RL Bedfords

[Brent Delaney]

Hi everyone,

Been a while since I was last here, work and family commitments.

Anyway I was wondering if any other members own RL Bedfords

and if so what models?

My father and I have about six or so including two recovery

wreckers (way cool). Have found a few pictures of wreckers on

the net and just can't get enough of these, so anyone know of

any others out there?

Thanks in advance,

Brent Delaney.

[Richard Farrant]

Brent,
When I started work in REME workshops, we had one as part of the recovery unit. It was well looked after in gloss bronze green paint and the cast REME badge on the front. It was thought of very highly by the crew. They were nicknamed the "Beddy Light", as they were classified as a Light Recovery. The one in your photo is a British Army model. The Royal Navy had some with Holmes gear fitted.
I have built countless 300 petrol engines for these old girls. My own truck is its predecessor, the Bedford QL, another great old truck.

Richard

[Brent Delaney]

Hi Richard,
Im ex RNZE, still remember seeing them in service never thought we would own two of them in our collection.
We use one of them a lot, the other one is still waiting to come home as it needs a set of piston and liners fitted, (seized two pistons) caused by coolant in the oil.
Oil was drained, the truck was then abandoned causing the above result. The truck is in Hamilton we live in Welligton, about 7 hours drive away.
Hope to drive the truck home within the month, will let you Know progress later on this thread.
Hows your QL beddy? Dad has a cargo model but it needs restoring one day.
Do you have any pictures of "beddy lights" from your service days?
Is this the truck you remember from your unit?

Cheers,

Brent Delaney.

[Richard Farrant]

Brent,
Our workshops RL looked just like that ! As for photos of it, sadly no, but I will have search for any others in my collection.
My QL is still going strong, in fact I prefer it to drive than the RL, although it lacks the power compared to its successor.

Richard

[Les Freathy]

Whilst browsing over older threads i noted this conversation between Brent and Richard. I can remember the RLs based at Richards depot as we both live in the same vicinity and if any building work was being carried out i would do my utmost to get on site, two fold really one for business the other to oggle the many vehicles in the depot.
Here are two interesting shots ,one on the tilt testing bed and the second in use with a redundant big wheeled Ferret
Les

[Les Freathy]

2nd

[Brent Delaney]

Hi Les,

Great pictures, thanks for sharing them.
Update on our 2nd wrecker, it had to be semi trailered home in the end as the engine had to be removed for complete overhaul.
The new engine has been fitted and all it needs now is about a days work to finish off, that was over a year ago!!!
In the mean time M41 tanks and M113's have taken alot of my spare time, oh not to mention I'm still painting my house

Had our 1st wrecker at a local grand opening in Masterton last Saturday the occasion was a new military surplus store has opened, specialising in Vietnam era collectables.


Cheers,
Brent Delaney.

[Les Freathy]

Thought you would appreciate these shots Brent, they were taken around the late 1970s at the old Shorncliffe barracks at Folkestone in kent not a million miles from Richards REME depot. Every summer the T.A RCT units as they were then came down for two weeks training with all sorts of motors and always had a REME attatchment with them and i always would make a beeline on as many days as possible to be in the area. I got to know the lads very well and did a photo shoot for them one year and of course managed to take some for my own collection i was even invited to the mess for a dinner and given the ok in later years to drive the new TM 4x4 and 6x6 on the cross country course. the old Victorian barracks still stand and long may they, the photos were taken out side the workshop/garage area
cheers
Les

[Les Freathy]

Just been having a look back over some of the older threads a noticed this Bedford RL item, although it was originally aimed at Brents enquiry into the recovery version i see no reason why we cannot go back and expand its potential to other varients on the vehicle. So here is a early Marshall bodied GS truck and two versions of the mine protection cabs
cheers
Les

[Les Freathy]

mine cabs