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David Potter 22-06-07 15:58

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A couple of colour images

David Potter 22-06-07 16:00

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Hendrik,

You might be able to tell me where these next two were taken; buildings look flemish: Belgium or Netherlands?

David Potter 22-06-07 16:04

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Pictures are from a French source, but the buildings are definitely Northern France, Belgium or Netherlands!

Oh...and this will be the last US image from me (although I do have some good clear shots of Quickway cranes on Coleman 4x4 and Corbett 6x4 chassis; if anyone is interested privately I can send - unless Les authorises me to post here!)

David

David Potter 22-06-07 16:28

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Back on a British subject!

These are the stormboats as shown in Les's picture of Karrier K6; they look a bit more substantial (heavy!) when being manhandled than when sitting stacked on the back of a 3 tonner!

David Potter 22-06-07 16:50

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Assembling FBE Mk3 rafts (to replace two floating bays hit by shelling during the morning 27 August 1944) on River Seine at Vernon.

Hendrik van Oorspronk 22-06-07 17:04

Quote:

Originally posted by David Potter
Pictures are from a French source, but the buildings are definitely Northern France, Belgium or Netherlands!

David

Buildingd aren't from the Netherlands, I looks like northern France to me.

Hendrik

David Potter 22-06-07 17:15

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Les,

This shot is from Rhine crossing; this is a bit of a bridging cum crane post!

2 Coles cranes are visible.

In the background is "normal" Army EMA MkVI with Ford 10HP engine / generator (as fitted to Austin K6 and Diamond T 975 in 44-45; also fitted early war to Crossley IGL8 and Leyland Retriever).

In the foreground is a MkVII (without on-board generator); this is normally associated with RAF Thorneycroft Amazon, RAF AEC 0854 (with seperate Ford V8 generator) and RAF Leyland Retriever (image in following post).

I have heard that the Army also used MkVII on Leyland Retriever with generator driven by PTO (interesting because chassis also supposedly fitted with winch!) but have not seen complete photographic evidence; unril now? The tyres look big (13.50-20?) so this may be an Amazon, pity we can not see cab!

Les, my main question / request is: do you (or another forum member) have a late war (21st Army Group) image of a Leyland Retriever with Coles MkVII?

David

David Potter 22-06-07 17:22

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OK, so this is a post war shot of RAF Leyland Retriver Coles MkVII; did 21st Army Group use the same model in NW Europe?

David Potter 22-06-07 17:34

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Another Leyland Retriever, this time a pontoon body having already unloaded it's pontoons waiting to cross David (FBE) bridge with junction posts, rollers and grillage to start construction of Goliath (Bailey) bridge on far bank of River Seine.

I will order a clearer phot from IWM so that I can read formation signs!

Les Freathy 22-06-07 20:11

Cant be boring or off subject David, this thread is what it says it is and is intended to cover all aspects of military bridging so keep going
cheers
Les

Les Freathy 22-06-07 21:31

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David i,m looking at the Leylands but you will like this Thew Lorraine crane in British service constructing Bailey coponants
cheers
Les

David Potter 22-06-07 22:04

Les, Of equal interest is Ruston Bucyrus skimmer boom sitting in the foreground; also interesting to see what the squaddie is closing on the left - tail doors from QLT?

I will post a couple of Quickway shots tonight, otherwise early to bed - doctors orders!

David

David Potter 22-06-07 22:09

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Quickway on Corbitt 6x6 building M2 Treadway

David Potter 22-06-07 22:14

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Quickway on Corbitt offloading pneumatic pontoon for M2 Treadway; might be better if they used outriggers!

David Potter 22-06-07 22:16

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Quickway on Colman 4x4 chassis

David Potter 22-06-07 22:17

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Another Coleman chassis

David Potter 22-06-07 22:19

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Finally a pair of Quickway on Corbitt chassis

Les Freathy 22-06-07 23:09

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Good shots David i have a couple of them but not the 2 3 5 good to see others in this US series, your first shot of the Brockways unloading in the river is in Korea i have a bound manual on the US military engineer with a article on the construction and the same photo. Now some thing to make your eyes pop if you have not seen it before a prototype bedford QLC semi pontoon bridging unit, prehaps one of the reasons it never progressed is if it had the same permanent coupling as fitted to the GS version that did see production this would of course make the idea of dropping and returning for more semi trailers impossible
cheers
Les

David Potter 23-06-07 10:27

Les, that shot of QLC pontoon is very interesting!

I had heard that a there was a prototype (up to 6 converted?) QLC with FBE Mk3 trailer; this did not see active use as: a) not as maneouvareable as rigid 6x4 b) as you point out the Tasker semi-permanent coupling made trailer changes impracticable.

Note that the Australians used semi-trailers (but then Australia is a big country!) for Pontoon (without towers), FBE and SBG (I only have standard Conniford images but I am sure you have more!).

David

Les Freathy 23-06-07 11:00

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Just for amusment here is a typical sign erected when bridges were completed

Les Freathy 23-06-07 11:02

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One of the normal ways of transporting the US rubber pontoons by towed trailer, one other is the frame work fitted to the body of the GMC 6x6

Les Freathy 23-06-07 11:08

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This photo i find facinating from a modellers point of view mainly because of its diorama potential, is there any body out there that makes bailey bridge frames in 1/76 scale i suppose etched metal would be the way these days i think i would go loopy trying to hand build all those cross sections. Interesting range of vehicles here including Bedford QLs, Ford WOT, Austin, Halftrack, jeep and a 3 ton CMP
cheers
Les

David Potter 23-06-07 12:02

Les,

My 1/76 Vernon diorama includes scale 600' of FBE (with 2 centre bays being replaced due to sheel fire) and Bailery Pontoon being built (same span but under construction).

AB make cast white metal Bailey bridges; they have currently supplied me with 500x Bailey panels, 300x Rakers, 200x Transoms 60x Pontoons etc......

There website is well worth a look:

http://www.abfigures.co.uk/british_b..._equipment.htm

FBE MkIII is resin casting from Trux (no longer in business).

(Very) slowly taking shape!

David

David Potter 23-06-07 12:51

Les,

Here are a few notes I found concerning QLC / FBE trailer combination and further UK FBE semi-trailer use.

"In late March 1943 there was a rush order for one Bedford QLC tractor 4x4-2. The order was dated 29 March and delivery was to be in first week of April. Clearly this was wanted in a hurry and would be taken from an existing contract. It is known that the vehicle was fitted with Bedford Tasker permanent semi-trailer equipment and was for use for a yet to be built FBE trailer. Vehicle H 5469698 was indeed delivered to the Directorate of Royal Engineer Equipment. The prefix H was unusual because vehicles of this type, with permanently fixed semi-trailers, were normally prefixed L. This suggests it was to be used with a specially designed detachable semi-trailer. It was obviously not a success as no more were ordered. There is however a reference to trials with a detachable semi-trailer for the QLC tractor but is reported that no practical or economic solution was found."

In reference to a War Establishment showing a 2 section Folding Boat Equipment Type A Platoon:

"Both the above unit and the 6 ton 4x2-2 semi-trailer lorries are somewhat of a mystery. The unit was not to replace the existing FBE platoon, there is ample evidence that these continued in use to the end of the (NW Europe) campaign. Perhaps this platoon was intended as transport for FBE raft equipment. The equal numbers of landing stage units and floating stage units would suggest this."

"The vehicles were presumably Bedford 6 ton 4x2-2 lorries but whether they were GS or flat-bed is not clear. They may even have had a special superstructure."

"Did a standard Bedford OY 4x2-2, which had a detachable semi-trailer, fill the role for which the QLC was intended? If so did it have a special body?"

As the saying goes; that gives food for thought!

Any comments anyone?

David

Richard Farrant 23-06-07 13:02

Quote:

Originally posted by David Potter

"Did a standard Bedford OY 4x2-2, which had a detachable semi-trailer, fill the role for which the QLC was intended? If so did it have a special body?"

Any comments anyone?


David,

This would be the Bedford OXC which was fitted with the Scammell coupling and used with tankers, flat and dropside trailers, and all manner of specialist trailers.

Incidentally the QL tractor you quote, Census no. H5469698 was part of Contract no. S2796 along with H5469699, described as "Tractor, 4x4, FBE and Pontoon".

Noel Burgess 23-06-07 13:57

Models
 
I have some of the old "Modelworld" articles by Arthur North on militry bridging including notes on building 1/76 models.
Includes bailey bridge & bailey pontoon - which I could scan if anyone is interested.
Noel

David Potter 23-06-07 15:59

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Noel,

As a Bailey fanatic I am interested in your Modelworld articles; I am lacking drawings for the distributing girders (triangular sections in photo below) which support landing bay to end floating bay on 4 pier landing bay raft.

I always believe that there is something new to be learned all the time so appreciate it when someone comes along with new information!

David

David Potter 23-06-07 16:17

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Quote:

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
David,

This would be the Bedford OXC which was fitted with the Scammell coupling and used with tankers, flat and dropside trailers, and all manner of specialist trailers.

Incidentally the QL tractor you quote, Census no. H5469698 was part of Contract no. S2796 along with H5469699, described as "Tractor, 4x4, FBE and Pontoon".

Richard,

Thank you for confirmation on QLC.

What the OXC quote was really meant to question was: what type of trailer was used? You are probably familiar with Australian FBE trailer (image below); was a similar trailer used in NW Europe, or were boats transported on "standard" flat-bed / GS?

Any ideas?

David

David Potter 23-06-07 16:33

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A few more Vernon bridging images.

This time a D4 (used to prepare exit roadway from Bailey bridge) on Close Support Raft.

Post operation report stated that the Close Support Rafts (one on each flank of the assault) were underused "due to scepticism of their abilities on the part of Infantry Brigade commanders"!

David Potter 23-06-07 16:38

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Vernon.

These next images are cinefilm stills so are somewhat blurred, but for me the subject matter warrants their posting!

10-RB loading shovel (used to demolish houses for Bailey bridge approach) passing M5 half track.


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