Can anyone identify this RAAF crane

[Jared Archibald]

G'day Everyone,

this has been a very interesting thread!

I have been collecting images of engineering machinery that was used in the NT during the war and it would seem there was at least a couple of these used in the Darwin area.

However, the ones I have photos of up here were mounted on C60X chassis, rather than the GMC 6x6 or FWD (as Lang mentioned). See attached images. These came from a book called "Restore To Service - A History of 4RSU" by Walter Venn. This is a fantasitic book and contains images of vehicles you will not find anywhere else.

It is easy to see in these photos that the crane is mounted on a turn table on the tray - they must have been an interesting jigger to operate!

Jared

[Jared Archibald]

G'day again,

I knew I had seen a pic very similar to the one in the first post. I just found it at the end of the book "Whispering Death" by Parnell - a history of the Beaufighter in RAAF service.

Once again it is a GMC being used as motive power. This is in 1955 so the RAAF kept them on strength for quite some time.

The scene in either photo would make a great model diorama.

Jared

[Jared Archibald]

I have just gone through my files and found this collection of images that saw on epay some years ago. The album sold for a ridiculous amount but I did download the few scans of pages that were placed on the auction site.

This page shows a bogging mishap with the 10 Ton C60X crane at RAAF Base Darwin. This would have been during the Wet Season. It is interesting to see the Cletrac aircraft tug (I have the remains of one of these) and also the pic showing the Blitz (tipper?) and the Jeep towing the crane in tandem from the rear.

Have a great weekend,

Jared

[gjamo]

Australian War Memorial examples.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P02270.008 check the refuelers in the background.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/125221

[Justin Pollard]

Hello Jared,
Another interesting Beau pic,
This Beau was converted to a target towing aircraft and would probably be with 30 SQN if it is 1955.
My records indicate it was scrapped in 1957.
Be interesting to see what Col comes up with.

Justin.

[Col Tigwell]

Well by early January this crane was gone from Richmond at least.

Perhaps to disposals as all the Beaufighters were long gone, and Neptune engine changes were done using a Fawler.

A8-358 has a very mild history.

Was stored until 30/5/51
Then was converted to target towing and allotted to 30 Sqdn.

Undercarriage collapsed on landing at Richmond 14/11/55.

Aircraft sent to Tocumal 3/2/56 for storage and sold for scrap 28/657.

So we know that the crane existed on 14/11/55 and was gone by 8/1/57.

I suspect that these cranes were taken out of service, because they were not allowed to be driven by groundstaff. Where as the Fowlers could be driven by any approved driver.

Makes sense not to tie up a driver when doing an engine change.

Thank goodness for aircraft the RAAF kept and have retained good records.

Shame they had not done it with transport.

Regards

Col

[Larry Hayward]

Having had another chat with Dad over the crane he used at Balikpapan in 1945-46 - he says that it was a self propelled crane that it steered by hydraulic rams (that steered the rear end). He says it had a farm tractor seat and not a cab.

He remembered the name Massey Harris and I've found this on the Museum of Victoria site. I'll show him when I see him as he is not on the web! However I cannot see from the photo how it would have hydraulic steering but after 65 years its hard to remember I guess.


I presume the RAAF had these too?