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version for carrying water or petrol.[1] These vehicles were widely used during, and after, World War II but were later superseded by the Bedford RL.

Parachute troops hold up an 'enemy' Bedford OYD lorry during Exercise 'Bumper', 2 October 1941

Bedford OY
Overview
ManufacturerBedford (General Motors)
Production1939-1953
72,385 (1940-1945)[1]
AssemblyLuton
Body and chassis
ClassMilitary vehicle
Body styleflatbed, tanker
LayoutLongitudinal front engine,
rear-wheel drive (2x4)
Powertrain
Engine3.5 L 72 bhp I6 petrol
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbasenot known
Length6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
Width2.18 m (7 ft 2 in)
Height3.09 m (10 ft 2 in)
Kerb weight6,568 kg (6.46 long tons)
Chronology
SuccessorBedford 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)
Bedford OXD as seen on War & Peace show 2011, UK


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

Bedford OXC towing a Queen Mary trailer
Bedford OXD captured by Germans in Hungary, 1944

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

  1. 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

  1. "Bedford OY-series - Danish Army Vehicles Homepage". Armyvehicles.dk. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  2. "A Blast from the Past". www.keymilitary.com. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. "THE BEDFORD AND THE SCAMMELL PROVE WELL MATED". The Commercial Motor. Road Transport Media. 10 March 1939. p. 54. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  4. "Bedford OX-D 30cwt GS Truck (Later)". Milicast Model Company. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
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