Info needed: Trailer socket Humber one ton

[Robert Sexton]

Hello Chris, I have a parts book for the trailer dated 1974. It shows a number plate bracket mounted about the mid point on the RH mudguard, it has the standard Butler illumination/convoy light above the mounting plate. The plate looks like all one pressing with a support at the top to match the curve in the mudguard.
My trailer had the remains of some steel conduit running from the chassis inside the RH mudguard to about that point,I had wondered about its use and assumed it had been added on maybe for after market indicators.I was remiss in not having a closer look,I am very much at the learning stage with the restoration game.
Just curious why the 1/76 scale,and you were correct about the chassis number.
Robert

[chrisgrove]

Hi Robert

Thanks for the gen on the number plate. The only query I have is about when you say the right mudguard. All the later ones I have seen have the number plate mounted on the outrigger to the left (looking from the rear) of the tailboard. But if there is a conduit for the cable on the right, that must be correct for the early ones. I understand you drive on the right (correct) side of the road (ie the left), so it seems unlikely that a trailer in Oz got the number plate on the other side!

What is the Butler convoy light - I've never heard of that? The ones I've seen have a plate, seemingly painted white, fixed under the trailer to the left of centre and \i have assumed that was the equivalent of the white painted differential form of convoy light, and would have had a lamp shining on it.

I have been making small scale models for 50+ years and all my British ones are in 1/76 as that was the only scale around (from Airfix) for army vehicles back in the 60s, so I don't want to change as then I can't display them together. But I have a lot of 1/72 ones too for French, Italian, Russian and post war German vehicles. 1/76 more or less matches the scale of the most common model railway models in UK, so I guess that was why Airfix chose it.

Chris

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by chrisgrove

What is the Butler convoy light - I've never heard of that? The ones I've seen have a plate, seemingly painted white, fixed under the trailer to the left of centre and \i have assumed that was the equivalent of the white painted differential form of convoy light, and would have had a lamp shining on it.

Hi Chris,
I think this is the FV number plate lamp, mounted at top of the number plate, it has a shield that can be turned to reduce the light emitted in blackout conditions. a similar lamp was fitted to the white convoy plate under the vehicle or trailer.
Looking at Robert's trailer it appears that there is a strip of metal standing proud down the right hand rear end of the body, where the tailboard shuts up, this could be the mounting point for the number plate on the early 1 ton trailers.
Richard

[Robert Sexton]

Hello Chris,I can't even think in the dimensions that you use or the fineness of the work. My good lady makes bobbin lace that does my head in for fineness ,skill and complexity.
Richard's description of the light is spot on.They were made by Lucas and common to many British vehicles, they were also fitted to the Australian made ACCO trucks and I had heard them referred to as "Butler"in that context. Richard is more likely to be correct than I.
My parts book says they are a Convoy/dashboard light,definitely fitted to the RH mudguard (offside)above the number plate.The Sankey trailer chassis included the mudguards in the build, the other uses(cargo body,water chiller,water tanker,generator) were added as a separate construction,all are attached between the mudguards and so present the same mudguard configuration.
Richard,the piece of steel that you can see in the pic I believe was added on by a previous owner as it had a length of chain attached and I presumed it was to hold the tailgate in a horizontal position.There is nothing in any of the publications or other pics that I have had that show any thing similar,the locking catches on the tailgate hold it in the vertical down position.
regards, Robert

[chrisgrove]

Hi Robert

I got on to Les Freathy (local modeller and author of several books on trucks) and asked him about the trailer. His answer was not encouraging, but he attached a pic of a water version of our favourite trailer which confirms exactly what you said about the number plate. I attach the pic - note it is from Les and for research only.

I also attach a pic of mine taken at the Beltring show a few years ago, which shows the white plate underneath which I assume is a form of convoy light. Now all I have to do is find (or make) some reflective Ts!

Chris