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  #1  
Old 23-12-13, 22:24
Hanno Spoelstra's Avatar
Hanno Spoelstra Hanno Spoelstra is offline
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Default Belgian Vickers Utility Tractor

This is a thread I start on behalf of Jan Roelse, to aid in the restoration of his Vickers Carden Loyd Utility Tractor.

Some background in very short chronological order:

1) This tractor was bought in the late 1930s by the Belgian army as a gun tractor for their cavalry troops.

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2) After the fall of Belgium, this tractor was captured and used by German troops occupying the region. They left it in a ditch after they fled for the advancing Canadian troops in 1944.

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3) It was recovered by a garage shortly after the liberation of the region in late 1944. They converted it for agricultural use and a farmer bought it. It was last used in 1959/1960.

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4) Jan acquired this cut-down tractor from a farmer in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen in 1984. See Wheels & Tracks magazine.

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5) Jan donated this tractor to a local war museum and started it's restoration.

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  #2  
Old 23-12-13, 22:42
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Hanno Spoelstra Hanno Spoelstra is offline
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Jan is mocking up the superstructure, trying to save as much of the original metal as possible.
After everything is measured up and made to fit, the parts will be cut from metal and fitted up.

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  #3  
Old 23-12-13, 22:46
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Jan Roelse needs some info / possible source for the following parts:

1) Gas cap: it has a 2.5" ID and 3" OD. Note: mechanicals of this Vickers Utility Tractors were based on A- and/or B-model Fords.

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2-4) Headlamps

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Who can help? Please drop Jan an email by clicking on this link, or leave a message here.

Thanks in advance!

Hanno
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  #4  
Old 24-12-13, 11:00
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Hi there, Do you think it will be finished and will come to our carrier display at War & Peace 2014 ?

Happy CHristmas,

Andy
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  #5  
Old 10-08-15, 16:39
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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Would anyone else have any pictures of these small armoured tractors, especially those built by Vickers rather than the slightly larger ones built by the Belgian company of Familleureux?
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Old 10-08-15, 17:20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Cornwell View Post
Would anyone else have any pictures of these small armoured tractors, especially those built by Vickers rather than the slightly larger ones built by the Belgian company of Familleureux?
Hello Mark and welcome to MLU!

Besides the magnificent picture of the Dutch Vickers Utility tractor which I copied in the thread Vickers Utility Tractors in the Netherlands East Indies, this website http://tankdevelopment.blogspot.co.uk/ contains a number of images you are looking for:

Vickers Carden-Loyd Utility tractor, 1928: http://tankdevelopment.blogspot.de/2...ctor-1928.html

Utility Tractor 1932 Standard: http://tankdevelopment.blogspot.de/2...-standard.html

Though one of the pictures is actually the same on both pages, they differ in printing quality.

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  #7  
Old 10-08-15, 17:23
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PS: are you aware that one of these is currently offered for sale on MilWeb?

Quote:
1936 Vickers Carden Loyd Utility Tractor
believed to have been left in Dunkirk after being captured by the German forces. Found in France in 2007.
This very rare vehicle is fully restored with a restored engine, new radiator, clutch, dynamo, starter. New electrics with original dash instruments.
It has new running gear bearings and new rubber moulded rollers. Runs well, can easily be transported on a car trailer as it is small, only weighs 1.3 tons.
It comes with the full kit including, deactivated Bren Gun and deactivated 303 rifle. It has the original, brass identification plate.
A very rare and unique machine for the serious collector, to be seen to be believed, ideal for the 75th anniversary of Dunkirk.
Extensive photographic record of restoration.
GREATLY REDUCED price on application.
Bob Fenton: 07831 629173
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  #8  
Old 10-08-15, 17:56
Mark Cornwell Mark Cornwell is offline
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They were certainly vehicles of their time, the one illustrated looks very similar to a picture in 'Making Tracks' except with a Bren rather than a Vickers Berthier MG. More suitable for hauling light guns and their crews rather than blasting away with an MG!

Last edited by Mark Cornwell; 14-01-17 at 00:07.
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  #9  
Old 22-11-20, 23:21
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Some more pictures of this tractor in as-found condition:

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  #10  
Old 23-11-20, 00:27
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Now that’s an awesome piece of kit Hanno !!
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  #11  
Old 23-11-20, 10:57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron View Post
Now that’s an awesome piece of kit Hanno !!
It sure is, Robert! Though I am not sure where the restoration stands at the moment, I'll check with Jan.
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