Make |
Morris |
Model |
Z Type |
Type |
Minor Van, Type 1 and 2 (Morris) |
Body Builder |
|
Use |
External Maintenance |
Registration Number |
GGH 636 (Type 1) and JLD 637 (Type 2) |
Fleet Number |
U18941 to U18990 (GGH 609 - 658) 1940
U19077 to U19226 (GGH 659 - 808) 1940U46501 to U47105 (JLC 395 - 999)
1947
U47106 to U48045 (JLD 1 - 940) 1947 |
Date of pictures |
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Around 12,870 were produced from 1940 until 1953.
The three pictures above show a vehicle in War Time livery.
The same vehicle also appears in the text below.
P.O. ENGINEERING DEPT.
ENGINEERING INSTRUCTIONS
TOOLS & TRANSPORT
VEHICLES
B 3600
Issue 2, 25.11.56
MOTOR TRANSPORT
Minor Van, Type 1
1. General
This Instruction describes the Minor Van, Type 1. The types of duties for
which it is intended are given in B 3550.
2. Description
General views of the vehicle are shown above. Overall dimensions are length 11
ft. 4 in., width 4 ft. 11 in., and height 5 ft. 8 in. The body of the
vehicle is of welded pressed-sheet-metal construction bolted to a Morris chassis
(Type Z). Cab and body are separated by a wire-mesh partition - as shown
in Figs. 3 and 4 - to enable the body to be locked (see par. 12) without
restricting access to the cab. Accommodation is provided externally for an
extension ladder and internally for a step ladder, pruning rods, tools, stores,
E.I.s, etc. A fire extinguisher is mounted on the near-side wing.
3. Ladder carrier
A horizontal type of ladder carrier is provided on the roof for a 'Ladder,
Extension, No. 4 or No. 5 '. At the rear end of the carrier a roller is
fitted to facilitate the placing and removal of the ladder. The roller
should be oiled periodically to ensure smooth and easy rotation. The ladder
should be secured at the front and rear by the straps provided for the purpose.
Only one extension ladder of the specified type may be carried on the ladder
carrier and, except for the special provision mentioned in par. 10, nothing else
may be carried on the roof or on the ladder carrier.
4. Cab
Seats in the cab provide for an occasional passenger in addition to the driver,
the driver's seat being adjustable (see Fig. 3). The spare wheel is
mounted behind the seats, being positioned behind the driver's seat on earlier
issues of the vehicle, and in a central position on later issues. It is
easily taken out or replaced in either circumstance, when the driver's seat has
been moved forward. [When a wheel is changed, the wheel removed from
service should be wiped reasonably clean before it is replaced on the spare
wheel carrier.] A two-compartment wire-mesh container - for E.I.s, log
sheets, diagram folders, works and other papers is provided at the rear of the
passenger's seat (see Fig. 3) where it is readily accessible to the driver's
left hand. When the spare wheel is mounted centrally, two single wire mesh
containers are used in lieu of the two-compartment unit, one container being
positioned behind each seat. A hat and coat hook is provided in a convenient
position behind the seats.
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Fig 3 |
Fig 4 |
5. Step ladder accommodation
'Steps, Folding, 5 tread' (see par. 6) may be carried in an inverted well formed
in the roof (see Fig. 6), where they are secured in position by a webbing strap
at the forward end. When the folded steps are being inserted, the top
should be placed on the lower edge of the aperture, then raised as near to the
horizontal as possible and pushed forward and upward until they can be finally
pulled backward into the rear support. As the webbing strap is tightened
to secure the steps in position, a hinged strip (attached to the lower edge of
the aperture) is also raised and this action lifts the top end of the steps into
the inverted well. This procedure should be reversed when removing the
steps, and particular care must be taken to keep them as nearly horizontal as
possible. The hinged strip must be turned down before any attempt is made
to remove the steps. Other methods may damage the roof and should not be
employed.
6. Requisitions for 'Steps, Folding, 5 Tread' for use on these vans should be
endorsed 'Folding tread type required '.
7. Rack units
Accommodation for stores and tools is provided by rack units which can be fitted
on each side of the interior of the body and which are illustrated in Fig. 5.
When the van is supplied, rack units A only are fitted (see Fig. 4). For
certain duties for which less rack accommodation will be required, one or both
of the A units may be removed (see also par. 9). B and C units are
available as optional fitments, being mounted on top of the A units and secured
by brackets. Fig. 6 shows the appearance of the interior when both B and C units
are fitted, and illustrates a layout of a typical maintenance officer's load.
Owing to the many variations in the circumstances under which Minor Vans may be
employed, it is not practicable to lay down any specific layouts. Much
must be left to the initiative and good sense of each officer in making the best
use of the facilities available. The principle of keeping heavy items on
the lowest level possible should always be observed. Telephone
instruments, spare parts, cords, small stores, etc., should be carried in
suitable cartons to prevent chafing and rattling and every effort made to
utilize the special containers available for certain items, e.g. gloves I.R. and
dials. Articles should not be thrust between the vehicle sides and the
racks.
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Fig 5 |
8. Supply of additional rack units
When additional units are required, requisitions (A 1063) for 'Minor Van Fitting
Unit A, B or C' should be forwarded to the Supplies Dept. On receipt of
the additional items an appropriate entry should be made on the vehicle tool
list (A 1112).
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Fig 6 |
9. Recovery of rack units
Units surplus to requirements should be returned (direct) to the Supplies Dept.,
and the items deleted from the vehicle tool list. A-unit stays not required
should be disposed of locally. The special nuts (Simmonds Elastic Stop
Nuts) provided for the set screws securing the component units together should
not be used for other purposes but should be secured to their relevant units and
returned together with the brackets to the Supplies Dept.
10. Pruning rods
When pruning rods are carried, they may be placed on the floor of the vehicle,
their front ends being passed through the aperture provided for this purpose in
the dividing partition (see Fig. 6). The rear of the set of pruning rods
can be secured to an anchorage set in the floor beside the rear support of the
off-side A unit. Alternatively, they may be carried on the ladder carrier
by means of brackets bolted to the near-side of the ladder carrier (see M 0048).
11. Maximum permissible load
The maximum load that a Minor Van, Type 1, may carry without any fittings is 484
lb. (apart from the weight of the driver which has been taken at 168 lb.).
Hence, if a passenger is carried when a pair of A units (each weighing 34 lb.)
is fitted, then the total weight of tools, stores, etc., must not exceed 248 lb.
The B and C units each weigh 26 lb. and the load carried must be reduced
accordingly when these units are fitted. A periodical examination should
be made by the driver to ensure that surplus items are not carried and that the
maximum permissible load is not exceeded. A simple check can be made by
weighing the van in its moving condition, i.e. with driver, passenger (if
carried), stores, tools racks, petrol, oil, etc. The total moving weight
must not exceed 21 cwt. Any weigh-bridge charges involved should be passed
to 'Freight & Cartage'
12. Locking arrangements
A budget lock is provided on the rear doors, to enable the contents to be
adequately safeguarded when the van is left unattended for short periods.
In addition, a hasp, staple and 1.25 in. padlock have been provided for use
during extended absences. A spring clip prevents chafing by the padlock.
[NOTE: 'Padlocks 1.25 in.' are sometimes of the spring self-locking type; to
prevent the accidental locking of keys inside the van body, it is recommended
that the padlock keys should not all be carried together.] A similar
padlock is provided on the vehicle tool box located under the bonnet. Later
issues of the vehicles are equipped with budget locks on the cab doors.
13. The padlocks provided are of the same suite and care should be exercised to
maintain this condition when replacement locks are requisitioned.
14. Re-enamelling and retouching
The outside of the van has a synthetic enamel finish. Attempts to retouch any
scratched or damaged parts should not be made by the staff using the vehicle;
work of this nature will be undertaken by the Mech. I/C. when necessary and
during periodic overhauls.
15. Towing
Minor Vans, Type 1, are not suitable for towing any type of trailer nor for use
as a power unit to assist working operations, and officers are forbidden to use,
or attempt to use, the vehicle for these purposes.
16. Lifting rings
Two lifting rings are provided beneath cover-plates in the floor at the rear of
the body. These rings are for lifting the vehicle for major repair work only,
and should not be used for other purposes.
17. Signwriting
Standard inscriptions for signwriting are given in C 0015.
18. The speed limit for this vehicle is 30 m.p.h.
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