Info needed: Belgian Vickers Utility Tractor

[Hanno Spoelstra]

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.

vickers in actie 2.jpg

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.

rups op het land.jpg

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

rups bij de loods in Vliss..jpg

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

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

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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IMG_6041.jpg IMG_6033.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

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

koplamp en claxon bovenaanzicht 2.jpg koplamp zijaanzicht 2.jpg
linker voor- zijaanzicht.jpg

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

Thanks in advance!

Hanno

[Andy Mitchell]

Hi there, Do you think it will be finished and will come to our carrier display at War & Peace 2014 ?

Happy CHristmas,

Andy

[Mark Cornwell]

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?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Mark Cornwell

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.

38.jpg 77%2B1%2BVickers%2BCarden%2BLoyd%2BUtility%2Btractors.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

PS: are you aware that one of these is currently offered for sale on MilWeb?

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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