Differences between Bedford OYC and OYD

[mlombard]

Hi All

This thread could possibly be split into two or renamed (don't know if you can do this). Originally I was after the differences between OYC and OYD's particularly in any chassis alterations, but we got on to the interesting (and still relevant topic) of Bedford OY's and how they go to Australia. I've made a contact or two re the Bedford OY I have and am happy to chase these up away from the forum, but I'd certainly be interested to see it continue to explore just how and why Bedford OY's ended up in Australia. Maybe Mike you'd like to put up the individual chassis no.s etc. that you had and we will see if the production dates of these vehicles can be tracked down, and then some explanations why there seem to be two distinct groups those in the OY5XXXX range and those in the OY7XXXX range, If I ever discover the chassis no. of mine, for sure,, I'll add it to this thread for you to debate. Refugee Cargo from Singapore was a good story, possibly, whilst it lasted, but it may not be correct, that's the joys of history.

Regards

Matt

[lynx42]

Here is an AWM photo of an OY in the Dutch East Indies, probably never got off the dock, but who knows.

AWM 306791.JPG

Oosthaven, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. 1942-02-17. View from the bridge of HMAS Burnie, berthed alongside the Oosthaven port facilities which were destroyed to deny their use by the Japanese. In the background smoke and dust rise from buildings whose walls and rooves were demolished. Beside the debris are trucks and other vehicles, including one tipped on its side. In the foreground are groups of local people lining the wharf and walking behind an approaching truck. Amongst the military are members of the Light Tank Squadron, 3rd Hussars, British Army. The unit had disembarked on 1942-02-14 at the port which faced the Sundra Strait on the southern tip of Sumatra. They were part of the force which was given the task of defending the area and covering the evacuation of the troops and civilians on 1942-02-17.

Regards Rick.

[mlombard]

interesting, this is about the time that the MV Empire Star passed through Batavia, and it is possible some vehicles could have been offloaded they certainly would have been useful, given that at that point the Japanese were only making exploratory advances not a full out assault so having trucks handy could have been useful.

[mlombard]

Hi

Ok so mike gave me some idea of the Bedford OY's here. There were four Bedford OY (not OX's) prime movers in the Australian Army School of signals used as tractor units for Golden Arrow Mk2 Transmitter Trailers. The RAAF had two OY's as water tankers and the RAN had one as a Camp Lighting Plant i.e fitted with generators, light poles etc. for a tented camp.

Mike also gave me two chassis numbers these being OYD50995 (RAAF) and OYD21844 (RAN) however Mike did note that both services were not a diligent as the Army with vehicle data details.

So if people can identify the dates of these two chassis numbers that would be good, also if anybody has any more photos of OY's in Australia that would be great.

I do have some photos of RNZAF OX tractors pulling Queen Mary trailers, but I am not aware of any OY's across the Tasman despite them having a plethora of oddball English sourced vehicles there.

[mlombard]

Hi Again

There is some info on the Golden Arrow here (see http://www.goldbeach.org.uk/yservice/Golden%20Arrow.htm ) the tractor units are certainly OX's , however I wonder that if this was sent out as a complete unit it also included the support vehicles for the 22 man crew. This may well be why some OY's came with it. Wonder what happened to these units after they left the military.