British Airborne Trailers

[Jonnie]

Can anyone guess was what range they sell for? I am trying to find out as I have a line on one. Does type I or type II make a difference?

Jonathan

[Hanno Spoelstra]

There are a couple offered for sale at MilWeb:

Jeep trailer
Belived English WW2 v good condition, roadworthy, 6 volt system,spare wheel genuine offers no time wasters.
07741 056414
Dave Harrison <harnfk@aol.com> 10 February '05

and:

British Airborne Trailer
A complete original first pattern British WW2 Airborne trailer complete with Ministry Of Supply data plate, new canvas cover, duckboards and spare wheel. £1300.
07876 682721
Tim Taylor <timtaylor796@hotmail.com> 06 January '05

HTH,
Hanno

[Jonnie]

Well, yes. One is sold, one is not. I was trying to get an idea of the cost so I know what I am doing, thanks.

Jonathan

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
There are a couple offered for sale at MilWeb:

Hanno,

The first picture is of a Trailer 1/2 ton Cargo Lightweight No.2. One of Contract no. S7943 for 1,000 trailers and made by Motor Panels Ltd. This was not an airborne trailer, that was No.1 as in second picture. The body of a No.2 was longer.

They were made late in the war. We bought one in the mid eighties, that had been released from the Norwegian Army and it had a wartime dated Canadian tyre fitted.

Richard

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
The first picture is of a Trailer 1/2 ton Cargo Lightweight No.2. One of Contract no. S7943 for 1,000 trailers and made by Motor Panels Ltd. This was not an airborne trailer, that was No.1 as in second picture. The body of a No.2 was longer.

Thanks Richard, I noted the detail differences, but not having mudguards I thought it was an airborne version.

H.

[Rob van Meel]

TRAILER, 10 Cwt. LIGHTWEIGHT, GENERAL SERVICE

Here is some of the info that I published in my British Airborne Jeep book. Incidently with the two active British airborne division about, most of the Clockwork Mouse James' were not airborne but used by other units, incl. beachmaster on D-day. The correct name for your James ML would be Motorcycle, Lightweight, 125 cc, James ML!

The same goes for the 'airborne" trailer: proper name: Trailer. 10-cwt, lightweight!

The Trailer, 10 cwt. Lightweight, General Service, was used by nearly all units of the British Army. Because of its high sides it could even float! At the rear the trailer had a towhook so that one vehicle could tow more than one trailer. It seems to have been normal practice to make a "Road Train" where two jeeps would tow three trailers, but a combination like that would have lost some of its stability whilst on the move especially when braking. Standard tyre size was 5.00" x 16", but 5.75" x 16" and 6.00" x 16" tyres also seem to have been used.

No 1 , mk 1 were built by Orme Evans to contracts S663 and S2559 with WD census numbers X4939020 - 4940455 and 5274487 - 5278086. Brockhouse built one! to contract S683 with census number X4940656 and SS Cars Ltd built these to contracts S2555 and S2786 wth censusnumbers X5278091 - 5281740 and 5845741 - 5845932 (chassis numbers SS AB 1-3842 on these). No1, mk 2 were built by both Orme Evans and SS Cars. The no.2 was built byMotor Panels Ltd to contract S7943 and had census numbers X6208181 - 6210180.

Several other trailers based on the Trailer, 10 cwt. Lightweight, General Service were made. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) developed several for use by REME Airborne units. These trailers seem to have been constructed by the REME section of the (May 1943 established) Airborne Forces Development Centre (AFDC), based at Amesbury Abbey, Wiltshire in cooperation with the REME Central Workshops, Old Dalby. Two type of lightweight trailer, based on the trailer, 10 cwt, lightweight were also developed for use by Airborne units belonging to the CRE.

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers trailer types:
-1- Generator trailer; power: 5 kW., 110 V. direct current, for mechanical equipment of other trailers.
-2- Tool trailer with lathe, two portable electric drills and a double grindstone for all reparations.
-3- Signal generator communication equipment.
-4- Electrical repair: with drills, grind- and polishmachines, installation for distilled water (1 imp gallon/hour) and several testing equipment.
-5- Welding trailer: 250 Amp. electric with own generator and oxy-acetylene torch.

Royal Engineers trailer types:
-1- Air compressor trailer (60 cu. ft. per minute on 110 PSI)
-2- Circular saw 28" diameter, with engine drive.

In some War Establishments other trailers based on the Trailer, 10 cwt. Lightweight, General Service are mentioned eg. Trailer, Box and Trailer, Office.
In 1943 the REME section of the AFDC also designed a special "Airborne" 100 gallon water trailer. Possibly this water trailer was also based on the chassis of the lightweight trailer.

At Arnhem each battalion had a R.Signals section with a fully equipped radio Jeep and a trailer with radio, generator and stores. These two radio stations were transported in different gliders, in order to minimalise the change of being without Wire Less. As far as our information goes, the radio sets in these wireless trailers were Wire Less Station no 76 and Receiver no. 107. In leaflet no. 565A (provisional), from Signals Research and Development Establishment (SRDE) based in Somerford, Christchurch, Hants, dated 1945, a trailer, 10 cwt is described fitted with Wireless Set no. 76 and Reception Set 209. However the trailer seems to be an American Bantam trailer! So during over the Rhine 6th A/B Division R.Signals may have been using these trailers.

On Trailers, 2-wheeled, Lightweight we have found a Chilwell publication WO code 5461 dated March 1949, which supersedes Chilwell catalogue Nos. 34/134, 34/135, 34/136, 34/138, 34/137, 34/139, 34/141 and 34/182. From this post war document we here reproduce the following drawings: If any of our readers are in the possession of the above mentioned superseded Chilwell publication, we would gladly receive a copy.

Rob van Meel

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Rob van Meel
Here is some of the info that I published in my British Airborne Jeep book.

Thanks Rob, very informative!

Here are some detail pics: http://visualcollector.com/OBLI/Trailer.htm

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Jonnie
Well, yes. One is sold, one is not. I was trying to get an idea of the cost so I know what I am doing, thanks.

To further help you in your research: this one http://www.clementstrading.com/VEHIC02.html was advertised for 1550 Euro and has now been sold. "But for what price?" you will wonder.

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Jonnie
Can anyone guess was what range they sell for?

Here's another couple, last owner was the Greek Army, both are offered for sale for EUR 2500 at www.ww2surplus.com.

HTH,
Hanno


No.1


No.2

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
There are a couple offered for sale at MilWeb:

And another one:

British airborne trailer
GS type no 2 wooden box with tailgate, ideal for spares or rebuild. £500.ono.
07956 284 124
Danny Butler 06 April '05

[Hanno Spoelstra]

MilWeb ad:

British Airborne 10cwt trailer.
Fully restored.New tyres,correct rear tow hook and T plate £1,400.
07966 173219
Nick Penistan 08 August '05

[Rolf S. Ask]

Not sure if that is the correct tow hoock on that tail-end...
Here is my trailer... ohh and me standing behind it. Photo taken during a competition on our last MV-meeting using two trailers when "going bacwards" (in lack of any good english word)

Rolf

[Neil Ashley]

A few pictures of the Compressor version of this trailer.

Does any one know if this family of specialist trailers were produced specifically for airborne use, or did they see wider service?

Quite how many also saw service before the end of the war is also questionable. In the book 'With Spanners Desending', the history of REME in First Airborne Div, the first mention of machinery trailers is during the occupation of Denmark at the end of the war.

This trailer is sold and is awaiting collection by its British Airborne collector.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Neil Ashley
Does any one know if this family of specialist trailers were produced specifically for airborne use, or did they see wider service?

Not sure about that, the relevant pages from Data Book of Wheeled Vehicles: Army Transport 1939-1945 do not mention any specific use.


click image for a large size scan

[Richard Farrant]

According to the official account of REME activities during WW2, the specialist trailers are described as so;

"Lightweight Airborne Workshop Trailers

Introduced in july 1942 primarilly to meet the needs of REME Workshops, Airborne Division. They were also used by RE, RASC and RE"

Their weight was kept to a minimum, even so the average total trailer weight was around 15 cwt.

I have come across some of these trailers still in service with the British Army during the '80's.

Richard

[Alex van de Wetering]

Here is one that was on display at the Market Garden remembrance, last month.

I heard that a Dutch surplus dealer bought a couple of them for their engines, a few years ago.

Sorry, I don't have more info about their use.

Alex

[Neil Ashley]

Can anyone confirm the engine type used to power these trailers.

I have been told Austin but I would have expected possibly Ford or Morris.

[Les Freathy]

Hi Neil

I have a number of data sheets on various airborne and lightweight trailers but all seem to be reluctant to give the engine type in fo except the 5kw generator which is powered by a Fowler type 2 pbm engine and in brackets it states wx.oo66
hopes this helps
cheers
Les

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Neil Ashley
Can anyone confirm the engine type used to power these trailers.

I have been told Austin but I would have expected possibly Ford or Morris.

Neil,

Looking at your photos, I would say for sure, that it is an Austin 10 engine, more than likely the larger version as used in the Tilly, because it has a water pump mounted on front plate adjacent to the engine mounting.

[Godwin Hampton]

Definitely an Austin Utility engine, the only difference being a vertical magneto instead of the distributor.

I know because a friend of mine bought an engine for a Utility he is restoring from a chap who had 'modernised' an airborne welding trailer by fitting a 'more economical' diesel engine!

Some people never learn.......

[Higgins]

I see on Beltring show "airborne mobile kitchen", and think long time about this trailer, my question is - its war time official production for airborne forces or its only private project?

Higgins

[Neil Ashley]

I don't think this version is featured in any manual so unless they were made at local level by converting other models, they do not exist.

The only kitchen trailers I have ever seen in British Army service appear in pictures of Polish troops in the UK.
They appear to have manufactured a number to fit in with previous Polish Army practice.

Someone with the Chilwell list could look up that serial number (if original) and see what ther trailer started off life as.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Neil Ashley

Someone with the Chilwell list could look up that serial number (if original) and see what ther trailer started off life as.

That number comes up as a lorry, 6x4, crane, turntable, various, ex-RAF and ex-Admiralty.......so no clues there on this trailer!

[Higgins]

Thanks for answer,

I see, in deatail, this field kitchen trailer and its very profesional work,

this side boxes is similar to Coventry Climax trailers (generator or welder)

but chassis is diferent, think is similar to compresor trailer.

and both ovens it orig. wartime military model.

Ovens idea is similar to post war Ben Hurn mobile kitchen.

But on wieu its very, very nice and interesting trailer!

Maybe was made only few trailers in field workshop, airborne unit?

Oh, and what is it this one small scale model "Field kitchen pre-war British

army"

Think on this small model are two ovens?

Tomas