britsh forward control 3 ton trucks

[Les Freathy]

Following conversations with a fellow member we have agreed to start a thread based on the British built 3 ton 6x4 forward control trucks or cab overs to some of you, some have been covered in other various threads ie recovery etc so this one will study the cargo, office, machinery and all other various applications that were fitted to them. Hopefully it will create a lot of comments and prehaps we can all learn a little more on the subject, so to start i have attatched 3 photos of aAlbion and Thornycroft
cheers
Les

1, Thornycroft Tartar WOF/AC4/1 cargo or general service

[Les Freathy]

2nd, a Albion BY5 cargo with the late all steel body fitted

[Les Freathy]

3. Thornycroft Tartar with photographic developing body used by Royal engineers survey units

[Keith Webb]

More info and pics here.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

[Rich Payne]

On the basis that a 4x4 has slipped on to the thread already, I thought that I would take a chance and submit this 1940 image of a forward control Foden 4x2 (I think) abandoned during the fall of France.




It is a French ECPA image taken from "Motos Militaires" by Patrick Negro.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Has anyone got a photo of a pre-war Karrier Spider FC 4x4 please? Also Guy Lizard?

[Noel Burgess]

Thought this one was interesting -
KID 3984:Leyland Bull Terrier, 3-ton, 6 x 4, Lorry fitted with mobile workshop body and with a mobile workshop trailer.
C1930

[Jan Mostek]

One of the best known vehicles belonging to this class is definitely Leyland Retriever with captured house body used by Monty as a caravan. But does anybody know any picture of the original vehicle which was fitted with this body? It should be italian Lancia 3RO-N. I know it is not exactly the truck covered by this thread but the consequence is obvious...

Happy searching
Jan.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

This photo was taken from BRITAIN AT WAR IN COLOUR and shows Monty at his mobile HQ 12 June 1944. Note Leyland Retriever L 4410754 from the batch L 4410454-4410860, V.3929, "Lorry 3-ton 6 x 4 Machinery". However the query from my contact, Guy expert Robin Hannay relates to the lorry which is at right angles..Robin believes that it is a Guy [see thread relating to the reputed armoured command post used by Monty in the Desert]. He says it appears to be a Guy becase they were the only manufacturers who had a conical end on their half-shafts: it's certainly not he says an Ant/Quad-Ant, Lizard or Petrol-Electric.

Click 'ere

[Jan Mostek]

If we are speaking about the vehicle shown below on right, I would say that the 6 spoke wheels look very American. I have not seen any British threetonner with this type of wheels, but there would be a logical conclusion, the vehicle could be Mack NR with the house type body which was a part of teh Montys mobile post and now is a part of exhibition in Duxford.

[Jan Mostek]

The Mack I mentioned above is shown here. Compare also the canvas-covered house body.

[Les Freathy]

Glad to see this thread back on track, now here is a item i would like to gain further info on if possible this Crossley IGL is dated around 1937/8 and features a large folding crane i believe of Ransome manufacture can anyone add further data as to its main purpose. It is certainly a cumbersome beast and could have some links to bridging
Cheer
Les

[Les Freathy]

Leyland Retriever gantry recovery in the desert

[Les Freathy]

Crusader gets an engine change most likley from a Retriever

[Pete Ashby]

Hello Les

Good thread you have here,

yes the gantry is on a Retriever, the hubs are the clue having just refitted and shimmed mine I can confirm this.

It never fails to impress me with the standard and quality of build used in these early war British trucks, the fact that at this stage of the war they were still very much hand built is still very evident.

It makes working on them a sheer joy

Pete

[Hendrik van Oorspronk]

OK, I also think it is a Retiever, but the engine looks a bit strange, Could it be a gear box?

Hendrik

[Les Freathy]

Yes you are probably correct Hendrik it doe,s look like the gear box, i do not have much in the way of detailed layout on armour but as this make of tank was driven from the rear sprocket it makes sense. I forgot about your Retriever Pete hows it coming along. cheers
Les

[Pete Ashby]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
I forgot about your Retriever Pete hows it coming along. cheers
Les

Slow but sure would be an accurate description I think Les,

things like work, life and other projects keep getting in the way.

I'll find a recent picture to post under this thread and perhaps a couple from my archives

Regards

Pete

[Jan Mostek]

What do you think about the picture below, is it Retriever or Austin Breakdown Gantry? Czechs used at least one of each.

[Les Freathy]

Hi Jan
Thats a rear view of the Austin K6
cheers
Les

[Les Freathy]

Pre war 6x4s are to be included in this thread so to start this off here are a couple of Guy FBAX 3 tonners, the first a circa 1936 GS and the second a even earlier FBAX from the 1930 period here in use as a 60cm searchlight portee, note the early type crew cab and the overtracks stowed on the running board. This is a IWM photo from the Kidbrooke collection most of which are not on the web site so mr IWM any chanceof incuding some more in the near future
Les

[Les Freathy]

2nd

[Les Freathy]

A Thornycroft 3 ton on overtracks during pre war trials

[Jan Mostek]

Here are three pictures from AEC Marshall service manual.

[Jan Mostek]

here is left view

[Jan Mostek]

and finally right view