modelldoc Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 A question about the specially-modified Leyland Hippo load-carriers. Here I found some information about these vehicles: https://rafbarnham-nss.weebly.com/nuclear-convoys--x-flight.html But who know more and have pictures or drawings from the used material in these nuclear convoys? modelldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Such vehicles would have been very secret at the time - notwithstanding their regular appearance on public roads. Anyone seen taking pictures was likely to face at least a stern conversation with the Snowdrop escort. They were later given innocuous-sounding camouflage names like Truck Cargo Heavy Duty. We're currently on the Mercedes-based Mk3 artic. Mk2 was a Foden artic and the 1968 Mk1 was a Leyland Mammoth Major rigid 6x4. There was also the more mysterious Seddon Atkinson 8x4 rigid High Security Vehicle. Hippos were also certainly used as tractors for Thor missile trailers, but these were articulated trailers not drawbar. There was also an odd drawbar tractor version of the Hippo for which I found a drawing but no pictures. I wonder if this might have replaced the very slow Scammell Heavy Recovery trucks mentioned in your article for the Pantechnicon trailers. I wonder if the Red Beard transporter might have looked something like this, the 2,500 gallon fuel truck with tilt booms to disguise it as a GS truck. No sign of the front exhaust on this or other Hippo tankers, which I might have expected. You might get something from The Leyland Society. You might even get lucky with Nukewatch or CND. They've been watching Aldermaston and nuclear convoys since the earliest days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 No sooner had I posted above than look what I found! The very things !! X Flight convoy leaving Barnham. You can't see anything of the exhaust system though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 Thank you so much! That is it! What for great pictures and drawings. Thanks a lot again! modelldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted January 5, 2021 Author Share Posted January 5, 2021 Here I found some information about the AEC Leyland TCHD: https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/39277-raf-militantor-not/ It's on page one and two. modelldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 The TCHD Mks 1-3 and the HSV are quite well photographed as they were common sights on public roads and by the time they came in there was greater public interest in nuclear weapon matters. In the days of the Red Beard I suspect that most of the country would very much be behind the idea of nuclear security against the Red Threat and the wartime ethos of security was still commonplace. Which might explain why there are no photos despite them obviously being a public sight. Camera ownership has also increased exponentially since the 1950s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted angus Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I served from 1964 to 2004 and have seen the UK convoys many many times. The front mounted exhaust on the Hippo is mounted directly in front of, and in line with the front axle : the tail pipe is very short and points to the offside. It is rarely visible on photographs. I don't think the tractor for trailers type Z is relevant to the Red Beard convoys. I understand the Z trailer was the warhead carrier for the Thor Missile system and being a full trailer its tractor needed ballast to give stability and braking traction, water was the normal ballast . Its possible that the tractor in the late Mick Bells drawing was produced in very small numbers for Thor. The 2 pipes on top of the higher rear portion are an over flow and the other a fill pipe. Additionally this water was also available to the convoy fire tender. Turning to the photo of 3 Hippos leaving Barnham , this was the last convoy to leave there and its 1972. I would guess the 3rd Hippo is purely a water carrier, the convoy fire tender based on a Morris LD van is immediately behind the 3rd Hippo. I have a picture showing the tanks in a Hippo but haven't worked out how to use the insert image facility. TED. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 Thanks Ted, that will be very helpful for me. If you can't post the picture, you can send me a pm. I would like to use RTI models as a base for that. modelldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 (edited) Here is a picture from ted angus, thanks. modelldoc Edited January 10, 2021 by modelldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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