Model Car Garage - The 1939 Bedford OLB 5 Ton Tanker by EMHAR - A Model Car Unboxing Video
Channel: Monster Hobbies Model Car Garage
Date: 12/01/2024

Today on the Monster Hobbies Model Car Garage, we will be looking at the wonderful 1939 Bedford OLB 5 Ton Tanker by EMHAR. This is a model car unboxing video for all model car and truck builders. 

History and Specifications of the Bedford Trucks: 

The Bedford 'O' series chassis was introduced in 1939, just before the start of World War II during which all industrial production concentrated on military needs. The Ministry of Supply decided on two models from Bedford to meet limited commercial needs for goods vehicles from 1941 onwards.

The OLBD was an 'O' SERIES LONG 5-tons nominal rating Dropside truck and the OSBT was an 'O' SERIES SHORT 5-tons nominal rating End Tipper. 5-tons refers to carrying capacity. The 3-4 ton carrying capacity version has the letter 'A' instead of 'B' as in OLAD etc. Taxation weights were for the OLBD 5-ton Dropside Truck : 2 tons 11 Cwts 0 Qrs 18 lbs. Maximum Gross laden weight for the 5-ton Short & Long Wheelbase models (Models OSB & OLB) was 8 tons 5 cwts. 

Power was from a 6-cylinder OHV petrol engine producing 27.34 h.p., 72 bhp at 3000 rpm. Petrol tank capacity: 16 gallons. Gearbox has : four forward speeds and one reverse. 
Turning circle: 5-ton OSB 42ft, 5-ton OLB 59ft. Lockheed vacuum servo-assisted hydraulic brakes operated on all four wheels. Twin wheels on the rear axle. Electrical current was supplied from a 6-volt 100 amp-hour battery. Instrumentation included ammeter & petrol gauge. 

A single windscreen wiper operated by suction from the engine manifold. A second wiper was an optional extra and standard on some export models, as was a hinged opening windscreen on the driver's side.

Bedfords were made by the Vauxhaul Motors LTD, Luton, Bedfordshire. The Bedford Drivers Club was founded in 1934 and membership was free and open to Bedford drivers and owner-drivers, relief and part-time drivers and driver's mates, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Benefits included free insurance and special facilities in approved rest houses. The Bedford Transport Magazine was published for many years and copies are now very collectible. 

The 'O' type was re-specified for wartime military use resulting in the OYD 3-ton truck of which over 72,000 were built. These had the same 'O'series cab but with the more utilitarian simplified military style mud guards, sloping bonnet and front crash bar. The OYD was specified with a single rear wheels and oversized tyres. There was also the OXC tractor unit version for hauling articulated trailers. 

Production resumed in 1945 and in the immediate postwar period Bedford 'O' types were probably the most common trucks on British roads, partially because over 72,000 OY and over 24,000 OX series were produced in the war years and after the war many were sold off for civillian use. 

Many 'O' series were exported around the world leading to the phrase "You see them everywhere". 'O' type production ceased in 1953 but were seen in active service into the sixties on the roads of Britain and many other parts of the world. Many preserved 'O'types exist including 'OB' coaches on the longer chassis.  - EMAHR box side (I kid you not!)

This model is molded in light grey impact styrene plastic, clear plastic, soft black rubber tires and includes decals for three liveries : Dominion Motor Spirit, Cleveland Motor Spirit and BDA Bradford Dyer's Association tanker trucks. Unfortunately, there are no chrome plated parts on this model. There are 284 parts included in this kit of which 17 are not used and 20 are optional choice parts including the option to build the model with either right or left hand drive, however, only the British right hand drive is shown in the instruction sheet.  

One of the stand out features of this model kit is the hood sides and front grille shroud molded with the louvers opened. The opened louvers will save time for those desiring to have an accurate looking vehicle without having to go the extra distance to remove excess plastic from those pieces. (Think about the filled in grille holes on AMT's 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air kit for example.) 

Another feature of this model is the separately molded cab doors. Although there are no hinges included with this kit, an astute builder can easily add in a hinge arrangement using metal wires and a plastic tube to create functional opening doors on this kit. 

The same can be said about the front I-Beam axle on this kit. With careful removal of the kingpins, a metal rod could easily be drilled through to crate poseable steering. Adding some open eyelets to act as tie rod ends placed on the back of each kingpin would allow the operation of the tie rods. 

The kit looks fantastic and with a little more time spent to include the tips mentioned above, a builder could easily make this model into the most detailed model in their collection. 

Thank you for watching the Model Car Garage - The 1939 Bedford OLB 5 Ton Tanker by EMHAR - A Model Car Unboxing Video