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This vehicle is not currently on display at the Museum
The Western Star recovery vehicle was produced in Canada to a specification drawn up by the REME Workshop at the British Army Training Unit, Suffield (BATUS). The workshop provides repair and recovery support to those units from UK visiting the huge Suffield training area. The training area consists of a treeless undulating prairie where weapons, including tank guns, can fire live ammunition. It has the space for large military units to conduct manoeuvres without interfering with civilian life. There are few constraints other than normal weapon safety and precautions against grass fires in the hot season.
The recovery of vehicles involved in accidents or which break down during exercises is sometimes undertaken by the visiting unit's own REME contingent. However, if the exercise has moved on, BATUS Workshop itself has to recover the vehicle. If the recovery is in a live firing area the recovery vehicle needs to be conspicuous. Therefore, the Western Stars were painted bright red.
An important consideration in the local purchasing of vehicles was the need for them to be able to operate on Canadian roads, in Canadian weather conditions and occasionally over long distances. A left-hand drive vehicle, designed for local conditions and suitable for local commercial maintenance made economic sense.
Western Star is an established truck builder whose system of construction is to buy in manufacturers stock components and to assemble a kit of parts to meet a wide range of specifications. The Company's handbooks therefore tend to cover only the cab and chassis. Separate books being provided by the components' makers to cover engine, transmission and any special equipment carried.
The two vehicles for Suffield were ordered in 1984, coming into service the following year. They were normal control (bonneted) six wheelers, with Hendrickson rear bogies, Fuller transmissions, Caterpillar diesel engines and Holmes wrecker (recovery) equipment. The Holmes equipment consisted of a modernised version of the twin boom crane previously described but now with square section tubular booms. A main winch was installed at the rear of the body and powered winches were provided for the lifting booms or jibs. The vehicles were operated by REME recovery mechanics posted to BATUS as part of the permanent staff of the unit.
By 1996 the Western Stars were considered due for replacement and a newer locally built vehicle on a Volvo chassis was acquired to replace them. The REME Museum had sought to acquire one of the Western Stars for some time, and when they were finally disposed of a vehicle was duly sent to the UK for the collection. This one has a front mounted winch but no chassis winch.
Length |
10.50 m (34 ft 2 in) |
Width |
2.60 m (8 ft 6 in) |
Height |
3.60 m (11 ft 8 in) |
Wheelbase |
6.05 m (19 ft 8 in) |
Engine |
Caterpillar 3208 V8 diesel |
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Page produced by Peter Eldred - Last updated 24 July 2004