Bedford wartime models

[Hanno Spoelstra]

This is the elusive MWV GS van, isn't it?

Note the fixed body sides and permanently fitted canvas. Also note the body is slightly longer at the rear.

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

This is the elusive MWV GS van, isn't it?

Note the fixed body sides and permanently fitted canvas. Also note the body is slightly longer at the rear.

Let’s bring the Bedord MWV Van back on topic:

Bart Vanderveen wrote: “The RAF used enclosed van-type radio vehicles on the Bedford MWR (and Commer) chassis, the Army’s Bedford MW ‘van’ (Model MWV) being simply a GS truck with tilt (some 1,000 units, under contract No. V 3904).”

The Chilwell list notes contract V3904 was for “Van 15-cwt 4x2 G/S” with census number range V 770401 - 770810. The next allocation of census numbers 770811 - 771479 was not taken up, so it seems contract V3904 was limited to 410 vehicles.

In fact it was a bit more than “simply a GS” truck as the body was 12.5” longer and 1.5” wider than that of the regular MWD. I’d like to know if there was any type of interior like tables and seats.

Hanno


Fresh from the factory: MWV, Van, 15 cwt. Note the canvas tilt is a permanent fixture (no ropes can be seen on them), possibly the canvas was screwed to a frame inside?
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MWV V770754 in the Middle East. the formation sign has the GHQ Middle East Command camel on it.
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ATS driver steps into MWV V770776:
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Another picture of MWV V770776:
Car 4280.jpg
Source: http://www.stilltimecollection.co.uk...ing.html#23215

[Mike K]

I had a wartime RAF manual for a Collins radio set, it showed the set fitted in a MW Bedford with drawings and antenna setups, dated 1944 I think

[Keith Brooker]

A few more Bedfords from my collection.
Keith

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Keith Brooker

A few more Bedfords from my collection.

Thanks Keith. Did you say you wrote a book on Bedfords?

Thanks,
Hanno

[Haridimos]

A MWD under other management somewhere in France.. (source Ebay.de)

BED MWD FRANCE ebay.de.jpg

[Keith Brooker]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Thanks Keith. Did you say you wrote a book on Bedfords?

Thanks,
Hanno

Yes, i made a photo book from my collection and Morris CS8 15Cwt trucks as well.
Keith

[Hanno Spoelstra]

This is the Bedford MWT 15-cwt 4x2 Anti-Tank Tractor. It has a lorry body with seats, drawbar and tilt. Note the drawbar is the spring type, not the simple bar affair on other MWs.

Pics via John Rippingham and others

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

I had a wartime RAF manual for a Collins radio set, it showed the set fitted in a MW Bedford with drawings and antenna setups, dated 1944 I think

Thanks Mike, would like to see some copies of it, but it seem you no longer have it?

Richard Moys mentioned that Contract V5062 was for 1200 Bedford MWD's, 42 of which were to be converted to “Radio Link” vehicles (contract let on 6th March 1942). He knows of 84 "Radio Link" vehicles mentioned in two contracts, these were converted by Thos. Harrington. Other "MWR" contracts refer to MWR and converted to W/T, these conversions were carried out by two totally different companies. It may be the "Radio Link" vehicles are the same as MWRs.

But maybe the "Radio Link" vehicles were fitted with those Collin radio sets?

H.