the gooseneck rose under it's own hydraulics and then was winched back onto the fifth wheel. The SME museum has one of the Scammells, currently not operational, but it does have the Steco trailer. John Belfield also has one of the Steco trailers, but the gooseneck has been welded in the up position, he had it at Corowa last year. The good thing about these trailers is that they can load vehicles with a low ramp-over angle that would have difficulty loading onto a regular float.

Photos