Wessex Historic Military Vehicles
Posted by Chris Graham on 18th September 2021
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.
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