Bedford OY
The Bedford OY is an army lorry (truck[lower-alpha 1]) built by Bedford for the British Armed Forces and introduced in 1939. It was based on Bedford's O-series commercial vehicles with a modified front end and single rear tyres. It was designed for a 3-ton payload. The OYD was a general service vehicle,[1] while the OYC was a tanker version for carrying water or petrol.[1] These vehicles were widely used during, and after, World War II but were later superseded by the Bedford RL.
| Bedford OY | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bedford (General Motors) |
| Production | 1939-1953 72,385 (1940-1945)[1] |
| Assembly | Luton |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Military vehicle |
| Body style | flatbed, tanker |
| Layout | Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive (2x4) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.5 L 72 bhp I6 petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | not known |
| Length | 6.22 m (20 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 3.09 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Kerb weight | 6,568 kg (6.46 long tons) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Bedford TA |
Technical data
- Engine: Bedford 6-cylinder, type WD, 3,519 cc (214 cubic inches) displacement, liquid cooled
- Horsepower: 72 at 3,000 rpm
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Transfer box: None
- Electrical system: 12 volt
- Brakes: Hydraulic with vacuum servo assistance
- Tyres: 10.50 - 16
- Fuel type: Petrol
- Fuel capacity: 145 litres (32 gallons)
- Range: 450 km (280 miles)
- Maximum speed: about 65 km/h (40 mph)
Variants
- OYD - general service
- OYC - tanker
Derived non-military vehicles using OY and OX chassis[1]
- OWS - 5-ton short wheelbase
- OWL - 5-ton long wheelbase
- OWB - 32 seat bus
Bedford OX
The OX was a short-wheelbase version of the OY, designed for a 30 cwt (1.5 ton) payload. It had a semi-forward cab that resembled the 15-cwt Bedford MW.[2]
The OXD was a general service vehicle with a 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) by 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) by 2 ft 3 in (0.69 m) tall body, while the OXC was designed, in association with Scammell,[3] for use with a semi-trailer.[4]
In the early part of the war, the addition of an armoured body to the OXD gave the Bedford OXA (official designation "Lorry 30cwt Anti-Tank"). These were used for home defence.
Notes
- In the terminology a truck was a load carrier under 1 ton (20-cwt) payload and a lorry over 30-cwt (1.5 tons), anything that pulled or towed something was a "tractor"
References
- "Bedford OY-series - Danish Army Vehicles Homepage". Armyvehicles.dk. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- "A Blast from the Past". www.keymilitary.com. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- "THE BEDFORD AND THE SCAMMELL PROVE WELL MATED". The Commercial Motor. Road Transport Media. 10 March 1939. p. 54. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- "Bedford OX-D 30cwt GS Truck (Later)". Milicast Model Company. Retrieved 29 November 2012.