1943 - what make and model of RAF bus

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Capt Bill, Aug 27, 2014.

  1. Capt Bill

    Capt Bill wanderin off at a tangent

    Hi all

    I am hoping that someone could help me identify the make and model of a bus for me.

    On the 7th February 1943 8 members of 51 Sqn / SHQ of RAF Snaith died when the bus they were travelling in collided with a wall in Knottingley, East Yorkshire

    I have the press reports on the day, and subsequent court case, but no mention of what type of bus they were passengers in.

    What info I do have is that two RAF 'motor-buses' were going from Pontefract to RAF Snaith following a recreational evening

    The bus had an emergency door to the rear, and was a 24 seater (not including driver). At the time of the crash it was actually carrying 41 passengers


    Any help would be fantastic

    Yours

    Bill
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Bill, the normal RAF crew coach body seems to be generally listed as a 26-seater. According to Vanderveen, similar bodies were fitted to Fordson WOT1, Dodge VK62B and Austin K6. They had double rear doors.

    There has been a nice blog about the restoration of Dennis Poore's RAF Dodge-based race car transporter (I came across it as Poore was later owner of Norton-Villiers)

    http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodgehistory.htm
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Bill a bit about civilian buses not sure it helps you though

    Faced with a requirement to meet the demands of war production and to replace war-damaged and life-expired vehicles, the Ministry of Supply authorised the construction of 'utility' buses from 1941. The only single-decker available was to be the Bedford OB, the chassis of which, as the OWB, differed only from the pre-war OB in respect of the military-style head and side lights and the lack of chromium trim. A prototype was built in 1941, which had an offside emergency door and upholstered seats for 29 passengers. Production vehicles differed in having a central rear emergency door and timber slatted seats for 32 passengers, the most which could be crammed in with minimum knee room to comply with Construction and Use Regulations.
    http://www.little-bus.com/bus-kits/bd4.html

    regards
    Clive
     
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  4. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

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  5. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Good spot, Lesley.

    One of the witnesses refers to 'the RAF lorry' which suggests that it didn't look like a coach cab and there is also the reference to a separate cab.

    I'd be inclined to think that it points in the direction of the Austin K6 Crew Bus or the Fordson WOT1 Crew Coach.
     
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  6. Capt Bill

    Capt Bill wanderin off at a tangent

    many thanks all for your support and suggestions
     
  7. billh35

    billh35 Active Member

    The RAF were also using vehicles impressed from Yorkshire operators. This is a Leyland being used as an airfield crew tender but not likely to be mistaken for a lorry.

    RASC West Yorkshire with RAF.png

    Similarly this is a Dennis Lancet in use by the RAF but curiously still keeping its' civilian identity.

    RAF Dennis Lancet BRW 372.jpg
     

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