Jump to content

RAAF/RTAF aircraft refueling truck reference?


Cuppa_joe

Recommended Posts

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

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.

spacer.png

 

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

spacer.png

 

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

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 by dcrfan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, bootneck said:

Look more closely Obi-Wan :undecided: 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

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

8 hours ago, busnproplinerfan said:

Fuel trucks are so seldom photographed, no one cares about them.

Not everyone is so uncaring

 

50904768651_f2bc28e809_b.jpg13010812_10153590099571279_193979001209529054_n by tankienz, on Flickr

 

Not only Hippo refuellers but also a Hippo crane along with a WW2 Amazon crane

Edited by dcrfan
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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  . .. 

AEC-Tanker-036.jpg

 

AEC-Tanker-033.jpg

 

AEC-Tanker-034.jpg

 

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 by Mancunian airman
Added photos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, dcrfan said:

Not everyone is so uncaring

 

50904768651_f2bc28e809_b.jpg13010812_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

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 by Das Abteilung
correction
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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. 

 

3828371.JPG[

 

attachment.php?s=c648424f3a6dcd371f6edb3

 

attachment.php?s=c648424f3a6dcd371f6edb3

 

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.

 

another-view-of-the-raaf-aec-matador-ref

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...