Airport vehicle question... Austin Champ
Join Date: May 2011
Location: France
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Fast jet friend used to rally one in the RAF, would have been in the late 60s(?) He also commented on the ease of rolling them and the weak back diff.
I bought one in 69 for £45 (I was rooked!) to retrieve a boat from the SOF. Did about 9mpg, but towed well. Nice, if heavy, steering. Would do 95 flat out with the screen down and even London Taxis respected it.
I bought one in 69 for £45 (I was rooked!) to retrieve a boat from the SOF. Did about 9mpg, but towed well. Nice, if heavy, steering. Would do 95 flat out with the screen down and even London Taxis respected it.
Join Date: May 2007
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I did time in an Artillery regiment equipped with Champs.
The best fun of all was driving in a convoy of 10 or more through a town, everyone in the lowest gear possible. The banshee wail of the vehicles, created by the necessarily huge cooling fan, magnified and echoing in the narrow streets, was one of the "sounds of the '60s".
What was not so much fun was waiting for the specially trained mechanic with a special tool kit, to open up the engine water-proofing casing and change a plug.
The best fun of all was driving in a convoy of 10 or more through a town, everyone in the lowest gear possible. The banshee wail of the vehicles, created by the necessarily huge cooling fan, magnified and echoing in the narrow streets, was one of the "sounds of the '60s".
What was not so much fun was waiting for the specially trained mechanic with a special tool kit, to open up the engine water-proofing casing and change a plug.
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Also used by the BAAC at LHR
In the 70's we at the British Airports Authority Constabulary had one in white Police livery. The back door had been in-filled with concrete as it towed a large steel / concrete trailer and was used to attend bomb threats/ and the suspect items were placed inside the trailer, I never drove it but had a lift in it and it was so heavy it could barely reach 30mph.
Slightly off subject but aviation connection.
Slightly off subject but aviation connection.
