I know that Jennings the Sandbach bodybuilders were owned by ERF & wonder if the Foden ERF rivalry stopped Foden letting Jennings build on their chassis but this vehicle has a strong look as though the cab & body was built by Jennings
I don’t know the ins n outs of it but someone will. Stands well I think, did she survive?
They were aircraft refuellers, Foden Pluto’s. The high cab and extra windows were to enable the driver a good view of the underside of the airliner. Heathrow based I believe? Budgie Toys made a diecast model of them in the 60’s.
There was also an even larger version using an AEC chassis.
The order for Foden to build aircraft refuellers for ESSO came about in 1957 and as well as supplying six wheel models they also produced the artic versions at first the two axle tractors with extended cabs to match the trailer height and extend the drivers vision as already mentioned. ESSO code named these refuellers Pluto rather than Foden and the 6000 gallon tankers were built by Steel Barrel Tank Trailers of Uxbridge. Increasing orders followed culminating in 1959 with the 12000 gallon tanker code named Python, this was the eight wheeler tractor version said to be the largest articulated refueller in the world at that time. When the air industry was involved with changing their piston engined and turbo prop machines for larger jet engine planes these orders were a welcome asset for Foden, considering at the time the Suez crisis had bit and manufacturers were expecting a fall in orders for domestic traffic. Cheers Franky.
Frankydobo:
The order for Foden to build aircraft refuellers for ESSO came about in 1957 and as well as supplying six wheel models they also produced the artic versions at first the two axle tractors with extended cabs to match the trailer height and extend the drivers vision as already mentioned. ESSO code named these refuellers Pluto rather than Foden and the 6000 gallon tankers were built by Steel Barrel Tank Trailers of Uxbridge. Increasing orders followed culminating in 1959 with the 12000 gallon tanker code named Python, this was the eight wheeler tractor version said to be the largest articulated refueller in the world at that time. When the air industry was involved with changing their piston engined and turbo prop machines for larger jet engine planes these orders were a welcome asset for Foden, considering at the time the Suez crisis had bit and manufacturers were expecting a fall in orders for domestic traffic. Cheers Franky.
Thanks Franky, did they sell many did any survive? Cheers Paul
Frankydobo:
The order for Foden to build aircraft refuellers for ESSO came about in 1957 and as well as supplying six wheel models they also produced the artic versions at first the two axle tractors with extended cabs to match the trailer height and extend the drivers vision as already mentioned. ESSO code named these refuellers Pluto rather than Foden and the 6000 gallon tankers were built by Steel Barrel Tank Trailers of Uxbridge. Increasing orders followed culminating in 1959 with the 12000 gallon tanker code named Python, this was the eight wheeler tractor version said to be the largest articulated refueller in the world at that time. When the air industry was involved with changing their piston engined and turbo prop machines for larger jet engine planes these orders were a welcome asset for Foden, considering at the time the Suez crisis had bit and manufacturers were expecting a fall in orders for domestic traffic. Cheers Franky.
Thanks Franky, did they sell many did any survive? Cheers Paul
Two of the S20 artic units survive in Rush Green Motors -
Frankydobo:
The order for Foden to build aircraft refuellers for ESSO came about in 1957 and as well as supplying six wheel models they also produced the artic versions at first the two axle tractors with extended cabs to match the trailer height and extend the drivers vision as already mentioned. ESSO code named these refuellers Pluto rather than Foden and the 6000 gallon tankers were built by Steel Barrel Tank Trailers of Uxbridge. Increasing orders followed culminating in 1959 with the 12000 gallon tanker code named Python, this was the eight wheeler tractor version said to be the largest articulated refueller in the world at that time. When the air industry was involved with changing their piston engined and turbo prop machines for larger jet engine planes these orders were a welcome asset for Foden, considering at the time the Suez crisis had bit and manufacturers were expecting a fall in orders for domestic traffic. Cheers Franky.
Thanks Franky, did they sell many did any survive? Cheers Paul
There were a few of them in the breakers yards at Henstridge Marsh (Somerset) a few years ago, don’t know if they are still there.
Two of the S20 artic units survive in Rush Green Motors -
Not sure if the word survive can be used for Rush Green Motors, they don’t exactly keep them in a protected environment, it would be a shame though if at least one of these unique vehicles wasn’t preserved even if it never got to run again. I’ve got no info on how many of these refuellers were built but it seems the Foden Works benefitted for a few years of orders from ESSO for these and other standard layout tankers. Franky.
Frankydobo:
Two of the S20 artic units survive in Rush Green Motors -
Not sure if the word survive can be used for Rush Green Motors, they don’t exactly keep them in a protected environment, it would be a shame though if at least one of these unique vehicles wasn’t preserved even if it never got to run again. I’ve got no info on how many of these refuellers were built but it seems the Foden Works benefitted for a few years of orders from ESSO for these and other standard layout tankers. Franky.
You could same the same about any breakers yard.
Give the yard a ring - everything is for sale.
