Cuppa_joe Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hi all, look for any information on what aircraft refueling trucks were used in Thailand for support to the RAAF in the early 60's. Were these locals or US support vehicles? Any pictures around? I'm building a CAC sabre in 1/72 and a truck of the right type would work a treat. Unfortunately, the few images i count find were wrong period, and or partially obscured. Regards Darius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuppa_joe Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 This is the only image what I have to work with... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sabre_Mk32s_RAAF_in_Thailand_early_1960s.jpg Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 That would appear to be a standard AEC Matador 6x6 refueller. The same type as found in the Airfix Refuelling Set. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 You'd have to nick the refuelling booms from the QL in the same box - no great problem but now you know what you are looking for you should be able to find photos to determine the exact fit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuppa_joe Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 @bootneck & @Graham Boak thank you very much!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuppa_joe Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 Was this model still used in the cold war period by the Americans in support of RAAF forces in Thailand? It seems that model link was for WW2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 It appears much more likely that it was still in use in the RAAF, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 4 hours ago, Cuppa_joe said: Was this model still used in the cold war period by the Americans in support of RAAF forces in Thailand? It seems that model link was for WW2 The vehicle was in use until the 1960's by Britain and many Commonwealth countries. Note the one in this view. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Fuel trucks are so seldom photographed, no one cares about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredag Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 2 hours ago, bootneck said: The vehicle was in use until the 1960's by Britain and many Commonwealth countries. Note the one in this view. Mike Those are the Leyland Hippo, i don't think the Aussies used them at all. They seem to have used a local pattern Australian International (one of the ugly overhang cab models...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Look more closely Obi-Wan they are not all Hippos. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcrfan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) I do know that in Singapore at the same era the Hippo was almost universal (with white roofs not yellow). Not Matador. I did a search on RNZAF online photo collection but no photos of refuellers in Thailand but there with a photo of a British aircraft tug tractor so some evidence ground vehicles were brought in. See https://fotoweb.airforcemuseum.co.nz/fotoweb/archives/5003-Search-the-Collection/Collection/SeaPRAF160-1-2.jpg.info#?c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5003-Search-the-Collection%2F%3Fq%3Dthailand Edited February 3, 2021 by dcrfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredag Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 1 hour ago, bootneck said: Look more closely Obi-Wan they are not all Hippos. Mike Ok, only the pretty ones are Hippos. I did an earlier search when i was going through a Hippo phase, before the RNZAF archives went on line. Thinking the Aussies would have used them, i did not find any images of Aussie use of the Hippo, they tended to use local (Aust.) pattern or American style equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcrfan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Borneo not Thailand but this photo does show RAAF Sabres being refuelled by a Hippo https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C208200?image=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 The Hippo not only had a different cab but a more squared-off tank. Road Transport Images do one in 1/76. Leyland Hippo 19H/Thompson pressure refueller complete kit - Road Transport Images Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tapsell Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Like this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._79_Squadron_RAAF#/media/File:Sabre_Mk32s_RAAF_in_Thailand_early_1960s.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 The rounded-sides tank looks like the Matador and not the Hippo. Not enough of the cab is visible but the mounting for the hose extensions doesn't quite look like either - could well have been simply a different mod on a standard truck rather than a different truck. However it all looks much more British than US. I'm afraid I've no idea what the Aussies did on any local chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 8 minutes ago, John Tapsell said: Like this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._79_Squadron_RAAF#/media/File:Sabre_Mk32s_RAAF_in_Thailand_early_1960s.jpg That link with the Matador refueller was already posted in thread #2 Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcrfan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, busnproplinerfan said: Fuel trucks are so seldom photographed, no one cares about them. Not everyone is so uncaring 13010812_10153590099571279_193979001209529054_n by tankienz, on Flickr Not only Hippo refuellers but also a Hippo crane along with a WW2 Amazon crane Edited February 3, 2021 by dcrfan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancunian airman Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) It looks to me to be the MK.IV Matador refueller, the pump housing on the rear section of the tank is not as deep as on the Hippo. I did a conversion of the basic Airfix kit to the Mk.IV but as I am not at home til early this evening, I will come back and post a photo of it . .. Post-war the colours changed according to which branch of the forces they went to be it RAF or Navy . . . I hope they help rgds Ian Edited February 3, 2021 by Mancunian airman Added photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcrfan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 If it is a Matador 1/48th kit available - need to upscale your Sabre. https://accurate-armour.com/aa-products/148th-complete-kits-conversioin-sets/k48007 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 3 hours ago, dcrfan said: Not everyone is so uncaring 13010812_10153590099571279_193979001209529054_n by tankienz, on Flickr Not only Hippo refuellers but also a Hippo crane along with a WW2 Amazon crane That's quite the mixed family of trucks. All pieces are classics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancunian airman Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 The tankers are Leyland but the crane is an AEC I believe . . . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) Looks like an AEC Militant Mk1chassis for the crane on the right. Surprised to stll see the Amazon on the left: positively antique! The civilian coloured cabs on the Ford Ds and Bedford TK are surprising. Might that indicate older bodies/trailers with new chassis/tractors? The Bedford is an artic. Can't tell the Fords. What is the tanker on the far right? A Commer of some sort? Edited February 3, 2021 by Das Abteilung correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickshaw Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 Why are you mixing the RAAF up with the RNZAF and the USAF/RAF? The RAAF used Australian vehicles. When on joint bases, they'd have used their own vehicles along with a mix of the other sides. The RAAF used ACCO truck chassis, just as did the whole ADF (Australian Defence Forces) during the 1960s-1980s. These were either Mk.II/Mk.III/Mk.IV or Mk.V versions. The major differences between the Mk.II and Mk.III was the engine, they were both 4x4 vehicles. The Mk.IV were exclusively 6x6 gun tractors. Mk.V were specialised versions of the Mk.IV, often fitted with wrecker, tipper or fuel tankers. Australia paid it's own way on deployments overseas, which was one of the reasons why the military was always so broke. It paid for it's own fuel, ammunition, vehicles and personnel. [ The ADF as far as I know, didn't adopt the Matador, except overseas. There is a picture of one, which served in Singapore online. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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