RAF vehicles

[Les Freathy]

this one i like as its of the WW1 royal flying corps in my old home town of Lydd, there was a grass airfield down Dennes lane in WW1 used a lot as a staging post for aircraft on the way to france. These Leyland trucks are pictured in Dennes lane just before turning left to the airfield, on the opposite side is lovers lane bet that could tell a few stories

[Les Freathy]

A pre war Commer Raider tender this vehicle has a MG mount on the cab and would in all probability been fitted with a Lewis gun, many were issued in Iraq and syria as convoy escorts

[serge]

In the aim to add data to your forum, I send you a picture of a restored RAF truck (at least in RAF deliver). The picture was take at an annualy event in north of FRANCE last week, where more than 580 vehicles where parading in the state of SOUCHEZ.
This truck came from BRITAIN with a great number of old military vehicles

Regards

[Richard Farrant]

I think this is one for Les.

Somewhere on a website, it might have been this one, I have come across a photo of a British Ford truck used in RAF Barrage Balloon units. Memory tells me it was a 7V or similar and had a very streamlined coachbuilt body to carry personnel. I think a winch was installed in the rear and a substantial tow bar on the rear.

If Les or anyone else know this vehicle please let me know.

[George McKenzie]

This is a picture of the tracror that I am getting ready for paint .I have not been able to find another one like it .Mine worked with the bombers in England during the war .It's a 1942 RAF Fordson N .It can go as fast as some of the trucks .Top speed wide open 40 miles an hour .It was made to go fast to get off of the runways when the planes were comming in .The women drove it and they had to be strong enough to crank it . It was dangerous to drive without the fenders Mine was brought to Canada after the war . George

[George McKenzie]

No picture .It must have been too big Try again

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Richard, would it have been something like this civvy 7V? Note the drawbar for trailers.

http://www.chrishodgephotos.co.uk/pixcma2/aam219.jpg

http://www.chrishodgephotos.co.uk/pixcma2/aam220.jpg

[Larry Hayward]

George, while revisiting this old thread, I wonder what happened to your photo and how your Fordson N looks now?

By the way if you look on the RN Vehicles thread you will see an FAA Fordson in Colour that appears to be matt brown. Is this the same colour as yours?

[Larry Hayward]

Ted,

I'm not sure if you have seen this thread if you are new to the Forum - but if you have any RAF vehicle photos to share please post them.

[aj.lec]

Originally posted by Jan Mostek
And one more interesting vehicle, 1938 Chevy Stake Truck, just for the case some of the users would not be completely familiar with Wheels and Tracks magazines.

Note the licence plate, it seems to me that is was added later on the photo. Your comments? And what you guys guess about the vehicle color? I would like it RAF Blue but some sort of olive would be more likely. Any comments?

1938 CHEV GORGEOUS !!!
one of my personal favourites
I have one that has been in my family since 1952
She is next in line for restoration .Currently accumulating parts so if anyone has some let me know .namely headlight rims and stands ,fuel tank and all handles

[rewdco]

Here's a picture with two sorts of RAF vehicles: a truck and some motorcycles. Don't know anything about the truck, but the bikes are Royal Enfields (model WD/J2), being despatched from the factory. Only six of these have been made (RAF contract C/10103), so this picture shows 50% of their production...
There was also a second RAF contract for Royal Enfield: C/S14219. This one was for 2.826 motorcycles, but now for the WD/CO model. Unfortunately I have no pictures with one of these in active service...

Jan

(picture source: Royal Enfield Owners Club archive)

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by rewdco
Here's a picture with two sorts of RAF vehicles: a truck and some motorcycles. Don't know anything about the truck,

hi Jan,

The RAF truck is a Dodge, the British model made in Kew. RAF used a lot of these.

[Les Freathy]

Its a well known fact that the RAF were great users of matadors and the 6 wheel 0854, weve yet to see any on this thread so to break the ice a nice head on shot of a communicatins Matadoe

A further shot of the Matador signals, i am not sure if the large box over the cab houses a water tank or a generator

And the 6x6 0843 refueller

[Jan Mostek]

Well, nice picture. By the way, when did British stop using the poison gas detector in front of the windscreen?

[Les Freathy]

A couple more of the British built Dodge Kew as used by the RAF in WW2. first a 3 ton GStender and second a rare photo of the 30cwt
cheers
Les

[rewdco]

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
While on the subject of RAF vehicles, does anyone have records of RAF census / serial numbers for Humber Super Snipe staff cars?

To narrow it down, I am specifically interested in those obtained under Contract No. 294/23/S.8354, 150 cars for the RAF, priced at £483 10s. 5d. Date of order was 6th Jan. 1945. Chassis numbers, 8660501 to 8660650.

Welcome any good photos on actual RAF Snipes as well.

Richard

Richard,

Just found this picture on http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk . The text with the picture says "the image below shows a great old Humber Pullman, serving the RAF at some outpost during WW2. " Unfortunately, I can not see any RAF numbers though...

Cheers,
Jan

[rewdco]

But the car on this picture is definitely an RAF vehicle: Austin 8.

Cheers,
Jan

[Rich Payne]

I found this one on the IWM site whilst looking for something else. Nice canvas !



It is a just post-war shot of R.A.F. disarmament operations in ocupied Germany

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by rewdco
Richard,

Just found this picture on http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk . The text with the picture says "the image below shows a great old Humber Pullman, serving the RAF at some outpost during WW2. " Unfortunately, I can not see any RAF numbers though...

Thanks Jan,

I don't think this Pullman is actually a military version, probably impressed, local purchase or requisitioned as it looks to have civilian features.

The Snipe I am rebuilding is outwardly the same as the army version, complete with roof rack for luggage. I would dearly like to see a good photo of one in NW Europe 44-45, possibly with 2TAF and showing detail of markings.

[Les Freathy]

Hi Richard

Not RAF i,m afraid but these pics may help if all else in TAC markings fail

2nd

3rd RASC Cairo

cheers
Les

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
Hi Richard

Not RAF i,m afraid but these pics may help if all else in TAC markings fail
cheers
Les

Thanks Les, all photos helpful with details.

The owner wants it in RAF finish, for historic commemeration events, it actually was an Air Ministry contract, so will perservere ..........

The 1941 model with the caravan is an unusual pairing, someone liked their comfort

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Les Freathy

the 30 cwt

With ref. to Les's post and attached photo, Nov.15th, 2007. I know of a Dodge cab and chassis just like this, for sale and restoration, no bodywork, had been used a farmers transport. A local chap came in today and said that it looks to have RAF blue under the paintwork. Has V5 rego document and is shown as first registered in 1948, from my resources, it seems this model was made from 1938 to 1942 and was extensively used by the RAF, so looks like it was war surplus.

Located in Kent

[George McKenzie]

I am restoring a 1942 Fordson Tracter That worked with the Lancasters during the war .It has the big head lights and dual wheels 6x36 on the back , It can go close to 40 mph .There is no fenders on it so it was very dangerous to drive .It would have hauled feul or bombs .I don't know of another one like it .It was brought to Canada after the war by a fellow from Edmonton before I got it George

[A CORBIN]

My FORDSON WOT 1 Should be at DUXFORD MT SHOW on the 15 JUNE .With the INTERNATIONAL FF3 CRASH TENDER . Both the same year the same job . Most probably the first time they would have been together. T CORBIN

[Larry Hayward]

During WW2 Malta was under siege from 1940 till 1943 so everyone on the island had to make do with whatever they could find and in the case of the RAF they converted an old Coach in to a fuel bowser! It looks like the tank is on the roof, rather than this being a double decker bus. I have no idea what type of coach it was but it looks to be a 1920-30's design.

[Nick Balmer]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

I have no idea what type of coach it was but it looks to be a 1920-30's design.

Larry,

It is almost certainly older than 1920. It is either an AEC or Daimler Subsidy Lorry from World War I. The AEC and Daimlers had a great many parts in common, as they manufactured bits for each others production.

It is possible that the bus is one of those used in France in 1914 / 18.

What a great find.

Malta is famous for running old buses. I expect it was second if not third hand.

Regards

Nick Balmer

[Alan McGuinness]

Nick, I don't think you are quite right. The bus looks like an AEC S-type, which were built in the 1920s.

[Larry Hayward]

Often its what is in the background of a photo that catches my eye; in this case a CMP 3 tonner with what appears to be an RAF roundel on the rear tub.

315 Polish Sqn was in the 2nd TAF when it got Mustang IIIs in March 1944 so this dates the photo to the same time judging by lack of foliage on the trees.

The CMP could just be a passing 2nd TAF vehicle and not necessarily one used by the Sqn, but it is the first Canadian CMP I have seen as all the other photos of 2nd TAF tend to show only British trucks in the 3 tonner category.

[Keith Webb]

Not to mention a perfect example of a CMP 'in the background'.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Often its what is in the background of a photo that catches my eye; in this case a CMP 3 tonner with what appears to be an RAF roundel on the rear tub.

Here's a picture of a 60-cwt truck in camouflage scheme plus RAF roundels - never seen this before.

I was told the picture was taken in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Seems like school kids are taken for a ride?

H.

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