Advertising Last completed movie pages 1946 ERF CIClass: Trucks, Trailer truck (tractor) — Model origin: 
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◊ 2020-04-26 18:01 |
/vehicle_796031-ERF-CI6-1948.html This is the CI type cab, but Sunbar’s research does not mention a swb tractor. The cab would pre-date the 1948 introduction of the V-type shape but if this is so the vehicle would have been fairly geriatric at the time of filming. |
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◊ 2020-04-26 20:13 |
From previous (rather limited) research ERF tractor units were rare-to-nonexistent before WWII, however during the war they were required by the government to produce them for the war effort. A 7½-Ton simple truck possibly becomes a 16 to 18 ton tractor unit and had a wheelbase of 11ft or 12ft 6in. By 1948 the tractor units were up-to 20 tons. 1938-1943 ERF CI6 with Gardner engines which were in short supply as Gardner engines were allocated to generators etc. 1943-1946 ERF DI6 (AEC engines) then 1946-1948 ERF CI6 reverting back to Gardner engines. So wartime DI6 or post war CI6? -- Last edit: 2020-04-26 20:14:54 |
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◊ 2020-04-26 20:24 |
I wouldn't dare to argue, except to say that I think that the cab with its sloping base to the screens resembles a post war job. I hope it hadn't got a 4LW! -- Last edit: 2020-04-26 20:28:43 |
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◊ 2020-04-26 21:39 |
DI6 and CI6 is the clue for 6-cylinders, the ERF 0E4 trucks were powered with the Gardner 4LW. Cabs with angled bottomed screens were used by the start of WWII (also some straight screens on flat-fronted cabs). December 1939 and November 1940 respectively. ![[Image: dec39.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/558/dec39.jpg) ![[Image: november1940.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/558/november1940.jpg) |
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◊ 2020-04-26 21:55 |
If we assume six cylinders, which one was the larger quantity built, and go for that? |
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◊ 2020-04-26 22:28 |
Odd headlight - broken, or a WW2 type without the shade?? Some small book snippets - disjointed and not enough to give a solution, but might be useful background. these say: - this is a pre-48 when the vertical plank grille seen here was replaced by a vertically curved grille - CI4, CI5 and CI6 versions started in late 30s, soon after ERF began - being Compression Ignition 4 cyl, ditto with Gardner 5LW and ditto with Gardner 6LW respectively - picture with caption of 2 posed shiny new tractor cabs in Winton's Ltd livery (and phone nos. on door C.H.A. 5037 )"supplied to Forestry Commission spec in 1941 .... wheelbase 8ft 5 inches ... fitted with Gardner 5LW". No model name given, they look like our picture (grille, bumpers, screen shape), have the nearside WW2 headlight blind and GGW 95 and 285 plates (= London, March-Dec 41) - "The first postwar brochure for the C.I.5, a number of which had been supplied to the RASC during hostilities..." - pictures of 3 trucks - normal dropside, tractor, tractor and semi-trailer - again all match our picture (grille, bumpers, screen shape) and still have the WW2 headlight blinds. Slogan "Fitted with the famous Gardner engine", and a spec table which repeats tractor wheelbase of 8ft 5 inches and suggests that top speed in 5th gear @1700 rpm was 34.30 mph. |
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◊ 2020-04-27 12:14 |
^interesting that the CI5 rigid truck 4-ton was also probably produced as the basis a tractor unit, I had assumed only the 7½-ton CI6 would account for the tractors. Exactly when the post-war started using Gardner engines again during 1945 or in 1946? Is the postwar brochure dated in any way? My original impression was the movie's truck had a wartime look about it, based again on the headlight but nothing definite. However without any further info or a registration number my best guess for a truck still in use in the 1960s would be a 1946-1948 ERF CI (CI5 or CI6). |
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◊ 2020-04-27 12:54 |
Yes you don't see many of these as tractor units. |
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◊ 2020-04-27 15:59 |
Scanned book page of brochure (British Lorries 1945-65, Rinsey Mills 2006, p85)![[Image: erfci5post-ww2rinseymillsb.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/10314/erfci5post-ww2rinseymillsb.jpg) Smaller pic on opposite page of violet-on-white front cover "ERF OIL-ENGINED VEHICLES: Specification of Model C.I.5 - Capacity 7½ tons, with Trailer 13 Tons". No illustration or date. |
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◊ 2020-04-27 16:15 |
By “with trailer” are they not meaning a rigid truck plus drag, not a tractor and semi trailer combination? |
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◊ 2020-04-27 16:21 |
only 62 bhp from 5.6 litres  |
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◊ 2020-04-27 17:50 |
The Gardner “LW” diesels did about 15 or 16 bhp per cylinder, so yes. They did it at 1,700 rpm and would run for half a million miles with ease, if properly maintained. The 4LW was used in small trucks and little country buses, the 5LW in city buses, including double deckers, and medium to large trucks, and the 6LW in city buses and large trucks. You have to understand the way things were. The speed limit for small trucks and buses was 30mph, and for large trucks was 20mph, not just in town - everywhere. Lighting on vehicles during WW2 was, in UK, limited to little more than a glimmer, for fear of bombing raids. The Gardner engines were always as economical as they were reliable and this country faced a fuel shortage of huge proportions. So, you always got your load of stuff, (provided nobody had nicked it!) but not necessarily quickly. -- Last edit: 2020-04-27 18:21:53 |
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◊ 2020-04-27 18:45 |
... and roads were slow/narrow/cramped. No motorways, very few dual carriageways (probably only suburban designed avenues, not serious trunk roads) or by-passes. So everything could only chug along slowly because there was no opportunity to do anything else. |
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