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1953 Bedford RL

1953 Bedford RL in Softly Softly: Task Force, TV Series, 1969-1976 Ep. 6.01

Class: Trucks, Simple truck — Model origin:

1953 Bedford RL

Minor action vehicle or used in only a short scene

Comments about this vehicle

Author	Message
dsl ◊ 2023-06-12 17:55	45BE72 - only info I can find is BE was Army B Vehicles 1951/52
johnfromstaffs ◊ 2023-06-12 19:02	The S-type appears to have been introduced in 1950, so the date is possible, and the style of radiator grille is the earlier one. Presumably the earlier 4x4 3 ton QL provided pointers as to the way ahead. Shame we can’t see the cab roof. /vehicle_35308-Bedford-RL-1954.html -- Last edit: 2023-06-12 19:10:50
jcb ◊ 2023-06-12 22:11	Looks like the military markings have been painted out, maybe just for filming.
Sunbar ◊ 2023-06-13 14:22	Production of the RL started mid-1952 for both military and civilian use. Link to "archive.commercialmotor.com" The earlier types had headlamp mounts in the same position as the S-type on the existing front wings therefore with the increased ride-height the headlamps were higher. The one in the movie has the later lower headlamps (and revised side-light) locations; adaptor panels were fitted in the existing wings. The change happened in either 1953 or 1954 - more work needed to see if it can be better determined, but military registrations do not help here.
johnfromstaffs ◊ 2023-06-13 17:55	When we were building A vehicles, the Ministry used to advise the registration numbers en bloc. My colleague who used to ensure that the correct chassis numbers met the appropriate registrations is no longer amongst us to ask, but a long run of vehicles could have meant a lag of two or three years in a sequence, from Job 1 to the completion. MoD Form 640 enabled claims for payment as one copy (the brown one) was proof of delivery, and contained both chassis number and registration, and the signature and stamp of the MoD inspector who passed the vehicle as fit for service. Presumably these days it is all electronic, I know it was just coming into use when I retired. The old paper-based system was fairly idiot proof, but a bit cumbersome for spares contracts. -- Last edit: 2023-06-13 18:11:15
jcb ◊ 2023-06-16 10:20	I know military hung onto vehicles a long time (particularly expensive ones) with the 'Cast' system but would they still be using a 24 year old truck. Specially a relatively cheap general service one ? Military plate looks suspiciously new. -- Last edit: 2023-06-16 10:30:30
johnfromstaffs ◊ 2023-06-16 10:35	Quite so. The vehicles were frequently subject of very little use, and in some cases were "trickled down" to the territorials, or to training units You may also recall the Bedford fire engines that were stored for years in the stores depot in Ashchurch, Worcestershire, were dragged out as support during a fireman's strike, and then put up for sale. From what I have read, they were a very good buy if you could afford the petrol! iirc a lot of the Saxon APCs were stored there as well, they were designed to replace the Humber Pig and built in Telford, including hull fabrication from scratch, but a change of perception by MoD labelled them as too aggressive and provocative so a lot wound up in places for which they were not designed to work. -- Last edit: 2023-06-16 14:19:13
jcb ◊ 2023-06-16 15:35	If this hot summer continues we may miss all them reserve 4x4 fire engines ( green goddesses)
johnfromstaffs ◊ 2023-06-16 16:11	JCB wrote If this hot summer continues we may miss all them reserve 4x4 fire engines ( green goddesses) Growing up near Cannock Chase, a large area of woodland and location of a couple of army training areas, the local fire station, as well as a typical Staffordshire prewar Leyland Pump Escape, had two very butch looking Thornycroft 4 x 4 machines to handle grass fires and such. They eventually disappeared, so I suppose the Chase is allowed to burn itself out these days. https://www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number7752.asp -- Last edit: 2023-06-16 19:45:22
jcb ◊ 2023-06-17 09:48	Early body ?
johnfromstaffs ◊ 2023-06-17 10:19	It looks as though the roof hatch is present, which is a start.
Sunbar ◊ 2023-06-18 13:24	The thumbnail picture has the same cab as the main picture with the revised headlamp positions and early grille. A list of "ARMY Vehicle Registration Numbers (VRN) [Modern]" can be found on-line which can only provide a snap-shot of army registrations. https://studylib.net/doc/7616272/vehicle-registration-numbers--vrn- This (incomplete) listing suggests the Bedford RL had 'B' registrations in the series starting with 'BJ' and up to 'BS' before resuming with 'CE'. Therefore its less likely a 'BE' actually existed and was modified or generated for the TV series.

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