'I thought I would respond to your call for some Scammell Crusaders with an International theme,' says Richard Stanier.
'I cannot comment on the Crusader from an operator's viewpoint, but I always heard good things about them, and they were always near the top of my list as an enthusiast.'
The first picture is from a 1972 brochure for the Crusader (badged as a 'Leyland' for some export markets) entitled 'Designed to compete in International Road Transport. The brochure features Crusaders Down Under and in the Middle East. 'But I hope they didn't actually have the Middle East in mind when they chose the truck's name,' he adds.
This in-cab shot is a classic too - featuring standard issue Middle East gear for 1972 - a vest and sunglasses!
Finally here's a LHD Crusader 6x4 at a show. Richard thinks it's Earl's Court, but he can't be 100% sure.
Yes, I am pretty sure that photo was taken at Earl's Court too Richard. Don't you just love the double-skin roof, twin air intakes, almost horizontal steering wheel, Fuller 13-speed and Kysor radiator shutters too? Certainly evokes some fond memories! I am trying to remember the maximum plated weight for the 6x4. Was it 75-tonnes with the right driveline or was that the Samson?
Martin - the standard 6x4 Crusader was rated for 65 tons GCW which was something of a hoot with the way Scammell built so much strength into them. I recall stopping a 6x4 artic low loader (better keep the owner's name out of it) which had just travelled from the South Coast and was close to its drop off point near Hartlepool. When we weighed him off he was about 95 tonnes and was handling the extra 30 tons with no fuss. Scammell rated their sole 8 wheel Samson for only 75tons gross but didn't sell any more. Folk new the standard 6x4 could carry that weight - no problem. Don't forget Scammell also built a super strong version called the Amazon - also at 6x4 - which was rated for 100 tonnes GCW. Not too many of them were built - but more than one. I think Wynns may have had some (I'm sure they were the reason behind why they were built) BNFL and Vic Cooke from Beccles area of Suffolk? bought one of the last I think I said in a Scammell book of the past. What a Super Truck it was. Do the military still have some in service as wreckers?
Bob,
I believe Withams in Grantham handled the disposal of the last of the Crusader-based 6x4 wreckers. I think it was about 20 that were sold en-masse into Poland. They still retain one unit at their yard but when I was last there it wasnt for sale (along with an ex-military display unit Crusader tractor that likewise wasnt being disposed of). Their sales team believed that these were the last (out of how many originally supplied I have no idea) to be pensioned off by the MOD.
J
looking @ the differences The Scammell Samson had a 15 speed fuller i belive, Am i right Bob?
Operated a couple of Leyland Crusaders in Johannesburg in the late '70's. Detroit 8V71/13 speed Fuller but the weak point were the Leyland rear axles the input shaft to the foremost diff would turn off if the driver dropped the clutch too harshly and hub oil leaks also always a problem, if Rockwell axles had been fitted it I,m sure have been better.
Jowells Transport of Spingbok in the Northern Cape had quite a few but I belive what was reputed to be the largest fleet at the time was Heinz Motor and Diesel of Lusaka Zambia who had 65 that used to in those days work via Rhodesia into South Africa.