military bridging

[David Potter]

Les, that shot of QLC pontoon is very interesting!

I had heard that a there was a prototype (up to 6 converted?) QLC with FBE Mk3 trailer; this did not see active use as: a) not as maneouvareable as rigid 6x4 b) as you point out the Tasker semi-permanent coupling made trailer changes impracticable.

Note that the Australians used semi-trailers (but then Australia is a big country!) for Pontoon (without towers), FBE and SBG (I only have standard Conniford images but I am sure you have more!).

David

[Les Freathy]

Just for amusment here is a typical sign erected when bridges were completed

[Les Freathy]

One of the normal ways of transporting the US rubber pontoons by towed trailer, one other is the frame work fitted to the body of the GMC 6x6

[Les Freathy]

This photo i find facinating from a modellers point of view mainly because of its diorama potential, is there any body out there that makes bailey bridge frames in 1/76 scale i suppose etched metal would be the way these days i think i would go loopy trying to hand build all those cross sections. Interesting range of vehicles here including Bedford QLs, Ford WOT, Austin, Halftrack, jeep and a 3 ton CMP
cheers
Les

[David Potter]

Les,

My 1/76 Vernon diorama includes scale 600' of FBE (with 2 centre bays being replaced due to sheel fire) and Bailery Pontoon being built (same span but under construction).

AB make cast white metal Bailey bridges; they have currently supplied me with 500x Bailey panels, 300x Rakers, 200x Transoms 60x Pontoons etc......

There website is well worth a look:

http://www.abfigures.co.uk/british_b..._equipment.htm

FBE MkIII is resin casting from Trux (no longer in business).

(Very) slowly taking shape!

David

[David Potter]

Les,

Here are a few notes I found concerning QLC / FBE trailer combination and further UK FBE semi-trailer use.

"In late March 1943 there was a rush order for one Bedford QLC tractor 4x4-2. The order was dated 29 March and delivery was to be in first week of April. Clearly this was wanted in a hurry and would be taken from an existing contract. It is known that the vehicle was fitted with Bedford Tasker permanent semi-trailer equipment and was for use for a yet to be built FBE trailer. Vehicle H 5469698 was indeed delivered to the Directorate of Royal Engineer Equipment. The prefix H was unusual because vehicles of this type, with permanently fixed semi-trailers, were normally prefixed L. This suggests it was to be used with a specially designed detachable semi-trailer. It was obviously not a success as no more were ordered. There is however a reference to trials with a detachable semi-trailer for the QLC tractor but is reported that no practical or economic solution was found."

In reference to a War Establishment showing a 2 section Folding Boat Equipment Type A Platoon:

"Both the above unit and the 6 ton 4x2-2 semi-trailer lorries are somewhat of a mystery. The unit was not to replace the existing FBE platoon, there is ample evidence that these continued in use to the end of the (NW Europe) campaign. Perhaps this platoon was intended as transport for FBE raft equipment. The equal numbers of landing stage units and floating stage units would suggest this."

"The vehicles were presumably Bedford 6 ton 4x2-2 lorries but whether they were GS or flat-bed is not clear. They may even have had a special superstructure."

"Did a standard Bedford OY 4x2-2, which had a detachable semi-trailer, fill the role for which the QLC was intended? If so did it have a special body?"

As the saying goes; that gives food for thought!

Any comments anyone?

David

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David Potter

"Did a standard Bedford OY 4x2-2, which had a detachable semi-trailer, fill the role for which the QLC was intended? If so did it have a special body?"

Any comments anyone?

David,

This would be the Bedford OXC which was fitted with the Scammell coupling and used with tankers, flat and dropside trailers, and all manner of specialist trailers.

Incidentally the QL tractor you quote, Census no. H5469698 was part of Contract no. S2796 along with H5469699, described as "Tractor, 4x4, FBE and Pontoon".

[Noel Burgess]

I have some of the old "Modelworld" articles by Arthur North on militry bridging including notes on building 1/76 models.
Includes bailey bridge & bailey pontoon - which I could scan if anyone is interested.
Noel

[David Potter]

Noel,

As a Bailey fanatic I am interested in your Modelworld articles; I am lacking drawings for the distributing girders (triangular sections in photo below) which support landing bay to end floating bay on 4 pier landing bay raft.

I always believe that there is something new to be learned all the time so appreciate it when someone comes along with new information!

David

[David Potter]

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
David,

This would be the Bedford OXC which was fitted with the Scammell coupling and used with tankers, flat and dropside trailers, and all manner of specialist trailers.

Incidentally the QL tractor you quote, Census no. H5469698 was part of Contract no. S2796 along with H5469699, described as "Tractor, 4x4, FBE and Pontoon".

Richard,

Thank you for confirmation on QLC.

What the OXC quote was really meant to question was: what type of trailer was used? You are probably familiar with Australian FBE trailer (image below); was a similar trailer used in NW Europe, or were boats transported on "standard" flat-bed / GS?

Any ideas?

David

[David Potter]

A few more Vernon bridging images.

This time a D4 (used to prepare exit roadway from Bailey bridge) on Close Support Raft.

Post operation report stated that the Close Support Rafts (one on each flank of the assault) were underused "due to scepticism of their abilities on the part of Infantry Brigade commanders"!

[David Potter]

Vernon.

These next images are cinefilm stills so are somewhat blurred, but for me the subject matter warrants their posting!

10-RB loading shovel (used to demolish houses for Bailey bridge approach) passing M5 half track.

[Sapper863]

Hello Guys.

Looks like this thread has been stagnant for a long while
I keep refering to it but for some reason I can not expand David,s photos.

I am currently working on a range of WW2 British Bridging trucks and we are about to start on a Bailey Bridge model.

Hopefully this thread can start up again.

[Mike Cecil]

Don't forget to put the Bailey Bridge components transported by jeeps on your list.
Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Sapper863

Hello Guys.

Looks like this thread has been stagnant for a long while
I keep refering to it but for some reason I can not expand David,s photos.

I am currently working on a range of WW2 British Bridging trucks and we are about to start on a Bailey Bridge model.

Hopefully this thread can start up again.

Hello, are you Ian Hanratty?

Your account was set to inactive as you had not logged in for a long time. I have reset your account to active, please list your full name so we know who we are dealing with.

Thanks in advance.

[David Potter]

Vernon cinefilm still

D7 dozing Bailey bridge approaches.

[servicepub (RIP)]

1935

[Les Freathy]

OK guys i let that QLC run for a bit to see if some answers came up they did so here are theother two the FBE and not sure

[Les Freathy]

With all these specialist bridging trucks flying aruond the thread i suppose we must remember the role played by nomal GS trucks to carry componants such as this 3 ton QL

[cliff]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
With all these specialist bridging trucks flying aruond the thread i suppose we must remember the role played by nomal GS trucks to carry componants such as this 3 ton QL

here is 3 photos of a CMP tipper being used to haul Bridging components near Cairns Queensland.

All pics from AWM data base.

[David Potter]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
2nd

Les, Your second image is FBE framework; it is certainly carrying Sommerfeld Track; underneath the track rolls.....ahh! The girders are right profile for FBE but look very long (need to try and scale trailer length!); just looked at your FBE loaded trailer and, yes, the girders are same length! Not sure about other material between rolls and girders; too large for decking panels (they were only 3'10.5"x2'7.5"!); the poles could well be marker posts to give bridge alignment. Ummh! I need to think about this load!

David

[David Potter]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
David i,m looking at the Leylands but you will like this Thew Lorraine crane in British service constructing Bailey coponants
cheers
Les

Les, Here two more images of Thew Lorain MC in British service; they (maybe same crane, but are from different IWM photo collections) are unloading landing craft for Rhine crossing.

David

[David Potter]

Construction scene at St Hors Loup; Bailey over rail track.

Nice selection of vehicles!

[David Potter]

Slightly off-beat, but hardly off subject, here are a couple of images of Sir Donald Bailey with some models.

[David Potter]

RASC Bridging Company (FBE) moving up through Bretteville, 30 June 1944

[David Potter]

A couple of colour images of FBE in Italy.

[David Potter]

Manual labour.... FBE roadbearer weighed 380lb.

[David Potter]

Can anyone help indentifying following:

1. What number was carried by 128 Bridge Company RASC (operated in support of 30 Corps, also known as Boar Bridge Column - presumably in reference to 30 Corps symbol)?
I suspect 1317 or 1318 on RASC Green/Red square with GHQ reverse diagonal bar.

2. Indentity for 1205 on RE Blue square with Army Troops bar at bottom?
I suspect could be linked to 7 Army Troops Engineers.

Maybe some bridging vehicle enthusiasts have this information; otherwise I shall start a new thread to indentify obscure unit serial numbers - the Canadians units are relatively easy as they were the best documented forces!

David

[David Potter]

Vernon.

I found a clearer print of a earlier post; the stills photographer must have been standing next to cine-camera!

10-RB now at work; Loyd carrier behind (refueling?) armoured D7.

Stringers waiting to go on Bailey followed by chesses.

[Les Freathy]

Two more shots of the Brockway both loaded with inflatable pontoons