What have I bought ? Building a Haflinger ex Royal Navy

[westernair]

Why do you not think this is a royal navy Hafi?
from the pics it looks like it had only one seat, had the bed extention (cut off) where the passanger would normally sit.
In the condition of this truck and all the previous owners modificatons it could still be a RN truck.
One could write to SP and ask what the destination was for the VIN number.

[steyr phil]

Steyr Phil, given the wide US readership of these pages, I should point out that to most of (them) a 'MK2 escort' is maybe something VERY different to your friend's RWD throwback. Whilst here in the UK it might be known and loved (by some), I doubt its unremarkable 4 cylinder prowess would stir pulses worldwide.

maybe should have just said an old Ford

Constantin,
The body remains were civilian, the chassis is from a Royal Naval Haflinger - this is the part myself and a gentleman thats involved in running the uk Haflinger club can't work out , the chassis been in such good condition why was its body removed and separated ,,
speaking to ax servicemen I dont think that all the haflingers delivered to the royal navy were built as 'tow tractors'

tonight I had a go with a folding machine , trying to work out a good profile for the rear floor , I've got it somewhere near just need some sheets of steel

[pathfinder700ap]

Hi there,

yes, the body looks like a civilian Haflinger to me (with typical equipment like hood sticks, rear side boards etc.). Also it appears that there are two front seats with guard plates behind them.

The chassis cannot be seen very well in the pictures. If it does not have the brackets for the tow bar, how do you know it was RN? Do you have any paperwork or similar which contains information about the history of the chassis?

I am also sure that the RN, at an earlier stage (i.e. about 1964 or 1965) bought Haflingers without towing device. Maybe this also lead to the Haflingers which were used as tugs (first batch of these was delivered around 1966).

With the serial number, I could certainly try to find out more. Let me know if you're interested!


Kind regards,
Constantin

[steyr phil]

Hi there,

yes, the body looks like a civilian Haflinger to me (with typical equipment like hood sticks, rear side boards etc.). Also it appears that there are two front seats with guard plates behind them.

The chassis cannot be seen very well in the pictures. If it does not have the brackets for the tow bar, how do you know it was RN? Do you have any paperwork or similar which contains information about the history of the chassis?

I am also sure that the RN, at an earlier stage (i.e. about 1964 or 1965) bought Haflingers without towing device. Maybe this also lead to the Haflingers which were used as tugs (first batch of these was delivered around 1966).

With the serial number, I could certainly try to find out more. Let me know if you're interested!


Kind regards,
Constantin

had a go at sending you a PM

regards Phil

[steyr phil]

Hi all ,
Seen something like this done before so thought would have a go ,,
did a bit of machining to make a double press tool for forming some panels , this consists of lower and upper pieces of steel and two center pieces for pressing two different size's , I machined the lower side to suit a pressing for my pal and the upper piece has a smaller slot for my haflinger

6mm plate took a bit of work at .25mm cuts , it would have been quicker drilling slightly undersize then machining



the pressings came out quite well on 1.5mm plate (16 gauge )



this is the final part for one side of the press tool after folding , the tooling took a while to make but a few friends are after some of these parts




Myself and a couple others are quite intrigued about finding the history of my LWB Haflinger rolling chassis its data plate states year built ( Baujahr ) 1965 the clutch tube runs for RHD , I've removed paint on the torque tube to find the same factory khaki green that is on the rest of the rolling chassis including transmision and front diff ,,,
Not sure of other parts or fixings to check on the chassis that make it different from civilian versions ,

[HafWit]

Very nice work. When I had to have my front window frame redone due to extensive rust damage, I decided to change the measurements a bit so that the new replacement was taller and thus beter accomodated my height. I prefer to look out from as close to the center of the window as possible as this gives the best field of view. I am 6'3", so this was a great modification for me to get maximal enjoyment out of such a diminutive vehicle. I point this out because this was a modification that suited me and because you have the opportunity to make changes like this yourself if they would suit you.
Cheers,
Greg

[steyr phil]

Now that would have been a good idea but only been a short ar*e there'd be no need not much to show at the moment just been taking plenty of measurments

[Profpinz]

The rebuild is looking really good....Nice job!

[steyr phil]

thanks Profpinz , welded in the rear frame and chassis mount today measure twice three times four times hope my plans are correct

, I'd thought about building the platform floor , I'd tested out on some strips of steel sheets to make a corrugated panel that I was quite happy with but thought it might take a while to make ,
so went out early this morning to an auto salvage breakers yard with a few measurements and found a roof on a Peugeot boxer van , this had the reinforcement ribs running from side to side and a pressing for a sunroof ( that just fits for the engine hatch

[Profpinz]

Sounds like we had the same problem Phil.
I couldn't get a 718 floor panel so I opted to fold it, but I still wanted the rounded ends so I found I could use a small "entrance panel" that was available.
All part of the joys of rebuilding

[edzz]

Words fail me, extremely impressed.

[steyr phil]

Peter, that looks spot on (have you a thread on that resto ) I must invest in some of them fasteners for holding the panels in position ,
I got permission to use a press brake but the lower tool restricted the type of fold that I was after , think minnimum was 30mm and I was after 18mm so the only way was to use a manualy operated machine at the same works ,

[spandit]

Wow, that's a big project - wish I could weld/fabricate like that...

[Profpinz]

The fasteners are worth their weight in gold Phil.

You may know all about them, but if not, the spring loaded ones are called CLECO'S.....they are great for locating something in place, but often you need to pull it down tight and the light spring in the clecos just isn't sufficient.
For locating and firmly clamping "things" in place get the WEDGELOCKS.....you pull them up with a nut/spanner and they mimic the pressure of a spotweld.
Both types, plus others, are available on Ebay.

Another "fastener" that I use a lot are BUTT WELD CLAMPS ....... brilliant for welding sheets etc together.