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BCVM (British Commercial Vehicle Museum) - Spitfire - 28-Feb-2008
Here, as promised, is the opening special event of the 2008 season.
Sunday 6th April 2008, 10.00am-5.00pm
MODEL TRANSPORT EXHIBITION
The museum starts the season with an exhibition of scale model trucks, buses, Meccano models, heavy haulage & remote controlled vehicles set out amongst their full-sized counterparts, proudly presented by the builders and collectors themselves.
There are eight Sunday events this year and all can be seen on the BCVM link.
- noel - 03-Mar-2008
I'm really looking forward to that Jim, thanks for the information.
- Smithy - 05-Mar-2008
Jim - wishing the Model Transport Exhibition every success, as I am sure it will be.
Continuing with the Leyland bus theme, have you ever been to Malta? We went twice in the late 1980's, and on both occasions the transport between airport and hotel was on what must be the oldest single-decker Leyland buses in existence! They had no doors, hard leather seats, and no suspension...thank goodness there was a chrome bar (like a handrail) across the back of the seating, otherwise passengers would either have slid, or been bounced off their seats! It was like being on the big-dipper without a safety bar to hold you in. We stayed at the northern tip of the island, nothing else there but the hotel and the ferry to Gozo, and a concrete bus shelter....on Friday evenings, the bus shelter was used as a 'week-end holiday home' by Maltese families (about 8 people), they simply put a rope across the open front, slung a blanket over for privacy, set up an oil-drum barbeque outside, and caught fish from the end of the jetty . I'll bet those buses are still in use!!
- Alan Marsden - 05-Mar-2008
Smithy , that sounds rather good to me - the simple life ahhhh !!!
- Spitfire - 05-Mar-2008
Hi Smithy, Yes I have indeed sampled the delights of the bus service in Malta, as has Linda. It`s only recently that I was told that they had been taken off the road, due to the dreaded Health & Safety people. I only heard it second-hand so please don`t take it as gospel.
It`s quite a few years ago since we were there but I well remember a sweltering August day (well into the 90`s), when all the passengers had to alight in order for the bus to climb one of the hills!!! It`s easy to see why each bus has it`s own minature shrine. You took your life into your hands on every trip.
- Smithy - 05-Mar-2008
In reply to previous postings: Alan, an alternative to the bus-shelter weekend accommodation were corrugated iron structures the size of a small garden shed (with no windows) on stony ground near the sea, also used by the locals. Simple life, yes, and fascinating to see how much they enjoyed themselves...dad fishing, kids leaping off the rocks into the sea, mum preparing the sleeping areas.
Jim...wonder what they use for transport now the old Leyland buses have gone? How well I remember the drivers personal shrines, also the ones on hairpin bends!!
- Spitfire - 06-Mar-2008
Following a chance remark that I made at the museum regarding the perilously small ammount of shelf space that remained at home for my model trucks, I was delighted when I was offered display space in the entrance hall/shop area of the museum. I think that I may be able to get 10 to 15 trucks and trailers into the space allotted.
I am doubly pleased with this outcome because it has solved a problem that has been worrying me for some time. What was going to happen to them when I `shovel off this mortal coil`? I did not want to sell them, yet couldn`t think of what to do with them. I was therefore only too happy to donate them (rather than lend) and I have to admit that it gives me a very pleasant feeling knowing that somebody (long after I have gone) may say, `That looks nice`.
- William R - 06-Mar-2008
Good for you Jim, I only wish I had the opportunity to get to see how its all going in King Street. Don`t know how you do it, but keep at it. Have you ever thought of a set of Retriever Lorries as made during the war, all the different types.
Ask about the FV1200 - see if there is any info about it. The last I remember of the two which were made is a photgraph being taken at Spurrier Works, with a Mighty Antar alongside being dwarfed by its size. A white elephant possibly, but I believe they went to Chobham, and may still be there. There was a 100 ton swan-necked trailer went with them, but where it is.......?
What about the HS1500 made at Spurrier Works? A drive unit which could be released by 32 bolts and sustituted to any of the alternative front units, never hear of these fighting vehicles now.
Just wondering about it. By the way Jim, I have a Scarborough warning on my file about a mole in The Snug, or some rodent or other, so I`m watching how things go.
Cheerio and back into the shadows. W.R.
- Spitfire - 06-Mar-2008
Thanks for that William. I will print out your post and pass it around on Tuesday. Who knows - I may even get some information for you. [:p].
You mentioned Spurrier. I had the task of locating (an overseas request) photographs of his steam yatch,the `Gladiolis`, last week. Had you ever heard of it? Sumptous, would best describe it.
Ah!! The Mighty Antar. We had one in our REME LAD as a tank transporter for the Ceturian`s and Conqueor`s that we maintained. I`m over 6ft. tall, yet the top of my head didn`t reach half way up the radiator.
We`ve had a thread devoted to moles. The damn things get everywhere.
- William R - 07-Mar-2008
Jim, I mention the HS 1500 because at the end of the Centurian Seven contract the MOS placed the HS1500 order with Leylands, I believe for a substantial number of units.
The idea was that the vehicle comprised a power unit which was detatchable by the 32 bolts and bayonet type connectors. The front units were compatible and of various types - Grenade Launcher - Post Office - Machine Gun Unit - Workshop etc. The thinking was that, under battle conditions, a rear drive unit could be substituted onto any disabled vehicle. If a Launcher lost its power unit, one could be taken from , say the Cooking Unit, to restore its mobility. and so on.
I don`t know what the final outcome was for the contract. Shortly after that the factory was offered for sale, and was bought back by Leylands, creating on its way a number of problems due to duplication of departments and personnel.
At that point I became involved in the establishment of the Engine Factory from Northgate to Spurrier Works - but thats another story.