Interior layout of Monty's Mack Caravan

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Owen, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Has anyone any idea on the interior layout of Monty's Mack bedroom caravan ?
    This one.
    Mack Monty'sBedroomCaravan IWMDuxford 15sep10 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

    I've had a Google around & only found one or two photos of the sink.
    No, I'm not thinking of making the Wespe model of it.
    Scale 1:72 Mack Monty's Caravan

    I was just wondering how it was laid out inside.
    I believe it was originally an Italian General's pride & joy before being captured & mounted on the Mack.
    Was chatting earlier today about modern campervans & it got me thinking that Monty's had to be the most famous one of all.
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    It may have been done in Wheels & Tracks, mate.
    I know I've got some diagrams of the layout of one of his caravans, but thinking about it - it was likely one of the others, or even a Dorchester.
    Will have a shufti, but hopefully someone else'll have more to hand.
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Blank drawn there.
    Brief note on restoration and delivery to IWM in 1989 in issue 29-9
    (Interesting that all three, Mack NR, Leyland Retriever, and Ford 7v were "bequeathed the IWM when Monty died in 1976" - implies they stayed in his possession).
    I'd forgotten they were a 'set' - Bedroom, Private Office, and Map Room respectively.
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I read earlier on a modelling forum there were drawings in a past issue of Military Modelling, not sure which one, I may have even had it myself, years ago.

    This is about only view of the inside I've found.
    Imperial War Museum, Duxford Land Warfare Hall page 2

    The bathroom of the bedroom caravan mounted on a Mack.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Bodston

    Bodston Little Willy

    I am paraphasing here from a reprint of a four page article originally published in the 5/5/1944 edition of "The Autocar".

    Caravan no.2 was originally mounted on an Lancia chassis before it was transferred to the Mack. Captured from Field Marshall Messe, near Enfidaville towards the end of the North African campaign. Built, and later refurbished by the same makers in Tripoli.
    To return to the details of Caravan No.2: The body is about the same size as that of No.1, but is quite differently arranged inside, although the outward structure of canvas exterior and plywood interior are much the same. It provides a large single compartment with the door some way back on the off side. There are three main windows, a fair sized one in each forward quarter with drop glass and sliding black-out panels, and a casement with a black-out panel in the rear. On the left as one enters through the door there is an L-shaped recess, partly enclosed by panelling and partly by curtains which contains the excellent flush-sided porcelain bath, and by the side of the bath is an inbuilt wash basin with chromium fittings and a large oval mirror above. There is a shower spray above the bath, and electric lights are fitted in suitable positions.
    A recess between the foot of the L and side of the body affords hanging space. The interior of this body is rather more sombre than the other, for it is panelled in a darker wood, with black beadings. There is a complete simplicity about it, and the only fanciful object is a large locker or cabinet by the door, finished in a figured walnut veneer, This cabinet also provides a table. On the opposite side of the body is a tall hanging cupboard. Across the front end is the inbuilt bed, the bedding of which rests upon a tensioned lattice work of rubber bands.
     
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  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cheers Bod, I wonder what Monty lived in until the Lancia caravan was found.
    I do like the way it was returned to the original makers for refurbishment.
     
  7. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Off to Duxford on Saturday, wiil see what I can find. Might have to sneak under the rope.!!!!
     
  8. lesfreathy

    lesfreathy Member

    Owen
    a drawing showing the layout of the Mack caravan by Geoff Lacey
    cheers
    Les
     

    Attached Files:

    Aixman and Owen like this.
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Most excellent Les, cheers.
     
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  11. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

  12. janeh

    janeh Member

    Really interested to discover this thread. After my Dad died & we were talking over our memories of him, Mum mentioned that he had been responsible for servicing Monty's caravan during the time he was in Europe. Don't have any other confirmation of this at the moment, but I'm in the process of going through his papers & photos. He was in REME - commanding various Armd Tps Workshops - so it would not seem too far fetched. Sadly Mum no longer around to confirm or elaborate on the claim. See my thread http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/58257-a-treasure-trove-can-you-help-fill-the-gaps/
     

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