Royal Navy vehicles

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Photos of RN vehicles seem to be quite rare, as they hardly needed many!

These units had most of the RN vehicles in the Med.

Here are the only photos I have of My Grandfathers RN vehicles. He was transfered to the RN in April 1942 in Alexandria to form the port salvage units for the Inshore Squadron in the Mediterranean. He was land based even though he was a fully qualified Marine Engineer (Chief). His Port Parties were with the first Army units into the ports from El Alamein via Tobruk, Tripoli etc to Bizerta. They cleared the mines below and above water, the booby-traps and then refloated or demolished anythis blocking the port, then they repaired anything that was in the ports to supply the Army.

The first two photos are of the the RN mobile workshops enroute to Beirut from Alexandria in June 1942 to set up the base for the 1st Submarine Flotilla. (during the scare of Rommel reaching Alexandria).
Can anybody identify the trucks?

Part 1 see next post for part 2.

Regards Stephen Morse

[illgato]

Here are the other vehicles (4 photos) of 1MLRU in the North African Desert somewhere between Algiers and Sousse between April and July 1943.
Again can anybody identify the trucks and motorbike?

[cliff]

Photos 1 & 3 are of a MCP Chevrolet also known as the "Lendlease Chev". Photo 2 could be a Morris Commercial but I am not 100% certain of this. Photo 4 is unknown to me but the wheels are the major identification point on this vehicle. I also have no idea what the Motorcycle make is.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

JUst out of interest, regarding the new owner of the Morris Commercial Compressor truck, is he the owner of the one recently listed on Milweb, painted in Army colours?

This one, isn't it?

H.

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Les Freathy

Me again
Iknew i had a RN photo some where and have just found it in the wrong file.
A Bedford OY 3tonner with a 20mm cannon mounted on i presume a navel type pedestal, this unit would have formed part of a mobile installation defence. Nothing like advertising the fact they are navy.
Les

Here is some more information on the Number 1 Mobile Land Repair Unit, specifically about the photo, I wonder if this is a photo of one of the trucks belonging to this unit?
See attached reports for description.
Regards Stephen

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

This one, isn't it?

Hanno,

As mentioned earlier, I was well aquainted with the recovery of this vehicle and some of the early restoration of it, about 30 years ago, helping my friend who owned it at the time. It changed hands a couple of times and recently was sold again, re the Milweb advert. The new owner has been in contact and I have forwarded this thread to him as I found original markings on it proving it was attached to 4MLRU and the recent developments on here have thrown new light on the truck's past history.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The third photo is a rhd truck so most likely a 3-topn CC60L (Canadian Chevrolet 1941 Model 1543X2), one of those shipped to Alexandria under S.M 2005 (one of 150) or one shipped-out after British assembly.

[chalky]

This ex RN crane lives at Threlkeld museum UK , its american manufactured with truck cab badged 'Transit Crane' and a Bucyrus Erie ( not Ruston ) crane a 22b I think, I'm guessing its post war , but why would the Royal Navy buy American at that time? so is it wartime ?
Reg no. is 7835RN

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Thanks Stephen,

That is more information than I have found in 30 years, I will pass this on to the new owner.

Once again, thank you.

Richard

Hi Richard,
4MLRU was Naval Party 1502 and landed at Sword with the initial target of Ouistreham (Caen), then Le Harve, Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, etc..

This is a excert from a book called "Open the Ports, the story of human minesweepers" by J. Grosvenor & L.M. Bates (I have a copy) which can be found at:
http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/Bill%20Bailey%20Tribute.pdf

At last Party 1574 received orders to go to Portsmouth for embarkation. After
the usual infuriating delays and the expected hazards and discomforts of the
crossing, they reached Sword Beach.
They sailed in the same convoy as another naval Party, Nº 1502, whose
business was to get certain captured ports working again. They, too, were
bound for Ouistreham, but were not, of course, going to take any part in
underwater clearance of mines, etc., which was Party 1574’s special care.
Their duties would be salvage and general reorganisation of the port’s facilities.
Party 1502 were well equipped and the ‘P’ Party members looked with envy at
their lorries and so forth. Bailey had only been able to scrounge a box-cart to
carry their gear! But he cared nothing for dignity; he was concerned only with
getting their equipment to Ouistreham in the shortest possible time.
The excitement of going ashore amidst the remains of wreckage of landingcraft,
tanks, etc., desolate relics of the first assault forces, was enhanced by the
sound of firing. Not far away Royal Marine Commandos were still engaged in
mopping up behind the beaches while the armies pressed inland against fierce
enemy resistance.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by illgato

Hi Richard,
4MLRU was Naval Party 1502 and landed at Sword with the initial target of Ouistreham (Caen), then Le Harve, Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, etc..

Thank you. That is stunning info, when I helped the original private owner all those years ago, to start the restoration, he was a bit dissapointed to find it was Navy and probably had not got any real active service.........quite the reverse from what is emerging now.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by illgato

Hi Richard,
4MLRU was Naval Party 1502 and landed at Sword with the initial target of Ouistreham (Caen), then Le Harve, Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, etc..

Hello Stephen,

The owner of the ex-4MLRU Morris truck has asked me to thank you for all the info you have come up with, he has found further information on the unit's work after arriving in France.

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hello Stephen,

The owner of the ex-4MLRU Morris truck has asked me to thank you for all the info you have come up with, he has found further information on the unit's work after arriving in France.

Hi Richard,
Glad to be of help, I would be very interested in finding out any further information the new owner has uncovered.

Regards Stephen

[rewdco]

Originally Posted by illgato

Here are the other vehicles (4 photos) of 1MLRU in the North African Desert somewhere between Algiers and Sousse between April and July 1943.
Again can anybody identify the trucks and motorbike?

The first motorcycle looks Italian to me (possibly a Gilera?), but the second one is definitely an early BSA M20.

Jan

[David Molyneux]

Can anybody supply any details on 85RN77, out of service in September 1961 which is described as “Bedford QLR, 4x4, Observation Van, 3 ton.

Perhaps it was a form of Runway Controllers Van as it is in a batch of QL vehicles variously described as Ground Approach Van, Air Traffic Control Van and Signals Van.

Also can anybody supply any details on 84RN41, out of service in October 1965, which is described as “Bedford QLC, 4x4, Platform Truck & Crane, 3 ton.”

David Molyneux

[Noel Burgess]

David
You might try following the link in post #81
God luck in your search
Noel

[Noel Burgess]

Following on from the success with MLRU how about these questions which come from discussions between myself and Mike Simpson [Trux]. Mike has been studying D Day landing tables for Sword Beach and has come across the following :

Landing on Sword Beach. Second Tide.
The following have no other information and no unit serial is given. It is very unusual for army or RAF units not to be identified, the former by unit and serial, the latter by ‘RAF’


On LST Serial 613
1 Jeep from Heavy Mobile Section.
1 30cwt Lorry 21 foot 4 inches X 6 foot from Heavy Mobile Section.
1 3ton Lorry 22 foot 8 inches X 7 foot 8 inches from Heavy Mobile Section.
1 trailer 12 foot 3 inches X 5 foot 10 inches from Heavy Mobile Section.
1 motorcycle from Heavy Mobile Section. Carried on vehicles.
21 men from Heavy Mobile Section.

On LST Serial 616
1 Tractor Class I D8 from CRU.
1 Jeep from CRU.
1 Heavy Fire pump trailer, Dennis, from CRU.
1 30cwt Austin from CRU.
1 Trailer, welding set from CRU.
1 Crane, Le Tourneau from CRU.
19 men from CRU.

On LST Serial 617
1 Jeep from Light Mobile Section.
1 30cwt from Light Mobile Section. 16 foot 6 inches by 7 foot 4 inches
2 Motorcycles from Light Mobile Section.
11 men from Light Mobile Section.

On LST Serial 619
1 30cwt 16 foot by 7 foot 4 inches. Radar.
1 15cwt 15 foot 6 inches by six foot 7 inches. Radar.
1 Motorcycle Radar.
23 men. Radar.

The use of 30cwt lorries is a bit of a mystery; Dimensions where given are overall size and indicate different shipping dimensions to a standard vehicle

[S LATHERON]

Good day
Browsing the forum on Navy vehicle i realised that I still had pictures of the Fleet Air Arm Land Rover 107 station wagon that I had not posted.
The Truck is shown with its 1/2 ton brockhouse? sankey trailer both newly painted heading off to a Show at the DLI Museum one August.
Lots of fun but sadly sold to fund other projects.
Stephen
I need help please, I have been trying to log onto the Light weight land rover owners site and using a Hotmail.co.uk account. it rejects the whole address, also tried A hotmail.com and it dislikes this also. Any ideas please?

[illgato]

Stephen
I need help please, I have been trying to log onto the Light weight land rover owners site and using a Hotmail.co.uk account. it rejects the whole address, also tried A hotmail.com and it dislikes this also. Any ideas please?[/QUOTE]

Contact the site administrator, it will be a problem with Hotmail either blocking or Blacklisting the web site.
Regards Stephen

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewt...1485&p=6287075

[singeager]

A subject open to discussion....

did the Navy use Dingo's well certainly yes on one day in 1946.

During the London Victory parade senior officers were paraded in a number Dingo's in RN markings. (i own the car F340653 shown in the photo)

Otherwise I have heard accounts from veterans that they were used by Beach masters top maintain communications (like on the Dieppe raid).

and general liaison purposes around large bases. I wonder whoever if this is because they just utilised vehicles that were standing around awaiting shipment?

thoughts anyone?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Colour photos of RN vehicles are rarer still so I have attached a photo of an RN Fordson & bowser at RNAS Yeovilton in 1943. The Fordson looks to be earth brown while the bowser is the same shade of grey seen on the Seafire.

Great picture! I noted a Seafire has recently taken to the skies in Canada:

http://youtu.be/TneYPcyGbbY

H.

[Larry Hayward]

Guys,

Here is another RN vehicles in the background of this shot of a Fairey Barracuda.

I'm not hot on coach identification so perhaps someone will know. No doubt an impressed one.

What I thought at first was a shaddow turns out to be a two tone grey camo?

Any thoughts on whether the coach has an added superstructure or is that on a building behind?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Any thoughts on whether the coach has an added superstructure or is that on a building behind?

Larry,

I think this particuar coach has come up on here before, or possibly on HMVF forum, will try and find it.

[Richard Farrant]

I did not realise how time flies until I saw the date on the following thread ;

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ghlight=funnel

The bus is built to represent the superstructure of an aircraft carrier, so that practise landings can be done on dry land.

[Larry Hayward]

So I presume that explains the camo- just like a Carrier

[Larry Hayward]

Here is another RN vehicle to add to an old thread. I'm guessing its a Commer

[Larry Hayward]

Out of interest does anyone know the colour description or number for the light grey used on RN vehicles during WW2?

[Larry Hayward]

Disregarding RN Vehicles used abroad that would have been painted in typical Army camo colours for the theatre of operations, can anyone say when the RN used light grey as seen on the front of the control tower bus in post 111 and the ambulance above. Was it an interim colour used only in the UK around the dockyards and FAA bases?

I'm told RN Dark blue (as in post 107 above) was a pre and post war colour.

I have also seen some lease lend aircraft tugs in RN use that were in a similar dark blue (but not as dark as the post-war colour).

Any info from members restoring WW2 era RN vehicles gratefully received, as some people don't believe the light grey colour ever existed in WW2.

[Clive Prothero-Brooks]

I have a 1981 Australian Moke the yellow one in the picture, i understand that the RN and RAN used Mokes, mostly on the Carriers in the 60and 70`s such as HMS Bulwark and Albion does anyone have any pictures of one, like the Land Rovers they would probably be Blue with Royal Navy on the sides with the ships badge and name of the ship on the front?, looking around there doesn't seem to much info.

Clive

[Mike Cecil]

Clive

Try this forum and threads, it may provide some additional info for you:

http://remlr.com/forum/index.php?board=43.0

Mike

[Clive Prothero-Brooks]

Mike, thanks for the link, that is the first time i have seen Aus Army Mokes, somebody will have to restore the twin engine versions.
mine came from a Car Hire, Cairns Queensland

Clive