Wessex Historic Military Vehicles held its annual gathering at Haselbury Mill, Crewkerne, in Somerset on June 27th, as Joseph Lewis reports.
Wessex Historic Military Vehicles: Two REO recovery vehicles. On the left is a 1958 M62 A2 6×6 six-cylinder turbo multi-fuel, with Austin Weston Crane and Tulsa winch, owned by Adam Best. On the right is a 1958 M62 A1 six-cylinder petrol owned by Bill Hembery, from Weston Zoyland.
There were around 50 military vehicles ranging from motorcycles, half-tracks, recovery trucks and troop carriers attending this Wessex Historic Military Vehicles event. One of the stars was a 1972 ex-Army Bedford MK owned by Malcolm Redston from Taunton. Malcolm acquired the MK in serviceable condition with a good cab, which is unusual, as the cabs are known to rust. This gave a good base to refinish the bodywork in deep bronze-green gloss, which would have been typical of the period in the London District.
This 1972 ex-Army Bedford MK, with 66,000 miles on the clock, is owned by Malcolm Redston, from Taunton.
In military terms, this model is classed as a four-tonne 4×4 general service (GS) truck, which is powered by a Bedford 330 multi-fuel, six-cylinder engine with four-speed synchromesh gearbox and two-speed transfer box providing four-wheel-drive. The military specification includes a Turner five-tonne ‘belly-mounted’ winch which is capable of pulling from the back or the front end of the truck.
The rust-free cab was a bonus and reflects the relatively low mileage. Note the rev counter used for monitoring the engine speed when winching.
Malcolm’s Bedford MK is fitted with a Turner five-tonne ‘belly-mounted’ winch.
Haselbury Mill owner, Roger Bastable’s collection includes this 1959 Atkinson eight-wheeler 30-tonner, on the back of which is a 1939 Austin K2 two-tonne lorry which was acquired for £200 at a Stourpaine Auction in 1977. On the back of that is a 1946 Austin 10 motor car!
Gratitude to all the vehicle owners.
For a money-saving subscription to Heritage Commercials magazine, simply click here
