BigLorryBlog

Gladiators, Fireflys, Mossies, Mustangs, Sea Otters and Spitfires...they're all on Biglorryblog thanks to 'The Winkster'!

2008-07-06T20:37:50Z

The other day I blogged about my visit to the Shuttleworth Collection and how good it was for vintage plane/truck/car buffs. I also asked you the following questions regarding this Gloster Gladiator namely a) What was the name given to the three Sea Gladiators that provided the early air defence at Malta? and b) Look behind the right-hand undercarriage strut and you'll see a curved metal casting resting against the wall by the door...what is it from? Well most people got the first one (Faith, Hope and Charity) but only one person got question b) right.

So step forward Robert Winkelmann (AKA 'The Winkster') who had trouble posting his answer all the way from San Franciso in California (so I've done it for him). He tells Biglorryblog; "I claim a pie for the curved object leaning against the wall. It's the main suspension element for the Westland Lysander [correctamundo!]. As a 15 year old Sea Cadet in 1943 I spent 2 weeks at Yeovilton working in the hangar assisting the Fleet Air Arm Mechanics do retraction tests on Wildcats. This involved winding up the gear 28 turns with a hand crank in the cockpit, something I find hard to imagine pilots doing after taking off from a carrier in the heat of battle.As a treat I was given a ride in a Lysander, my first flight in a military plane, an experience which led to stint, ('45 - '48) in the Navy as an Airframes Mechanic.."

Well done Robert and if you click through here you'll find a fascinating resume of what happened to him when he emigrated to the USA..and a picture of a Firefly too!

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Those wings were certainly strong! Robert sent me a supplementary e-mail when we got to chatting back and forth (as I do with many BLB contributors) not least as it's no secret I'm a bit of an old plane buff....

"Hullo again Brian, I was crew chief on this particular plane, a Fairey Firefly in which I spent many flying hours in the back seat. The picture taken in 1947 in a period when my Squadron was flying Advanced Navigation Training for senior officers. The 736 was known as the 'gash kite' squadron, meaning all the oddball spare planes wound up in our care. Over a 2-year period we maintained 27 Seafire 17s, about the same number of Fireflys, a Mk 13 Mosquito, a TBM Grumman Avenger in which I also spent many hours flying over the Bay of Biscay. We also had a contra-propped Seafire Mk 37 flying out of a different squadron also based at St Merryn. But the most fun of all was a month of special duties flying an Air/Sea Rescue amphibious Supermarine Sea Otter.

With a crew of two, myself and a Petty officer pilot, we were on 'standby' in the control tower, ready to go at a moment's notice. Fortunately our services were not called upon to pick up any 'ditched' pilots but we spent 3 or 4 hours a day doing 'circuits and splashes'in the Channel off Padstow Harbour..

The 736 also spent a month servicing a Squadron of 'Sea Hornets' out of Fareham Airfield at Littlehampton. These were wild planes, very fast but too late for wartime service and soon to be rendered obsolete by the jet age. I was demobbed in July 1948 and spent the next couple of years working for BOAC at Heathrow until emigrating to America in 1950. In 1951 my brother Roy and I enlisted in the US Air Force where I again found myself on the flight line, this time in the 191st Fighter Bomber Squadron of P-51 Mustangs. But that's another story and since it's the Fourth of July I am going to celebrate my adopted county's Fireworks Day.

Finally, the 2nd picture shows how I earned my pie. As a machinist/mechanic for most of my life I was and still am intrigued by the design of the Lysander strut and took this picture on a visit to the Shuttleworth Collection a couple of years ago. Best wishes, Bob (The Winkster) Winkelmann."

Thanks Bob a great story and a fantastic CV of all the planes you worked on/our flew in. And an interesting round-robin in more ways than one---because if my memory serves me correctly,the Fairy Firefly and the P51 shared the same engine---namely the Rolls-Royce Merlin, albeit a licence-built 'Packard Merlin' in the case of the Mustang.

The demise of the UK truck industry...Biglorryblog asks, what did we do before the Continentals?

2008-07-06T17:16:42Z

Pay attention! 'The Boss' has communicated with me and says: "BLB, shame our British manufacturers didn't look out the window and didn't see the writing on the wall. Couldn't look into the future, made the mistake of not considering the driver as important." And as if to prove his point he's sent me these terrific selection of classic 70s waggons, some of which led to the demise of the UK industry...I'll leave you to work out which ones. Meanwhile The Boss concludes: "Trust you didn't spend the day at a rain sodden Truckfest..."

Well if nothing else this should please Pete Lynch in Oz..though not too many UK drivers I'd wager.

Mmmm..well even I wouldn't 'dis' this one. But compared to the Continentals I guess it was lacking...

And this was the one that started it all..never mind F86 it was the F88 and F89 that really put the cat amongst the turkeys...Now click through here for more from The Boss..

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The old SK Merc certainly had its fans...as did the Daf..

All of which begs the questions..brefore the Continentals rocked up UK drivers must have had their favourite...so what was it? Answers please anorak army..

Nicholas Tractomas heavy-haulage artics for ROTRAN. Biglorryblog has been wandering down the assembly line.

2008-07-06T12:10:35Z

Hmmmm....not exactly what you'd call your 'average truck aseembly line' is it?...But then these aren't exactly your average trucks. Despite all the clutter around them what do you think they are?

Whatever it is, it's certainly got any enormous bit of kit behind the cab..so does that give you a bit of a clue?

With an engine painted yellow like that it's just got to be a Caterpillar under the hood---and a pretty big one at that from the looks of it. Still don't get it yet?

And that cab seems like it could be from a Renault Premium...but it's like no Renault you've ever seen before. So what on earth are they? Well click through here and Biglorryblog will put you out of your misery.

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Yes...you knew it all along didn't you? It's some more of those monster Nicholas/Tractomas 8x8 ultra-heavy-haulers (like the one above) destined for Biglorryblog's mate in South Africa Dennis Child of heavy-lifting specialists ROTRAN. Along with these pictures Dennis says: "Hi Brian, 'under construction'---estimated delivery Port of Antwerp 1 September. Best regards, Dennis." I bet Dennis is already getting fidgety just waiting for his new babies to arrive! And who wouldn't?

Historic trucks and buses in a terrific newsletter from Roy Larkin, and a book on Fodens in New Zealand . Have you got your copy asks Biglorryblog?

2008-07-06T10:17:40Z

Roy Larkin of www.historicroadways.co.uk fame recently sent Bigloryblog this excellent little publication on behalf of The Roads and Road Transport History Association which he tells me: "Is my first attempt at publishing a newsletter." Well a cracking start reckons BLB. It's full of fascinating material, quite a bit of bus stuff, but don't be put off as Roy has done a very interesting piece on the use of French omnibuses to carry troops up to the frontline during the Battle of Verdun in WWI.

In issue one there's also a fascinating story and picture sent in by Chris Salaman on recovery operations in the early days of the Dartford Tunnel. It seems that, amongst other things, they used this Euclid earthmover---but replaced its earth-scraper artic body with a crane. Lateral thinking or what...? And it could pretty much turn on a half-a-crown.

And here is Chris's picture of it. Meanwhile, for a quick pie, what other tight-turning vehicles did the Dartford Tunnel use for lighter vehicles.....?

Roy welcomes contributions and comments via e-mail on Roy.rrtha@historicroadways.co.uk

I found it a great read and can't wait for issue number two Roy!

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And speaking of good reads, BLB's regular contributor Vic Hungerford in New Zealand has very kindly sent me a copy of "Foden in New Zealand" written by Graeme Carter and David Lowe. It's a beautifully illustrated and produced book with great stuff in it charting the life and times of Fodens in NZ up to the very last Alphas. I loved every minute of it. You can find out more about it by going to www.gtcarterbooks.co.nz (ISBN no 0-476-00486-1) or e-mail gtcarter@clearnet.nz

So why is Vic so interested in me having a copy? Because on the top right of page 43 there's a 'Mickey Mouse' Foden tanker he used to drive for Mobil. Vic tells me: "I know this is the actual,truck I drove as Mobil only ever bought one of them. I loved driving it, the sound that two-stroke motor made as you worked up and down the 12-speed gearbox was just magic!" Thanks for the book Vic...Mrs BLB has already banned me from reading it in bed---so it MUST be good!

Those fabulous Sixties on Commercial Motor....Biglorryblog wallows in nostalgia!

2008-07-06T09:49:40Z

Whilst wandering around the recent vintage and classic truck show at Gaydon I bought half a dozen old copies of CM (six for a tenner...good value says I) from May 1966 to November 1967 and what a fascinating time capsule they proved to be...charting the changes taking place in the manufacturing industry at the time. So I thought I'd scan in a few of the old ads for your amusement...and throw in a pie quiz while I was at it. So for a start, above, if the twin-steer was called a 'Trunker' what did they call the 4x2? And Bob Tuck I expect YOU of all people to get this right!

208hp in a tractor? Have you gone bleedin' mad? Yes and all ready to pull at UK regs too, from the July 71967's edition of CM---but what WAS the then UK artic gross weight limit? And judging by the ad copy in those days operators clearly liked their wheelbase measurements to be 'precise'! (At the time we were going metric, inch-by-inch)

Here's one especially to please 'The Brochure King'....brakes...what brakes? That ad slogan 'Designed and tested to dominate' appeared throughout the mid-60s. So what was so special about the Big J's brakes then Richard?

Hmmmm...what was that esxpression about from little acorns...mighty oaks do grow?

From 1966, the new International Harvester Loadstar range. 'Built in Britain' it said proudly ion the ad. But (for a pie) where exactly in Britain? Meanwhile, when Volvo switched production of the F10 and F12 briefly to Irvine in the late eighties CM ran the headline 'Made in England'. Ouch! My phone was red-hot for the next fornight with angry Scots readers chewing on their sporrans whilst telling me that Irvine WASN'T in "$%&*@~ England yer @'*&6$% Sassenach!!!! (look I said I was very, very sorry...it's time to move on....OK)

In fact I didn't even know that IH trucks were made in the Uk until I reade a piece in Classic and Vintage Tractor magazine which had a feature on the assembly plant where they were made...mmm have I given the game away?

Now click through here for a classic CM cover ..in colour from March 1967.

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"There's no sweeter 16-tonner on the road today than the Mercury.." ran the front cover ad. And dig the daring hemline at (gasp) knee level too But now for the pie...what famous London thoroughfare is the Mercury driving along? Aha...Got ya!

Clutchslip spots Avia 12-tonner

2008-07-05T20:46:37Z

It may be slow to appear in the UK, but here is definite proof that Avia's 12 tonne version exists, Spotted by CM in a truck stop on the outskirts of Slovakian capital Bratislava. Why CM was in Bratislava is another story you can read soon.

Big timber B-Triples and a Western Star Mailbox..where else but on Biglorryblog?

2008-07-05T16:31:04Z

The other day I happened to mention to 'Keeper of the Flame' Martin Phippard that I hadn't heard from him for a while and he sent me this shot of a magnificent Kenworth B-triple timber truck and the message: "Do I ever let you down?" No Martin...and one good turn deserves another...so how about this for a story?

What do you get the truck operator who has everything, including a custom garage next to their house which takes a wonderful Western Star (go visit http://www.westernstar.com/ ) 4900 EX with 82-inch High Roof Stratosphere sleeper? Obviously a replica Western Star mailbox and that's exactly what Dennis and Nadine Creps, owners of Midnight Express Trucking, have outside their gaff in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. "We wanted something different when we built the house," Dennis tells Biglorryblog. "So, we found someone in Havasu who custom builds a lot of different types of mailboxes, and commissioned him to create ours." The all-metal mailbox took about two months to construct, and weighs about 65lbs. "My mailbox and my garage say it all - there's nothing like being on the road with my Western Star, and there's nothing like showing it off here at home!" adds Dennis. And who would argue with that? And Martin click through here for another treat.....

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Happy?

The Road Transport Industry...Thomas Hardie aims to recuit the next generation with its 'Little Trucks Club'. Biglorryblog has the story.

2008-07-05T16:17:24Z

Start 'em young, says Biglorryblog, and you'll keep 'em forever! What is BLB blathering about now? Well nothing except that Volvo main dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials has launched an interactive website & membership club called the 'Little Truckers Club' www.littletruckersclub.com to give kids under the age of seven a greater understanding of the logistics industry.

Through the world of Tommy Truck, Carrie Curtain Sider, Wilson Wagon and Co. at Hardie Haulage the company wants to: "Inspire, educate and motivate children about the industry... we want them to have fun and learn about the diverse and interesting roles that it offers." Not a bad aim at that, says BLB, especially when you consider that the business is chronically short of young recruits, especially women, thanks to "....a stereotypical image projected by the industry which many may relate with long working hours, a dirty and male-orientated environment and poor career prospects." Now click through here to read how they're going to do it.

]]> The Volvo distributor reckons its Little Truckers Club's aim is the first step towards educating kids about the business in an enjoyable, fun and friendly way. "It's the 1^st membership club and website of its type to be launched to help children learn about the logistics industry. Every member who signs up will receive their very own personalised membership pack and access to the member's only section of the clubs website. The website is very colourful and offers many fun activities, educational games, downloads, image gallery and character profiles to help the children learn through play."

And there's more, for the Little Truckers Club is also producing a series of children's illustrated books as well as visiting schools equipped with an interactive mobile classroom which will enable the club to educate children on subjects connected to the industry, from environmental issues to road safety.

To take Little Truckers Club to the next level, an LTC steering group compiled of influential companies and individuals within the transport industry has been set-up to help drive the success of the club. "With their support and buy in we can secure the future of the club," Says Thomas Hardie. Well it certainly gets my vote says BLB, how about yours?

Australian Mack trucks. A proper 'Bulldog Bruiser' on Biglorryblog thanks to Cam.

2008-07-05T15:38:15Z

'Cam' in Australia has been looking at the recent postings on Biglorryblog concerning Aussie heavy hitters and has sent me this splendid selection of a very neat 'Big Macks' to go with all the trimmings.

Apparently he thought this was the same truck I posted earlier, albeit with a new colour scheme but he now tells me: "I had another look on your site and it`s not the same one,though it was a flash bit of gear,all the mural`s and paint etc were perfect---before it was repainted in Skelton`s colours,and they only had it for about 6 months or so before they sold their fleet,which was only about 2 weeks ago.All the best,Cam."

Here's the back end of it which looks like it's ready for business either with a semi-trailer or a drawbar.

'Gangster Paradise' indeed....that's a mean old dog for sure.

Now click through here for a rather strange looking gearlever that has Biglorryblog foxed...

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Amd here it is..looking at the picture I can't work out whether it's two sticks or one stick with an extra knob fitted to it. Can you help Cam?

See what I mean, and if it is an extra knob...what's it for?

Anyway if I understand Cam correctly this is the same truck but in a different 'after' colour scheme..? (And if I've cocked it up Cam I'm sorry! Put if down to old age). Either way great pix of a great truck and thanks.

The World's-Fastest Volkswagen. How about a 260hp 'Van-tastic' Caddy....Biglorrylog says it's better than F1 any day!

2008-07-05T15:20:19Z

"And remember kids...don't try this at home!" says Biglorryblog! What we have here is the fastest van on two wheels...and what happens when you let some joker develop a 260hp racing version of a Volkswagen Caddy 2.0-litre TDI. Indeed the speedy Caddy has already claimed a podium finish three times so far this season in the hotly-contested Volkswagen Racing Cup (and for information of the Volkswagen Racing Cup go to www.vw-cup.co.uk ).

Apparently it's fast-enough to share the starting grid with various other VW 'performance vehicles', like the Golf GTI, R32 and Beetle RSI, And it's proved to be extremely competitive too. Though one wonders if that might be because they leave the back doors open allowing the normal load of sand and cement to err...fall out? No of course not...lose that idea immediately BLB. Anyway click through here for more and another picture of the flying VW.

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In the race at the Rockingham circuit in May, the Caddy's regular driver and a previous director of VW Commercial Vehicles, Peter Wyhinny, set a fastest lap and came close to creating a British motorsport first when the Caddy van achieved its best-ever result coming in less than half a second behind the winning Golf GTI. "That was completely exhilarating, the best drive of my life," Peter tells BLB, "the Caddy is extremely competent and tremendous fun on the race track." I'll bet it is....

Meanwhile, Roger Green from EVO magazine has also successfully raced the Caddy van this season and achieved a third-place podium finish in rounds one and two at Oulton Park. With six rounds of the VW Racing Cup still to come, the Caddy van has some more opportunities to deliver successful results. And for your information, the next races take place at Brands Hatch (13 July), Silverstone (17 August), with the finale at Donnington Park (12 October).

The Territorial Army...or 'Dad's Army'? Biglorryblog drops on on his local TA Centre and finds a couple of old Home Guard warriors on display.

2008-07-05T14:49:35Z

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

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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!

Looks like we've got ourselves a 'Convoy'. Well a T-cab Scania anyway says Biglorryblog.

2008-07-04T17:52:13Z

Remember Biglorryblog recently asked you about the truck interior that was all in the pink? Well thanks to Road Rat,the man who took the original picture, I can put you all out of your misery. But first you need to click through here where all will be revealed.....

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Yes it belongs to Coles' mega-bling Topline T-Cab Scania tractor complete with 'Convoy' airbrushed murals...

So for a pie, who was the female lead in "Convoy"?

Macks and ERFs...now there's a combination says Biglorryblog. What's a blogger to do?

2008-07-04T17:40:50Z

That Rod Simmonds...he's always asking me difficult questions. Like "Now which truck would you like??" Hmmm....tough call. Bonneted behemoth...or plastic fantastic. Like I say, tough call.

Commer over my house with your Chapatti flour! Classic trucks on Biglorryblog

2008-07-04T17:20:00Z

'King of the Classics' Bob Tuck has very kindly decided not to b#ll#ck Biglorryblog for not knowing something about an old truck and instead sent me these pictures of a beautifully-restored Commer and he says: "Brian, thought you might like the attached which follows on to a recent posting. I did a big feature on this vehicle and its owner recently for a magazine called Classic & Vintage Commercials."

Bob goes on to say: "The vehicle started life in 1960 as one of the big Rolls-Royce fleet based at Derby but it was bought as a wreck in 1983 and restored by the Howell family to move their collection of old tractors around. However it was far too slow for them so it was replaced in that job by a quicker Maxiload."

David Howell was only about 6 when he first rode in the motor but he decided that when he got married, he wanted the fully restored vehicle as a backdrop - and that's what he did. The River Sowe Mills livery is the name of an old company ran by the Howell family."

And here's a picture of the happy couple in front of the Commer just to prove it too...And I'll have a glass if there's one going..cheers! Now click through here for more.

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Bob continues: "The father & son, Charles and David Howell, both refer to the model as a Commer QX but when I looked at the registration document, it was referred to as a CDY 762. Meanwhile, the father & son mill specialist chapatti flour in deepest Staffordshire and we did a nice feature in Truck & Driver a year or two back on delivering that bagged flour round the houses in the West Midlands using David's smart Eurocargo 7.5 tonner. However, I always thought that TS3 stood for three cylinder two stroke - how wrong can you be?. So what does it stand for? Cheers Bob!"OK put the man out of his misery Biglorryog anorak army.

New Zealand scenery. Vic's travels with his International B-Train tanker....only on Biglorryblog.

2008-07-04T17:02:03Z

Vic Hungerford, Biglorryblog's 'other' Krafty Kiwi has just sent me these pictures and the message: "Hi Brian, I've just returned from a four-day trip with 'Grandad's Mobility Scooter' [i.e. Vic's immaculate International tractor] around the top half of the South Island and took my camera with me as the forecast was for lots of snow and ice. That didn't happen, but you might like to have a look at a few of the photos anyway. Regards, Vic."

Well Vic I think you're a lucky man..not everyone gets to ark their B-Train tanker outfit next to the house at night! Anyway let's hit the road with Vic shall we?

And what are those mountains in the background Vic? Mordor?

Plentyn of snow on the tops of them anyway. And what's that growing in the field..Raspberries? Grapes?

Country roads...take me home. That cheeky b#gger Rod Simmonds has obviously seen the pictures as he says: "When I have time I'll teach you how to use a camera!" Well I don't think you need anything other than a telephoto lens to 'pull-in' the background.

You see? Even with a bit of cropping with a normal lens it works. Is that a riding school sign?

It's true what they say about the New Zealand landscape...breath-taking! Now click through here for a couple more from Vic.

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And nice wide roads too...heaven.

Save me a space Vic...Biglorryblog is on his way.