Loose-wire:
ok I have to spill the beans one member has hit the jackpot as to who I am but just to give the rest a clue go to page66 picture of group Astran drivers one with Frank Hook centre ,I might be in this picture,one guess only
To change the subject slightly here are some blasts from the past…
All the best Son of THE CROW*****
I will be uploading more pictures in the future when I find them, T.C all the best Paul.
I remember Freddy Noble telling me how on one trip to Pakistan he contracted to put it mildly an upset stomach and laid in a ditch by the truck for three days until he felt well enough to carry on, drinking bottled water supplied by passers by to flush his system through.
Well gentlemen Ireckon it has to be Rita and if you think about it he is the only one thru this whole thread who refers to people as Buddy. Come on Rita own up. Regards Crow.
the picture of 3 lads, is that brummie dave on the far right?
No mate thats Jack Richardson who never went further than Italy or Spain, Dave Mason is the other guy and its me in the middle. The photo was taken in the bakehouse either late 70s or early 80s. Have a Cognac on me. Crow.The pics of the 89s were taken the day they were leaving us, the really beaten up one TTX 131s had not turned a wheel since its last m.o.t several years earlier but it had been well cannibilised. The tractor under the lowloader was believe it or not a rhd f89 . The guy who owned it had paid a lot of cash to have it converted. He was from somewhere in Sussex and the bloke who bought them from us was one of his subbies. Apart from the spares that they managed to get on the trailer they had to send a 7 tonner the day after to take the rest of the gear. There was a lot all the stuff you amass over the years ,engines gearboxes diffs and those stupid 25 leaf rear springs. Very sad to look at it now and at least 2 of those motors would have been parked outside the Bakehouse when that pic of the three of us was taken. Ah well happy days regards Crow.
Good pics anyway mate, indeed i will have a cognac, just to help me wind down a tad, pictures speak a thousand words, and i will be takeing lots more now, than i used to, thanks again 
Good morning steve, now you can see the other pics thatwe took of the MME M inerals Scania and if you look carefully at the front driving side you ll see very little damage ,the chassis was slightly bent where the steering box is mounted causing steering problems. All the pics were taken at Asprovalta Greece next door to Bokos Bakery. Kavala had gone to the dogs by now the old man had let his son take over and he was anti truck so it was either the BP there or Asprovalta. The other trucks on the pics are either ours or the Transcon with the spare wheel on the cab roof one of Johnny Howards Henrys,Ithink he had 4. Thats your lot on that hope its cleared everything up regarding the heavy damage to the Scania. No further news on Corrie yet and for you dave fifth wheel he s back in the UK.Cheers all Crow.
Hello Crow, I am glad that you sorted out the story of the Middle East Minerals Scania and hopefully one day the driver who left the smashed up M.E.M. trailer in the customs compound just outside Belgrade or Dave Hammond will join Trucknet and tell us all what exactly happened on that foggy morning on the Autoput.
Please keep us all updated on Ken’s progress as I am sure that everybody who met him wishes him a full recovery (even Loose Wire) very soon.
When he does get better it would be great if he could come on here and tell us something about this old Dow F88 or maybe your Tony knows who it belonged to.
Terry Smith thinks it might of been driven by Stevie Nicks or one of the Hambleton brothers Roger or Gordon, I think he said. The trailer was one which we used to do garments in from the suit factory in Bucherest.
Drum Bun son .
Regards Steve.
geoffthecrowtaylor:
Good morning steve, now you can see the other pics thatwe took of the MME M inerals Scania and if you look carefully at the front driving side you ll see very little damage ,the chassis was slightly bent where the steering box is mounted causing steering problems. All the pics were taken at Asprovalta Greece next door to Bokos Bakery. Kavala had gone to the dogs by now the old man had let his son take over and he was anti truck so it was either the BP there or Asprovalta. The other trucks on the pics are either ours or the Transcon with the spare wheel on the cab roof one of Johnny Howards Henrys,Ithink he had 4. Thats your lot on that hope its cleared everything up regarding the heavy damage to the Scania. No further news on Corrie yet and for you dave fifth wheel he s back in the UK.Cheers all Crow.
Thanks Crow,at least he is home which usually helps when unwell.
David 
Wheelnut and Cooperman ie Flysheet sorry for leaving you out lately, John I don t know what the sit is with Ken at the moment he s waiting for a scan right now usual NHS delays maybe this death ray that Keith the thief is attempting to export to where ever could solve the problem quicker. Think about that if HMRC are giving him pain what about the Abis the Gyppos and the Saudis, remember the mega gun that was intercepted by the Bubbles rather you than me pal . Regards to all Crow.
Now heres another one for Steve. Does any one remember Brian o Connor. Known to his mates as Curly he was one of the very first Asian Transport drivers and drove an F reg 1968 Scania Vabis wagon and drag to Pakistan and other outlandish places .In the early 70s he became an owner driver and at one time had an ex Trowbridge Transport v8 mandator. He was from the Warrington area and founded B o Connor and sons his yard was at the Widnes end of the ship canal bridge .He sady died a few years ago before he had chance to see his sons sell out to Eddie Stobart for about 18 million quid, Not bad for an ex Astran lad. His favourite song was Rhinestone cowboy. Just thought this maybe of interest to you lot out there especially if there are any of the original Asian drivers still with us. Regards to all Crow.
Hello Crow, I only remember seeing Brian O’ Conner’s motors from Widnes pulling containers in the late eighties and early nineties, weren’t they dark blue Scanias 
.
Eighteen million quid in a old ex Astran drivers bank account 
, thats probably about right as G.S. Overland, Red Desert Fox and Sinbin are also known to be worth more than a bob or two .
well iv drawn the short straw again me x ray is still in customs i got the abu dhabi as per usual now 6 other lads are shipping out empty loading italy for dammam they will be empty and in bahrain dropping there trucks of before i even get to the emirates iv never had this with british customs in 31 years of going abroad even today they are still asking astrans for more technical data on the machine bit dis heartning hold up like this and you aint even left 9 days now
p.s what about the sultan mr ball he is worth more than all of em lol 22trucks working in bahrain 20 in qatar and he was only one of the astans youths
keith the thief:
p.s what about the sultan mr ball he is worth more than all of em lol 22trucks working in bahrain 20 in qatar and he was only one of the astans youths
Hullo Kieth,
And a Night Club in Pataya too. Now there’s a thought, while that poxy X Ray machine is still in Customs, you can nip over there for a week, have a good old time and put it down to Expences.
Cheers, Archie.
Bloody ell Keith whats the matter with these Ponces they should be more concerned with imports not exports which earn the country money. Go and kick arse or you ll be there forever.Crow.
well geoff and archie its cleared thank f…k im in the office in the morning new carnet then away im meeting the others in italy im dreading it lol gary lyons daz phil mc kev carrot john webster and me it will be intresting gota go italy open tir no gv60 you know the story finish carnet in italy then go for it were you archie hear or brasil you lead a good life you old sod do you realise it was 25 year ago when we was doing italy lol i brought that 190 38 in 1986 when you had the daf were has it go mate i was a kid now me knees are gone and i dont stop moaning lol il keep ya updated
