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Truck Of The Day: May 20, 2017; Matchbox '66 Alvis Stalwart
Topic Started: May 20 2017, 10:16 PM (276 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's truck of the day is the 1966* Alvis Stalwart from Matchbox. The model was first introduced in a civilian livery in 1966. This military model dates from 1978 and was sold as half of a twin pack (TP16) with Matchbox no.71 Ford wreck truck.

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The model is from Chris.P’s collection.

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In the 50s, in the height of the Cold War, the thinking was that WWlll would start with nuclear missiles and then blitzkrieg type tank battles across Eastern Europe. River bridges would be down. The tanks would need to be supplied with fuel and ammunition. A fast high mobility amphibious vehicle was needed. The older WWll DUKW wasn't suitable as it was really just a ship to shore vehicle.

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The Stalwart was the 4th vehicle in the FV600 series. These all shared components with each other and had standardised Rolls Royce petrol engines with many other military vehicles.

Matchbox made all 4 of the series. Stalwart, Salamander, Saladin and Saracen.

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Wikipedia
 
The Stalwart was a private venture by Alvis that was adopted and entered service with the British Army in 1966 as a general transport truck in preference to the (tracked) FV431, the load carrier variant of the FV430 series. It was one of the same line of vehicles that included the Alvis Saracen, Saladin and Salamander. The high mobility and amphibious capabilities were considered ideal for resupplying units in the field, particularly those of the BAOR.

BAOR = British Army Over (the) Rhine

The Stalwart was rated at 5 tons capacity although this was reduced to 3 tons when swimming as it sat low in the water.

For video clip of a early Stalwart (1962) being trialled, please visit: : Stalwart video

This is a silent clip. The Stalwart is undergoing tests, the MTB sailing fast and close by is seeing what effects rough water has on it.

For a video clip of a Stalwart swimming in Lake Coniston, please visit: :Alvis Stalwart in Coniston

Listen to that bellow!

Like the Saladin and Salamander the Stalwart had a rear mounted engine. A straight 8 6.5 litre petrol engine powered these. They shared components with 4 and 6 cylinder petrol engines used in smaller military vehicles.

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Internally they are a complex collection of engine, transmission, shafts etc.

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For real vehicle, details and history, please visit: : Alvis Stalwart

The unloved one here lives at a watersports centre on Windermere. Its not run for few years now. It could get through 50-70 litres of petrol in an afternoon. They return about 5mpg.

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The design of the suspension, drive and steering components is quite something to see. The steering is just to the right.

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The model is a Mk1 version without the angled outer front windows. It’s got one piece wheels and was one of the few Matchboxes not to be converted to Superfast wheels. Quite a common sight at swap meets albeit without the yellow canopy fitted to the early white versions. There was never an interior. Its got a degree of suspension from tabs on the window unit.

This models scale is 1/118th. There are few, if any, other models of it in this sort of scale. Larger ones were produced by Dinky and Solido were made as well as specialist white metal models. Airfix made a ready built 1/32 scale model, in plastic, for use with their larger scale soldiers.

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* Stalwarts had been tested and developed from the early 60s. Initially as a private enterprise and latterly with the Army. 1966 is the year when actual non prototype deliveries started.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
Ahaaa! Now I see where HW got the idea of making the ore cart from Minecraft.
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
This made for a neat looking Army vehicle - glad Matchbox made a military version of it. Again I have learned something - was not aware that these were powered by Rolls Royce petrol engines! Love it when I learn stuff like that here! :thumbup:
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chris.p
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I wrote this COTD last week. Last Sunday we went to to Windermere (Its the largest lake in the UK Lake District.)

By coincidence someone took their own Stalwart for a swim. Its been re-engined with a diesel so that its a little more economical.

These are the links to the you tube videos that I've just uploaded.

https://youtu.be/wWGK5rgw3pY

https://youtu.be/iJD66TEglzo

The original RR engines were part of a modular series. 4 cylindered for Austin Champ, 6 for others and 8 for these.

Also fitted to civilian fire engines etc.

The army was petrol only until they realised that moving to diesel would about halve the amount of fuel they needed to ferry around.

We go to Windermere for this.... paddlersforlife.co.uk If anyones up there on a Sunday from Spring to Autumn.....

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