THORNYCROFT ANTAR
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More than 1,000 Diamond T tank transporters remained in service with the British Army long after WW2 but with heavier Centurions and Chieftains coming on-stream sturdier transporters were needed to pull the new 50-tonne trailers.
The first examples, which came into service in 1951, only had trailer hitches but John Prestwood's Mk3A is a tractive unit to haul semis. He wasn't satisfied with the original petrol engine's performance and shoe-horned a Rolls Eagle diesel in its place. It revs more for its 30mph top speed but has improved on the original 3 to 4mpg.
The front end is bulbous and nobbly and with protruding radiator caps, air horns and headlamps the Basingstoke-built Antar has all the style and grace of a hippopotamus.
Getting into the tall day cab via step holes keeps you fit but once inside the secret is out this is another austere military cab that is purely functional.
The wadding-filled adjustable seat is firm and the controls laid out simply. Instruments are off to the left but the gearbox and transfer gear levers are in easy reach.
Manoeuvring is helped by hydraulic power assistance for the Manes cam and double roller steering unit. All the cogs are constant mesh but with the airassisted clutch and careful timing, changing
gears can become a satisfying art—once you get the knack of double-declutching for main and transfer gearbox, balanced with the odd dash on the exhaust brake.
This engine needs only one of the large radiators for cooling but there are two flywheels on both engine and clutch so there's a great deal of inertia to overcome. Nevertheless it can build up a fair head of steam and, thanks to very deep gearing, will pull like a train. According to its owner the Antar can comfortably handle a 1-in-6 (16.7%) gradient at 110 tons gross.
There are multi-leaf spring packs all round but the pivoting, double-reduction rear axles are located by a series of Panhard and radius links.