Scammell (Leyland) Contractors in Australian Service?

[Philliphastings]

Hi Diana,

No worries as it's no secret. I'm glad to be able to get the rig into the right hands. Perhaps we shouldn't mention the keys as I haven't seen them since I moved my entire collection and that was 3 years ago...

Tommy - as always a timely pic post.

In my time with 26 Tpt Sqn I operated Mack Tanker, Dump and GS Cargo. As well as a stint with the 1 ALSG Ambulance Section (hence my continued public obsession with Land Rover bloodboxes), but mostly I operated Mack and ISO trailer carting M113 FOV - generally ACV on the truck and APC on the trailer.

I think from memory the last three numbers of my truck were 200. I'd love to be at the auction with $$$ when it comes up.

I wasn't qualified on the Scammel, only Mack Road Train and variants but rode in the Scammels as 'Coey' many times.

26 always maintained a unit photo album/scrapbook which from memory had lots of Svn pics as well as more recent stuff. I belive they shifted to Amberly these days which made sense as we spent so much of our time in convoy from Puckapunyal to Shoalwater Bay and even as far as High Range

86 Transport Troop used the Camel as their stencilled symbol
158 Tank Transporter Troop used the stork with baby
87 (Tipper) troop - I can't recall - nearly 30 years ago now but 87 Tp usually
joined us for general taskings and APC carting
Workshops called themselves the 'Camel Brickers' and had a slightly cryptic stencil - use your imagination.

All in all we had so e bloody good times back then. I have a hell of a war story involving the Gin Gin Qld war memorial, my truck/trailer, acouple of M113A1's and a hell of a near death experience - and some pics probably best kept for the campfire...

I'd like to come over and see the Scammel some day.

Cheers

Phill

Cheers

Phill

[Philliphastings]

Some time ago a fellow former 26 member mentioned he still had a manual for the Scammel. i'm afraid I lost his details but ge was a member of the 85 Tpt Tp association

Cheers

Phill

[Philliphastings]

I just dug out a pic of my old Mack - the ARN was in fact 36-090 callsign A3 not sure where the 200 came from but I had Land Rovers and ultimately M113 FOV's as my 'personal' mount later in my career.

Cheers

Phill

[Philliphastings]

I still haven't found the battery key but do have the rear cross member c/w massive pintle hook which can load with the transmissions...

Cheers

Phill

[phoenix]

Always nice to see some of these heavy haulers set for restoration.

I have added a lot of vehicles to the REMLR database of late, and the Contractors are some of these vehicles and appear on the Leyland page.

http://www.remlr.com/ARN/ARN-leyland.php

[Philliphastings]

Well done Richard and thanks - (REMLR saves the day - again)

It should be no problem to trace the ARN via the chasis number.

The engine number may be another matter as my best detective work has failed to locate the original cummins engine - despite rumours it is still powering a pump on a minesite near Coolgardie...

Winch unknown but radiator and surround went for scrap and the fifth whell equipment was never know to be in the district. The Scammel hauled a huge water tank for most of it's local service.

Cheers

Phill

[phoenix]

I don't know about save the day, but it's some of them. I'm not sure how many were delivered, and I certainly don't have every registration between 100-000 to 180-999, although i'm working towards it

Maybe I should have a heavy hauler chapter to compliment the inter chapter, or maybe I should finish some 1/2 finished projects first LOL !!

[Mike Cecil]

Answers:

(1) don't know.
(2) There was only one Army spec. The official description includes '35 ton/60 ton' which says it all: the tractor was for both 35 ton (STECO 35 ton plant trailer and 60 ton Aust No.1 Mk1 tank transporter).
(3) See 'Mud and Dust' heavy vehicle chapter. Time you bought a copy, Dianna!
(4) No: there were two. Again, see 'Mud and Dust' for details.

Mike C

[Cameron Reed]

Hi Diana, if you havn't already, try having a look or asking on the hcvc forum big range of trucking knowledge on there. Beamish heavy haulage have a few of those folding type gooseneck trailers.
good luck with your enquiries
www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl