Bedford MWC water

austin tilly · #1 04-05-06, 14:08

I am searching for an article about the Bedford MWC watertruck for some more information and pictures. Close-up photo's would very good illustrate the article.

Can anyone help me?

Cheers,
Arjan van der Hoek
The Netherlands

Hanno Spoelstra · #2 04-05-06, 17:25

Arjan,

When using links to pictures, please be so kind to mention the source. In this case: http://www.armyvehicles.dk

Thanks,
Hanno

Larry Hayward · #3 04-05-06, 23:09

Here is a start, though it does not realy show you much of the rear end!

Pete Ashby · #4 05-05-06, 09:12

Larry

that's a nice picture of a MW water tanker I'm guessing it may have been taken some time ago ?.

Looking at it made me think of the very large number of interesting trucks we used to see at shows in the UK 15 to 20 years ago that never seem to see the light of day now.
I wonder where they all went ?. Rhetorical question really but I'd be interested in other peoples views.

Pete

Lynn Eades · #5 05-05-06, 10:53

How about this one?

Hanno Spoelstra · #6 05-05-06, 12:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete Ashby
Looking at it made me think of the very large number of interesting trucks we used to see at shows in the UK 15 to 20 years ago that never seem to see the light of day now.
I wonder where they all went ?. Rhetorical question really but I'd be interested in other peoples views.

Pete, lots of guys driving those trucks 20 years back (when you were a young lad drooling over them) are now in their 60s or 70s. Many of them are stored in a barn or similar, waiting to be sold of by their family when they have passed on. Those are the lucky vehicles, many of those great trucks you saw back then have probably deteriorated beyond ressurrection because of lack of proper storage.

Hanno

P.S.: I have a VW Beetle stored in a barn - it used to be dry ten years ago when I parked it there. Now I don't even know if the barn is still there....

Larry Hayward · #7 05-05-06, 23:38

Pete,

My photo of the Bedford MWC was actually taken ...er last year in June 2005 at the MVT National Show at Kemble.

austin tilly · #8 09-05-06, 23:09

This Bedford MWC was found in Portugal.

A nice project

source: http://www.mvt-essex.org.uk/sales.htm

Cheers,
Arjan van der Hoek
The Netherlands

Pete Ashby · #9 09-05-06, 23:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Hayward
Pete,

My photo of the Bedford MWC was actually taken ...er last year in June 2005 at the MVT National Show at Kemble.

I stand corrected Larry, nice to see some of the rarer stuff still getting out and about.

Not withstanding this, there is still loads of rare trucks that never get seen these days, and I'm not sure I agree with you McSpool on this one. I don't thing they have gone back to the dirt but have been spirited away to private collections in heated sheds all over Europe.

Any one else hold a view on this ?

Pete

Larry Hayward · #10 10-05-06, 00:51

Pete,

I agree with you - when I look at my photos of MV events from 1978 - 85 I see mostly old timers of the WW2 era. There were hardly any post war vehicles at all - perhaps a few Champs!

Apart from the odd Universal Carrier & M3 halftrack there was very little 'armour' but shows were full of Bedford MW, OXD, OY & QLs, Austin K2s, Morris Commercials CS8 & C8 types, perhaps a few Ford WOT, Guys and a few CMPs.

But now UK MV shows are 50% to 60% modern - much of which has been built, served and then been sold by the MOD since I first became interested in MV's. Luckily the GMCs, Dodges, Jeeps and M201s that have been released from reserve stocks in the 1990s have helped keep up the numbers of 'WW2 era' at shows - but without them the picture would be worse. Sadly it is those vehicles of the British design that seem to be becoming rarer at your average MV event.

So where have they gone? Well firstly with spares being harder to find for many British types and fuel at nearly £1 a Litre in the UK, its not surprizing that owners concertrate on major shows like Beltring and rarely go to others. Many of the owners from 1978 were middle aged, and could be in their late 70's now so may not feel able to attend shows so much. I suspect there are a fair number of vehicles that have been restored by their owners, who cannot bare to part with them, even though they may not have see the light of day for years.

As time goes by the spares situation will get worse for the less common types, who's numbers don't support a new parts trade, so perhaps an MV museum for them, will be the best option, rather than hearing that some un-caring executor has had some rare type dragged off to the breakers yard - possibly the same one it was dragged out of in the 1970s!!!

Hanno Spoelstra · #11 11-05-06, 18:07

Quote:

Originally posted by austin tilly
This Bedford MWC was found in Portugal.
A nice project

See more here: Historic Military Vehicle Forum Forum -> Bedford Water Carrier

Rlangham · #12 12-05-06, 10:28

Just out of interest, what would these have been used by, just carrying water around for the troops? I've seen photos of Bedford water bowser's used by the RAF fire service, although it only shows the front of the vehicle so I don't know if it's an MWC or not

Les Freathy · #13 12-05-06, 10:43

This is a interesting run on the water tanker the coloured photo posted here i took at least 10 years ago at the Southsea rally nr Portsmouth.
The second is an original could well be a Butterfields photo depicting the pump equipment
cheers
Les

Hanno Spoelstra · #14 03-06-06, 21:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete Ashby
Not withstanding this, there is still loads of rare trucks that never get seen these days, and I'm not sure I agree with you McSpool on this one. I don't thing they have gone back to the dirt but have been spirited away to private collections in heated sheds all over Europe.

Pete, I agree many have been hidden away from public views in private collections, but still I think more than you would dare to think have deteriorated because of lack of proper storage and care.

Here's an example: this 1941 Bedford QL fuel bowser reportedly featured in the 1969 movie "Battle of Britain". It now looks decidedly worse for wear, and it's current owner had to buy it a few months ago at a farm auction to stop it being broken up and scrapped

. It's now looking for a good home, and can be had for a mere £500. If you know anyone who is interested see Historic Military Vehicle Forum Forum > 1941 Bedford QL fuel bowser for more details.

H.

Hanno Spoelstra · #15 03-06-06, 21:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
this 1941 Bedford QL fuel bowser reportedly featured in the 1969 movie "Battle of Britain"

Could this be the same Bedford?!?

Hanno Spoelstra · #16 05-06-06, 23:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
but still I think more than you would dare to think have deteriorated because of lack of proper storage and care.

This one truly baffles me. A Volkswagen Schwimmwagen pulled from the brambles, and selling on ebay for $50 grand

See G503.com forums > Schwimmwagen on EBAY for the whole story.

H.

wim sikkelbein · #17 08-07-06, 13:43

http://www.volny.cz/ipro/stripky/vzpominky/mylek2.htm

regards wim

Jan Mostek · #18 24-07-06, 22:35

Hi Austin Tilly,
Are you still searching for the Bedford MW water tank details? I have several pictures (details) of preserved vehicle form Czech Army Military Museum, just let me know. All pictures are taken from behind the fences where normally visitors are not allowed.
Cheers,
Jan Mostek, Prague, Czech Rep.

Hanno Spoelstra · #19 21-09-06, 21:46

Another MWC for sale, see MVT Greensheet:

Quote:

1943 BEDFORD MWC WATER CARRIER.
New body. Engine reconditionedand running. Requires work towings, bonnet and wiring.
Fits in normal garage £2750.
Ken Atkinson 01229 861439
(Cumbria)

Alex van de Wetering · #20 03-01-08, 14:44

There is a 200 gallon water tank for sale here in Holland for 250 Euro:

Water tank on marktplaats.nl

Alex

Alex van de Wetering · #21 07-02-08, 21:51

The Portugese MWC is for sale in milweb.

"It`s in bad shape, but almost complete and very original. The price is 2000 Euros. Please help me find a home to it.
+351 934030133"

austin tilly · #22 07-02-08, 22:41

Here is another photo of the Bedford MWC.

Source: Bernardo Fonseca

Cheers,
Arjan van der Hoek

Hanno Spoelstra · #23 10-07-08, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

The Portugese MWC is for sale in milweb.

"It`s in bad shape, but almost complete and very original. The price is 2000 Euros. Please help me find a home to it.
+351 934030133"

It was sold to forum member Higgins!

See http://nl.fotoalbum.eu/higgins/a93714 for pics.

H.

Higgins · #24 18-10-10, 20:26

My Bedford water bowser is only shot way to finnish full one year reconstruction,
first time go from garage....

Tomas

first foto- it was, forest in Portugal 2006

and now....

and my two MW in garage

cliff · #25 18-10-10, 22:13

Excellent work mate

David Hardway · #26 05-11-10, 05:41

Heres another two one number after the other NZ29316 should be a Water Cart as well (I have a tank but little else in the way of guards,pumps,filters etc)

Dave

1941 3" Mortar Carrier
1941 Ford F30 LRDG Replica
1942 Ford F15A
1942 NZ Pattern Wheeled Carrier
1944 Bedford MW

Higgins · #27 13-12-10, 23:10

HI Dave,

thanks for two more nice pic Bedford MW!

I search picture all MW, I like it!

Have three more Bedford MW chassis and want built one "early" and NAAFI

but its now only idea and think about this ....

Money, time, parts, work etc..... maybe

tomas

scale-modeller · #28 22-12-10, 15:11

Hello Arjan,

Is this something you could use?

Barry

http://www.eindhoven-in-beeld.nl/pic...umber21949.asp

David_Hayward (RIP) · #29 22-12-10, 19:02

I have the original hi-res scan of this on file.

Hanno Spoelstra · #30 23-12-10, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

I have the original hi-res scan of this on file.

That's a great picture, but is shows a Morris-Commercial CS8.

H.