David Brown Tractor

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Member for

18 years 2 months

Posts: 460

Hope this is allowed - MODS if not please advise

My local boatyard on the Norfolk Broads just put this in their newsletter

We will soon be selling the yards old tractor. If you are interested in an ex RAF David Brown Tugmaster built in the 1940’s and used in the second world war complete with winch please contact the office.

I'd be happy to pass on details to anyone or group interested ( PM me )

Original post

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Can you say where your 'local boatyard' is, JagRigger? Its location might influence the degree of interest some might have.

Member for

18 years 2 months

Posts: 460

Can you say where your 'local boatyard' is, JagRigger? Its location might influence the degree of interest some might have.

Updated

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 9,821

It would also be interesting to know what model, just to make sure it is of WWII vintage and not something newer that just looks older.

Vintage tractors are popular, you occasionally see them at classic car auctions where David Browns are bought by Aston Martin collectors.
Porsche tractors can bring serious money as they are sought after by Porsche fans.

At any rate, if the history is correct, I can see it being offered as an ex-617 Squadron tractor, the very one used to tow the Dambusters around the airfield! :)

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16 years

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It probably has 1944 air in the tyres.

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15 years 10 months

Posts: 36

"At any rate, if the history is correct, I can see it being offered as an ex-617 Squadron tractor, the very one used to tow the Dambusters around the airfield"

Guy Gibsons personal tractor. I've seen a picture of him and his dog posing on it.

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9 years 6 months

Posts: 1,613

At any rate, if the history is correct, I can see it being offered as an ex-617 Squadron tractor, the very one used to tow the Dambusters around the airfield! :)

Every old Tugmaster (which sounds like a euphemism?) is a former 617 machine. Guy Gibson deserves credit simply for slaloming his Lanc around the heaps of Tugmasters littering the runway.

From what I understand, Tugmasters were not allocated to individual squadrons, and didn't have yellow bonnets during WW2 either. But that doesn't stop some!

Member for

5 years 5 months

Posts: 126


"At any rate, if the history is correct, I can see it being offered as an ex-617 Squadron tractor, the very one used to tow the Dambusters around the airfield"

Guy Gibsons personal tractor. I've seen a picture of him and his dog posing on it.

I think you are confusing it with the picture of Guy's dog doing the driving! :dev2:

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19 years 5 months

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Well, he would have the advantage driving a "stick" having four legs and all.

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18 years 10 months

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Howard Keck had one painted in the livery of his vineyard. Ended up looking more like a Morgan.