Having the odd half hour to waste this afternoon (Mrs Biglorryblog told me: 'For heaven's sake...go and find something to do and get out from under my feet') I drop in at my local Territorial Army centre in Ashford on account of they're having an open day. And because there might be the odd blog picture too. And lo...here's the selection of top 'pie-quiz pictures' and questions. Starting with the easy one above---i.e. what is it?
Now this one---what is it, what does it do and by what acronym by which it's usually known? And for an extra pie what's it got on the back of this one?
Easy peasy this one. Big 6x6---but what is it? The tyre on the end of the crane is all part of a game--you use the remote control box to lower the tyre onto the cones...
Now this one is perhaps a touch more tricky. ''Don R' motorbike..but what make? It surprised me too when I looked at the side plate....
No worries on this one...I just took it because I liked the combined cab step and mug holder....
If you can guess this one BEFORE you click through to the rest of this blog then I'd say you were a proper military vehicle anorak...Nice chunky holder for the short-magazine Lee Enfield (Mk2 or 3?) Now click through here for a couple of real 'Dad's Army' Home Guard warriors
Yes...you're right the previous interior shot was from this little Bedford. Only before you say: "Don't tell me the British Army is STILL running these?" it was part of a display of 'Home Guard' Vehicles...Now how about this weird beast?
Six-wheeler with a jib out the front. What's all that about? And here's a shot from the other side too.
Can't figure it out? I'm too good to you lot. Here's a close up of the grille badge to help you.
And last but not least what's this...? And NO it's not the army's latest remote-control mine detection robot device....
Alright you 'orrible lot! Start posting for those pies!
Comments (6)
The motorbikes is a Harley Davidson.
Posted by Alan Drake | July 5, 2008 6:51 PM
Posted on July 5, 2008 18:51
Well, I don't know too much about old military vehicles in the UK, as we used different ones here; Ford V8s, Chevs, GMCs, Macks as well as Pioneers and Matadors, but....
The 8x4 is a Leyland/Scammell
The 6x6 has a Foden cab, so presumably is a Foden
The motorbike I think is an Armstrong, a few of which were also badged as Harley-Davidsons as H-D bought the Armstrong company. These had Austrian Rotax engines of various sizes.
Next an MK Bedford
Then the army equivalent of the O-model Bedford. Yes I got that before clicking through any further; anyone who has ever driven an O-model Bedford will never forget that gearlever with the reverse lift-up toggle on it and that steering wheel.
Then an Austin.
Now I'll wait for some military expert to give more exact details
Posted by Vic Hungerford | July 5, 2008 8:48 PM
Posted on July 5, 2008 20:48
Obviously Vic missed out saying that the Scammell S26 eight wheeler is known as a DROPS vehicle. Sorry I cannot remember what the letters stand for but they also summarise what the best vehicle in this collection of yours actually does.
Posted by Bob Tuck | July 6, 2008 6:15 AM
Posted on July 6, 2008 06:15
DROPS = Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System
The Leyland / Scammel is known as a
MMLC = Medium Mobility Load Carrier
Posted by 8Wheels | July 6, 2008 11:28 AM
Posted on July 6, 2008 11:28
Demountable Rack - Operated Pick up and loading System.
Posted by Richard Stanier | July 6, 2008 1:07 PM
Posted on July 6, 2008 13:07
The first picture looks like a Bedford RL or MJ that has had the cab removed to use as an instructional Chassis.
The small Bedford is an MW series and the wide bonnet was designed so the driver and passenger's legs fitted in an area either side of the engine (see photo of steering wheel area etc.) so that the overall height of the truck with the canvas tilt removed and windscreen folded was much less than the O series, making the truck much more difficult for the 'enemy' to spot.
The Austin K6 6x4 was a 'gantry' recovery and maintenance truck. The 'rail' above the cab could be moved to protrude out of the rear of the truck by the same distance, a chain and pulley block system ran on the rail and could be used to lift out tank engines etc in the field.
The final picture of an engine appears to be an intructional unit probably a Land Rover 2.25 diesel.
Posted by D Powell | July 6, 2008 6:37 PM
Posted on July 6, 2008 18:37