Wanted: Water Bowser Fittings

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by horsa

I've managed to track down the original manufacturer for the water bowser / water truck filters in the UK. Explained that there was a small number of people that were preserving these British military vehicles and most were in need of the filters.

They took this to their weekly admin meeting and currently seem interested in helping us out. They asked how accurate we needed them in terms of internal and external features and I told them that the most important aspect was the external look. Internal fittings would be very expensive to replicate and likely everyone could live without the canister filtering as long as water could still pass through it and thus allow the device to not require the hose lines to be re-routed for the pump to work.

Plan right now is they will get quotes for 1, 2, 5 and 10 filter canisters. The canisters will look as cosmetically correct externally as possible and will have a pipe inside to allow the water from the in and out hoses to pass through so that it appears to be functional. Finish would be unpainted so that people can match their own trailer or other fitting colors. They will also see if the original manufacturer for the cast nomenclature plates on the filters can help out. Failing that they will do a laser etched plate which should serve as a satisfactory placeholder that could be replaced by individuals over time if a suitable replacement becomes available.

Will update once I know more. This would likely be a one time group purchase where everyone gets them at cost. Price will likely be cheaper as the quantity increases.

That is potentially great news, well done sir! Not sure how many other members want them, but mark me down as interested in three filters.

If this is a goer, I have quite a few photos of the filters as well as a manual for the Type 2 Metafilter. Happy to email copies through, if it helps in any way.

Owen.

[horsa]

I sent them photos when I initially made inquires as to them being the original manufacturer. Apparently they still have drawing plans so its really a question of them having an economical way to make a modern copy, less the guts. I'm sure they don't have the ability to stamp one out like they did during the war.

Will update this thread and the facebook trailer group when they post back an update. Likely be a week at least since they are looking into things on their end.

[Jon Bradshaw]

I am going to be starting on my bowser this coming winter, I have filter bodies but no pumps. The Shilo Museum one, last time I saw it, was missing both pumps and filters. I think I know of one or two other guys with bowsers that might jump on a chance to buy these.

[Dusonn]

I might also be interested in two filters and couple of pumps for my bowser project, shall the replicas become available.

[Guy Verstrepen]

if possible I would also like to join the project for 2 filters and 2 hand pumps, for my c15a waterbowser.

[horsa]

Once we know for certain if the company can build the filters and provides a price per unit, it will be posted and we can lock in who whats them. They would only be building the filters as the various types of pumps that were used during the war were made by other companies.

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by horsa

the various types of pumps that were used during the war were made by other companies.

Apparently, the hand pumps were manufactured by a company called Barclay Kellett in Bradford, England. I think they were bought out by Albany Pumps in the 1980's?

Attached is a schematic of the unit, if anyone wants to have a go at making some. No dimensions, but if someone can measure the distance between the mounting holes on their tank, the approximate size should be easy to work out.

I can't measure the hole centres; the mounting brackets have been torched off my tank!

Owen.