bit of by-pass nostalgia…A33 Winchester by-pass, Hockley lights and Spitfire Bridge…
many an hour spent here but journey home was never the same without it!
Colin
The M.Deutz drawbar was a standard tractor unit lengthened,and with a dolly convertor, was used with a 24ft PSK trlr.The outfit was able to ship out & back in at the continental 38T Gross when 32T was the UK limit
As Jeremy pointed out,10T was loaded on the rigid & 15T on the trlr & a usual run to Michelin Cuneo,reload Vado Ligure (Savona) often had the “tail wagging the dog”. Don Beattie was the first driver followed by Bert Stewart(arms folded in photo) & both refused to ship on the Dragon or Leopard unless guaranteed to drive on!
The vehicle proved to be a useful piece of equipment particularly where loads capped out before grossing
(combined there was 46ft bed space) 2 x20ft light containers for tailboard delivery was another regular traffic but as Fergie pointed out these things could develop a mind of their own when reversing
A611 OOT was the first ERF which KL Commercials sold to an external customer. Jeremy is almost correct,
LTS 25 originally a flat before going to Congleton
The other 2 photographs were taken with the Viking Valiant in the background,before she went to Bremenhaven for her extensive rebuilding
Sorry but I knew there was a 813/5in the fleet X 813/5 JAA sed Atk 401 with a 265 Roller the sister was X ■■■ RJT Davie Thorburn RIP drove JAA then Charlie Hannam who painted it on every french trailer as he wouldnt put a no plate on them & Harry drove RJT cant remember if he had it new
Ps It was poss Mike Davies (Publicity shots) at the wheel as Fred never wore a Tie.
TCR 7 T I know Don did his back in trying to lift the dolly on the drag & whose axle was used on LTS 6 to make it a tri axle, I know Bert drove the Foden alot of the time as well
Jeremy
roolechat:
The M.Deutz drawbar was a standard tractor unit lengthened,and with a dolly convertor, was used with a 24ft PSK trlr.The outfit was able to ship out & back in at the continental 38T Gross when 32T was the UK limit
As Jeremy pointed out,10T was loaded on the rigid & 15T on the trlr & a usual run to Michelin Cuneo,reload Vado Ligure (Savona) often had the “tail wagging the dog”. Don Beattie was the first driver followed by Bert Stewart(arms folded in photo) & both refused to ship on the Dragon or Leopard unless guaranteed to drive on!
The vehicle proved to be a useful piece of equipment particularly where loads capped out before grossing
(combined there was 46ft bed space) 2 x20ft light containers for tailboard delivery was another regular traffic but as Fergie pointed out these things could develop a mind of their own when reversing
Any idea what happened to it ? was it exported,scrapped, or maybe someone has preserved it ?
nilocekyd:
bit of by-pass nostalgia…A33 Winchester by-pass, Hockley lights and Spitfire Bridge…
0many an hour spent here but journey home was never the same without it!
Colin
Did a Spitfire actually fly under it, or is it just an urban myth. 
roolechat:
A611 OOT was the first ERF which KL Commercials sold to an external customer. Jeremy is almost correct,
LTS 25 originally a flat before going to Congleton
The other 2 photographs were taken with the Viking Valiant in the background,before she went to Bremenhaven for her extensive rebuilding
Hi roolechat,
Why would they send an ERF to Germany for a rebuild ? 
sure it wasn’t the Magirus ? 
I do know that the chap on the right,Chris Hales had a lot of influence into how vehicle’s and trailers were specced,and that’s “Fred” in the middle who drove the ERF a few miles !
Regards
Richard
Sure it wasn’t the ship going for refit ?
MaggieD:
roolechat:
A611 OOT was the first ERF which KL Commercials sold to an external customer. Jeremy is almost correct,
LTS 25 originally a flat before going to Congleton
The other 2 photographs were taken with the Viking Valiant in the background,before she went to Bremenhaven for her extensive rebuildingHi roolechat,
Why would they send an ERF to Germany for a rebuild ?
I do know that the chap on the right,Chris Hales had a lot of influence into how vehicle’s and trailers were specced,and that’s “Fred” in the middle who drove the ERF a few miles !
Regards
Richard
Fergie47:
nilocekyd:
bit of by-pass nostalgia…A33 Winchester by-pass, Hockley lights and Spitfire Bridge…
0many an hour spent here but journey home was never the same without it!
ColinDid a Spitfire actually fly under it, or is it just an urban myth.
My fault, should have looked it up before I asked the question…here’s the answer.
In 1941 a Curtiss Tomahawk flown by George Rogers flew beneath the bridge, but had to take evasive action after meeting an oncoming HGV. The pilot clipped the bridge and lost 3ft of his plane to it, causing him to later crash while landing. He walked away with only minor injuries.
I also looked up the Winchester Echo who carried out an interview with the lorry driver.
The driver, a Mr. A Mapson, aged 52 from Fareham said :-
" I were that shocked, so much so, I swallowed me ■■■"
He also said that the plane missed him by inches
“Cause I had me winders open, the wind took me boots and trousers off with the speed he were going at”
Asked if the event would have any long term effects on him he said
"To right, I’m gonna wear shorts and sandals from now on, and giving up smoking as well "
Mr Mapson is expected to make a full recovery…well almost… 
Quiet day in France then Dave to do research & make stories up about poor Tony
regards
Jeremy
Hi Fergie now then if it was Anthony Mapson at the wheel under spitfire bridge and it was 1941 he would have been on a Tonka toy (which is of course how he learnt his trade) and he would have already bin wearing shorts and sandles, and the obligatory black socks which you forgot to mention. needles to say he would have had Roy Rogers bracers as well. You got me thinking now cos Mappo always made out he was younger than me and now ime not to sure cheers Buzzer.
PS. Mappo was always known for falling of bridges not going underneath them as you state.
Badger:
Quiet day in France then Dave to do research & make stories up about poor Tony
regards
Jeremy
Scandalous remark Jeremy, you may well hear from my attorney…Make up stories about old Mappo…Never…Only reporting the facts, don’t shoot the messanger…
It’s been raining here, so bored-ish…
Mont with George Thorne
Buzzer:
Hi Fergie now then if it was Anthony Mapson at the wheel under spitfire bridge and it was 1941 he would have been on a Tonka toy (which is of course how he learnt his trade) and he would have already bin wearing shorts and sandles, and the obligatory black socks which you forgot to mention. needles to say he would have had Roy Rogers bracers as well. You got me thinking now cos Mappo always made out he was younger than me and now ime not to sure cheers Buzzer.PS. Mappo was always known for falling of bridges not going underneath them as you state.
That is very funny J.D, never thought of that…now if in 1941 if was 52, that makes him…errrr…
oldler than you. 
Remember these trucks…running out of Le Harve
Jeremy,
As Fergie47’s attorney and financial advisor,if you send 10,000 lira, and a copy of your latest recipe, in a sealed envelope to me you will probably hear no more about it.
I would like to point out that Mr Tony Mapson told me he was a rear gunner in a Spitfire and I have no reason to doubt him
Regards
Richard
MaggieD:
Jeremy,As Fergie47’s attorney and financial advisor,if you send 10,000 lira, and a copy of your latest recipe, in a sealed envelope to me you will probably hear no more about it.
I would like to point out that Mr Tony Mapson told me he was a rear gunner in a Spitfire and I have no reason to doubt himRegards
Richard
Richard Mappo always took a back seat so it is not a surprise to hear he was a rear gunner but not in a Spitfire more like a Lancaster. Can just see him with goggles on and the big fleece jacket go nice with the shorts sandles and bracers and of course the black socks, he’s ok he is used to taking the flack if you know what I mean cheers Buzzer.
Badger:
Sorry but I knew there was a 813/5in the fleet X 813/5 JAA sed Atk 401 with a 265 Roller the sister was X ■■■ RJT Davie Thorburn RIP drove JAA then Charlie Hannam who painted it on every french trailer as he wouldnt put a no plate on them & Harry drove RJT cant remember if he had it new
Ps It was poss Mike Davies (Publicity shots) at the wheel as Fred never wore a Tie.
TCR 7 T I know Don did his back in trying to lift the dolly on the drag & whose axle was used on LTS 6 to make it a tri axle, I know Bert drove the Foden alot of the time as wellJeremy
roolechat:
Badger:
Sorry but I knew there was a 813/5in the fleet X 813/5 JAA sed Atk 401 with a 265 Roller the sister was X ■■■ RJT Davie Thorburn RIP drove JAA then Charlie Hannam who painted it on every french trailer as he wouldnt put a no plate on them & Harry drove RJT cant remember if he had it new
Ps It was poss Mike Davies (Publicity shots) at the wheel as Fred never wore a Tie.
TCR 7 T I know Don did his back in trying to lift the dolly on the drag & whose axle was used on LTS 6 to make it a tri axle, I know Bert drove the Foden alot of the time as wellJeremy
roolechat:
roolechat:
Badger:
Sorry but I knew there was a 813/5in the fleet X 813/5 JAA sed Atk 401 with a 265 Roller the sister was X ■■■ RJT Davie Thorburn RIP drove JAA then Charlie Hannam who painted it on every french trailer as he wouldnt put a no plate on them & Harry drove RJT cant remember if he had it new
Ps It was poss Mike Davies (Publicity shots) at the wheel as Fred never wore a Tie.
TCR 7 T I know Don did his back in trying to lift the dolly on the drag & whose axle was used on LTS 6 to make it a tri axle, I know Bert drove the Foden alot of the time as wellJeremy
Fergie47:
roolechat:
The M.Deutz drawbar was a standard tractor unit lengthened,and with a dolly convertor, was used with a 24ft PSK trlr.The outfit was able to ship out & back in at the continental 38T Gross when 32T was the UK limit
As Jeremy pointed out,10T was loaded on the rigid & 15T on the trlr & a usual run to Michelin Cuneo,reload Vado Ligure (Savona) often had the “tail wagging the dog”. Don Beattie was the first driver followed by Bert Stewart(arms folded in photo) & both refused to ship on the Dragon or Leopard unless guaranteed to drive on!
The vehicle proved to be a useful piece of equipment particularly where loads capped out before grossing
(combined there was 46ft bed space) 2 x20ft light containers for tailboard delivery was another regular traffic but as Fergie pointed out these things could develop a mind of their own when reversingAny idea what happened to it ? was it exported,scrapped, or maybe someone has preserved it ?
