Crane

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Mechanical Transport AP2782B (Section 5) - Cranes

Item	Vehicle	Previous	Next
1	Taylor, Jumbo Light Crane
2	Leyland, 6x4, Retriever chassis with Coles Mk 7, Series 5, 3 ton Crane
3	Thornycroft, 6-ton, 6x4, Model WF/AC6/2 chassis fitted with Coles Mk VII Series 7 Crane
4	Thornycroft, 6x4, Model WF8/NR6 chassis with Coles Mk 7, Series 7, 5 ton Crane
5	AEC, 6x6, Type 0854 chassis fitted with Coles Mk VII Series 7 Crane
6	Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10 ton, Crane, Model L96404-1 (Gasoline)
7	Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10 ton, Crane, Model L96404-1 (Diesel)
8	Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10-ton Crane, Model L96404-5 (Diesel)
9	Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10-ton Crane, Model L96004-4 (Diesel; dual control)
10	Neal, 1-ton, Crane/Gantry, Bomb Hoist
11	Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10-ton Crane, Model L96404-4 (Diesel; dual control: with sheer legs)
12	Crane, 4-ton, Fast Mobile, 4x2, Iron Fairey - Type 4FM
13	Jones, 6x6, 12.5-ton Crane, GP and Aircraft lifting
14	Coles/Steel,, 6x6, 5-ton, Truck Mounted, GP Crane

Taylor, Jumbo Light Crane Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1396 (Vehicle); 16A/2243 (with slewing gear); 16A/2306 (with grab)
Engine	Perkins, P4-Ind, direct injection four stroke diesel, 4-cyl, liquid cooled, 40 bhp @ 1,800 rpm (governed)
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions - Crane in travelling position, main jib lowered, front jib horizontal, adapter fitted	Length - 25ft 6in (12ft0in jib overhang); Width - 7ft 0in; Height - 10ft 3in; WB - 8ft 6in; G/C -8in ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - 6 tons 14 cwt; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes	Fully mobile, non slewing, hydraulically operated crane. Load lifting effected by derricking a jib provided with three hook positions, for 60 cwt, 50 cwt and 40 cwt loads and an adaptor for lifting 25 cwt loads. The lifting equipment is mounted on a diesel, four wheeled, pneumatic tyred chassis with rear wheel steering.

Leyland, 6x4, Retriever chassis with Coles Mk 7, Series 5, 3 ton Crane Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/506 (Vehicle); 16A/832 (Chassis)
Engine
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes

Thornycroft, 6-ton, 6x4, Model WF/AC6/2 chassis fitted with Coles Mk VII Series 7 Crane Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/507; (Vehicle); 16A/856 (Chassis)
Engine
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes

Thornycroft, 6x4, Model WF8/NR6 chassis with Coles Mk 7, Series 7, 5 ton Crane
RAF Ref No	16A/860 (Vehicle); 16A/859 (Chassis):
Engine
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes

AEC, 6x6, Type 0854 chassis fitted with Coles Mk VII Series 7 Crane Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/623
Engine
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes

Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10 ton, Crane, Model L96404-1 (Gasoline) Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10 ton, Crane, Model L96404-1 (Diesel) Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1389 (Gasoline); 16A/2244 (Diesel)
Engine	AEC, Type A193C, Petrol, 6-cyl, ohv, liquid cooled, 92 bhp @ 1,800 rpm (16A/1389) or AEC, Type A187K, Diesel, direct injection, 6-cyl, ohv, liquid cooled, 95 bhp @ 1,800 rpm
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions	Length - 38ft 9in/11.88m (with overhanging jib), 7.16m (chassis); Width - 8ft 3in/2.48m; Height - 13ft 6in/4.18m; WB - 14ft 9in/4.49m; G/C - 12in; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - 22 tons 6 cwt; Laden - :
Safe working loads	(without sheer legs) Static condition - outriggers extended 10 tons @ 10ft radius 8 tons @ 12ft radius 6 tons @ 15ft radius 4½ tons @ 20ft radius 2½ tons @ 30ft radius Fully mobile condition - outriggers retracted 7 tons @ 9ft 6in radius 5 tons @ 12ft radius 3½ tons @ 15ft radius 1¾ @ 27ft radius 1¼ tons @ 30ft radius Maximum hook height 33ft 6in at 9ft radius
Tyres
Notes	Lorry mounted, semi mobile, full slewing electric jib crane mounted on a gasoline engined, six-wheeled, pneumatic tyred, forward control chassis fitted with outriggers. Power for the lifting equipment is provided by a DC generator powered by a Ford Industrial V8, 30 hp gasoline engine, mounted on the superstructure of the crane. The chassis is provided with a four-speed main gearbox and two-speed auxiliary gearbox, a five ton winch is driven by a PTO from the auxiliary gearbox. Towing jaws are fitted both at the front and the rear but no provision is made for trailer braking. Provision is made for the attachment of sheer legs to the jib so that the maximum safe working load of 10 tons can be lifted at a radius of 26-27ft, in line with the chassis, when the crane is employed on aircraft salvage duties.

Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10-ton Crane, Model L96404-5 (Diesel) Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1916
Engine	AEC, Type A187K, Diesel, direct injection, 6-cyl, ohv, liquid cooled, 95 bhp @ 1,800 rpm
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions	Length - 39ft 0in (travelling condition, jib horizontal over cab); Width - 8ft 2in; Height - 13ft 8in; WB - 12ft 9in; G/C - 8in; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Safe working loads	(without sheer legs) Static condition - outriggers extended 10 tons @ 10ft radius 8 tons @ 12ft radius 6 tons @ 15ft radius 4½ tons @ 20ft radius 2½ tons @ 30ft radius Fully mobile condition - outriggers retracted 7 tons @ 9ft 6in radius 5 tons @ 12ft radius 3½ tons @ 15ft radius 1¾ @ 27ft radius 1¼ tons @ 30ft radius Maximum hook height 33ft 6in at 9ft radius
Tyres
Notes	Lorry mounted, semi mobile, full slewing electric jib crane mounted on a diesel engined, six-wheeled, pneumatic tyred, forward control chassis fitted with outriggers. Power for the lifting equipment is provided by a DC generator powered by a Perkins P4 Industrial disel engine, mounted on the superstructure of the crane. The chassis is provided with a four-speed main gearbox and two-speed auxiliary gearbox, high ratio can be applied top four or six wheel drive but low ratio to six wheel drive only. Towing pins are provided at the front and the rear but no provision is made for trailer braking. Provision is made for the attachment of sheer legs to the jib so that the maximum safe working load of 10 tons can be lifted at a radius of 26-27ft, in line with the chassis, when the crane is employed on aircraft salvage duties.

Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10-ton Crane, Model L96004-4 (Diesel; dual control)
RAF Ref No	16A/2126
Engine
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes

Neal, 1-ton, Crane/Gantry, Bomb Hoist Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1931 (Vehicle); 16A/2123 (Chassis)
Engine	JAP, type 6, petrol, single cylinder, air-cooled, 5.5 bhp @ 1,800 rpm
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length - 32ft 9in; Width - 6ft 1in; Height - 21ft 4in (Gantry lowered), 29ft 4in (Gantry raised); WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - 3 tons 8 cwt; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes	Whilst categorized for convenience as a crane, it was actually a piece of armament loading equipment and was only to used for that purpose. Self-propelled solid tyred chassis carrying an adjustable gantry on the end of which is mounted a hydraulic jack. The gantry can be traversed hydraulically through an arc of 30o and elevated or lowered manually through an arc of 30o (15o up or down from the horizontal). Power for chassis movement and for the hydraulic system is obtained from an air-cooled petrol engine. The vehicle is driven by V-belts and a chain drive to a single road wheel only; no gearbox is provided and the vehicle is suitable only for short journeys on hard level surfaces at a maximum speed of 2¼ mph. The vehicle can be towed at a maximum of 12 mph after the transmission and steering have been disconnected.

Coles/Steels, 6x6, 10-ton Crane, Model L96404-4 (Diesel; dual control: with sheer legs) Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/2324
Engine
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body
Tyres
Notes

Crane, 4-ton, Fast Mobile, 4x2, Iron Fairey - Type 4FM (Manufacturer - British Crane & Hoist Co Ltd) Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/2650
Engine	Ford, 4-cyl, ohv, diesel engine, liquid cooled, type 592E, 61.5 bhp @ 2,250 rpm
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length - 17ft 2in/5.23m (with 4ft 9in/1.44m jib overhanging at front); Width - 7ft 9in/2.36m; Height - 8ft 5in/2.56m; WB - 7ft 0in/2.13m (Track front and rear - 1.98m); G/C - 10in/250mm; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - 9 ton 7 cwt; Laden - :
Safe working loads	4 tons @ 8ft radius (maximum hook height - 22ft) 3 tons @ 9ft 6in radius 2 tons @ 12 ft radius 18 cwt at 21 ft radius
Tyres
Notes	The vehicle is designed for use on prepared or firm unprepared surfaces. The hydraulic telescopic jib and the lifting hook are designed to give a maximum lift of 4 tons at 8ft radius. The rear axle is used for steering the vehicle and is designed to pivot at the centre of the beam when the jib is in the fore or aft position; automatic hydraulic axle locks prevent the axle from pivoting when the jib is being slewed. The fully enclosed sheet metal cab is fitted with toughened glass windows and roof light and laminated glass windscreens. The hydraulic controls are located in the cab adjacent to the driver's position

Jones, 6x6, 12.5-ton Crane, GP and Aircraft lifting Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/2536
Engine	Leyland 0/600, type UE/600/143, diesel direct injection, 6-cyl, liquid cooled, 125 bhp @ 1,800 rpm
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length - 41ft 0in/12.49m (Jib length = 9.14m); Width - 8ft 3in/2.51m; Height - 14ft 0in/4.27m; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - 27 tons 12 cwt; Laden - :
Safe working loads	(outrigger jacks in use) 1: Blocked duties - outriggers extended (a) 30ft jib (rope 4 falls) 12½ tons @ 10ft radius 8 tons @ 12ft radius 4¾ tons @ 15ft radius 5¾ tons @ 17ft 6in radius 4 tons @ 20ft radius 3 tons @ 25ft radius 2¼ tons @ 30ft radius (b) 45ft jib (rope 3 falls) 4¾ tons @ 16ft radius 3¼ tons @ 20ft radius 2¼ tons @ 24ft radius 2 tons @ 29ft radius 1½ tons @ 34ft radius 1¼ tons @ 38ft radius 2: Free duties (outrigger jacks retracted) (a) 30ft jib (rope 4 falls) 7 tons @ 10ft radius 5¼ tons @ 12ft radius 4 tons @ 15ft radius 3¼ tons @ 17ft 6in radius 2¾ tons @ 20ft radius 2 tons @ 25ft radius 1½ tons @ 30ft radius (b) 45ft jib (rope 3 falls) 3 tons @ 16ft radius 2 tons @ 20ft radius 1½ tons @ 24ft radius 1¼ tons @ 29ft radius 1 ton @ 34ft radius ¾ ton @ 38ft radius (c) 45ft jib with sheerlegs stowed (rope 2 or 3 falls) 3 tons @ 16ft radius 2 tons @ 20ft radius 1½ tons @ 24ft radius 1 ton @ 29ft radius ¾ ton @ 34ft radius ½ ton @ 38ft radius 3: Sheerleg duties (rope 3 falls) 20 tons @ 35ft radius 4: Aircrew Emergency rescue 16 tons @ 15ft radius 14 tons @ 17ft 6in radius 12 tons @ 20ft radius 10 tons @ 23ft 6in radius
Tyres
Notes	Semi mobile, full slewing mechanically operated lattice frame jib crane mounted on a 6x6 truck type chassis fitted with outrigger jack. The crane be used in either a mobile or immobile condition. All crane operating controls are position adjacent to the operator's control seat. A duplicate set of driving controls, including steering gear is provided for travelling the crane from the operator's seat when the crane is used on 'free duties'.

Coles/Steel,, 6x6, 5-ton, Truck Mounted, GP Crane Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/2686
Engine	AEC AV690, 6-cyl, ohv, diesel, 179 bhp @ 1,800 rpm
Gearbox
Performance	Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action - :
Dimensions	Length -29ft 6in/8.99m (with overhanging jib), 24ft 6in/7.47m (chassis) ; Width - 7ft 8in/2.33m; Height - 13ft 3in/4.04m; WB - 13ft 0in/3.96m; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen -20 tons 0 cwt ; Laden - :
Safe working loads	(through full circle slew with 30 ft jib) Static condition - outriggers extended 7½ tons @ 10ft radius 6 tons @ 12ft radius 4½ tons @ 15ft radius 3¼ tons @ 17ft 6in radius 2¾ @ 20ft radius 2 tons @ 25ft radius 1½ tons @ 30ft radius Fully mobile condition - outriggers retracted 5 tons @ 10ft radius 3¾ tons @ 12ft radius 2¾ tons @ 15ft radius 2¼ tons @ 17ft 6in radius 1¾ @ 20ft radius 1¼ tons @ 25ft radius 1 ton @ 30ft radius
Tyres
Notes	Five ton, telescopic continuously slewing electrically powered jib crane mounted on a diesel engined 6x6 pneumatic tyred truck chassis. A power assisted Marles cam and double roller type steering gear is fitted. The steering gear assembly together with the driver's seat is reversible and a duplicate set of foot controls is provided for when the driver's seat and steering are positioned for crane duty.

This page was last updated on 18/03/25^©