Scattergun Scarabs

Osgood

Osgood

Western Thunderer
What you see is what it was, Col - 1956 Constructor ballast body tractor. One of 4 x Rolls C6 powered Constructors ordered by M.O.S. for long-term evaluation purposes (but Scammell were already delivering petrol-powered steel bodied units off the gun tractor production order, go figure...). Before manufacture commenced the order was reduced to 2. This is one of the 2, and spent its time at Defence research establishments. A small fleet of almost identical vehicles were obtained by M.O.S. for conveying new Centurion tanks on drawbar trailers from the Vickers factory to army depots.

I think this is the only wooden body to survive. I really should let it go, but still have a desire to do it up (there's an almost nearly rust-free cab in the back). So far all I've done is made 2 x new air tanks (oh, and freed off and got running the engine) :D

Interestingly (or otherwise) the order was later revised, re-instating the second 2, to be supplied on bigger 14 x 20 tyres and with a huge winch. They were shipped of to Christmas Island and used to let out and reel in barrage balloons carrying the H bomb detonators as part of the atomic tests out there. I subsequently met one of the Christmas Island drivers, and had the pleasure of taking him to have a drive in a similar Constructor which I'd restored and subsequently sold to a collector. Took him all of a minute to re-master the Scammell box :thumbs:

I bet you wish you hadn't asked now :))

MOS Constructor.jpg
 
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Eastsidepilot

Eastsidepilot

Western Thunderer
Osgood said:
I bet you wish you hadn't asked now :))
Click to expand...

On the contrary, always interested in the history mate. By the way my Grandfather ( ex air gunner ) was flying crates out to Christmas Island as a Navigator by then, he witnessed the bomb going off from a certain distance, behind a barrier with black out goggles with his back to it and in his words " it just went white " :eek:.
I'll have to look at his log books ( in the hands of my Aunt ) to see where what he was exactly doing.

Col.
 
farnetti

farnetti

Western Thunderer
Well, this has turned out to be an interesting thread. I found another where, I think, most of the variants are in the video at about 5.50 in the film.


My favourite is definitely the triangular nose.

Also in this film there is reference to BR vanfits. There don't seem to be many 7mm kits of this, are they just fitted standard 12 ton vans (in their various options)?

Ken
 
Heather Kay

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Nice. There's a battery electric Jen-Tug in there, too. It seems to be working with trailers similar to the Wolverton Coupling, which has the landing legs wider apart than the Scammell type.
 
H

hrmspaul

Western Thunderer
LarryG

LarryG

Western Thunderer
The Scarabs always looked modern to me and I can't remember riding in one. The ones unloading with us at Manchester Central Station in 1959 were usually the pre-war square box variety and I often got a lift in one over to Man Victoria. Charging around Piccadilly without its trailer was an experience never to be forgotten. The bulb horn was a anachronism by that date.
 
Mike W

Mike W

Western Thunderer
I know this is an old topic, but just to put the record straight - and being pedantic - the Jen-Tug was petrol. Its brother the Jen-Helec was battery electric. I believe there are only three Jen-Tugs still in existence and only one of them is restored.

Mike
 
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