Is it a Fergy and what Model?

[Bob (Aust)]

This photo of Douglas DC6B VH-INH was taken at Adelaide, South Australia. The aircraft was operated by TAA from February 26, 1960 to August 29, 1966 so the photo was taken in that period.



The tractor appears to be a Ferguson TEA20 or TEF20 but the seat confuses me. It appears to be in TAA blue and white colour scheme.

I am intrigued as I don't recall our domestic airlines operating Ferguson tractors?

Can any one confirm a Ferguson and possible model?

Thanks

Bob in Oz
 

[Toora Stephen]

I can't tell from that pic, but this one is a MF...

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/1486662/photograph-taa-loading-cargo-onto-aircraft-circa-1970

- TS
 

[Bob (Aust)]

Now, that is interesting! I've seen agricultural tractors on airports fitted with grass tires but never the original lumpy farm tyres.



Later MF diesel tractors were used on airports as you've discovered. I used my TEA20 on Coolangatta airport for a short time around 1990 to pull a fueling trailer, but only after expensive sealing of the ignition and earthing all parts of the tractor to the civil aviation authorities satisfaction.

I think the photo may be earlier than 1970. I need to identify the aircraft type to work out the year.

Bob
 

[tractorsam]

Not sure but I think it's either an MF-30 or MF-50 of either French or North American origins.

I don't think it's a TE because of the straight front axle and steering drag link down the side. General shape and size has me leaning towards an MF-30. Along with the position of the headlights and some form of hood ornament. Sam
 

[Bob (Aust)]

I'm inrigued by whatever is on the hood/bonnet but I love the rear view mirror!

I can't see the front axle radius rods but there appears to be a pipe (?) along the engine, above axle height?

The aircraft in the black and white photo above is a Douglas DC4, dating the photo before the early 1960s.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

Well, as I blow up the details, the one on top looks just like my F40, the other looks like a diesel 35, or the French 25 I posted a couple weeks ago, btw, the top one not only matches the colour of the airplane, but an F40 from the factory, so that might have saved someone some money?
 

[Tony in Mass.]

OK, never mind. Axle ,seat and dash look 40 and 50. The hood orniment might be the jet on the MHF50's, and that makes more sense if Oz was still obigated to buy pommie made goods in those years? I still say the other is a 35 with sealed exhaust, or French 25, which negates the pommie programme?...so I am still confused
Stay tuned for a Standard diesel saga report.... interesting things happened last evening.... not exactly roaring to life, but trying to crawl out of its grave???
And I appoligize that I can't post a pic of the 50's little jet, miserable hornets are living under the 50's tarp, there are only certain things I will do bravely for the fergie world.... that ain't one of them...
 

[Inno]

You still got that old Standard? Can't wait to read that!!!
 

[samn40]

Top marks to Tony ...he has got it right, must be something to do
with the excitement of getting his standard working....a bit!!!
It is indeed a Massey Ferguson 25 made in France. You will notice
the large hub in the steering wheel and the crank on the steering
drag link, The 'ornament' on the hood is in fact a chrome badge and
mounting point which doubles as the air intake. Also note the risers
on the seat backrest common to the 25 and 130. We; done Tony!!!
Sam

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Amazing if it is a French built MF25, but I think that is correct.

I was unaware any non British built Ferguson tractors came to Australia in the 1950s and 1960s.

What years were the MF25 built?
 

[Bob (Aust)]

I am interested in aviation and interested in Ferguson tractors used for aviation purposes.



This photo is captioned "Massey Ferguson MF35 Tractors at RAAF Base, Australia, Circa 1960".

Interesting that the Royal Australian Air Force also operated Ferguson tractors.
 

[Richard L]

according to tractordata.com 1963,1964,1965.
 

[samn40]

Bob if you are looking for tractors in Aviation you maybe need to
look more than skin deep as both of the above tugs are built
around Massey Ferguson 50 and 40 industrial tractors. Open the
cab door and you will see the familiar 135 or 165 type dash and the
torque converter foot pedal operated shuttle box.The companies
that carried out the conversions were either Cameron Gardner or
Millam.
Sam


 

[Tony in Mass.]

Quite awhile ago. maybe 2 years now, someone on another forum post a pic of 2 Ford Ferguson 9N's I suppose, with dualies, both on the edge of Pearl Harbor Bay, the drivers watching the USS Hornet return from launching Dolittle's bombers. That would be a nice tug snapshot for your collection.
I am too modest to accept anything but cigars and Carling black label Sam. To be unusually honest, I was thinking the colour view was a UK 50, the lower B&W pic... well the 25 I saw in the shop a couple weeks ago was fresh in my brain...!!!! where's the pics I took??

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Well, that has been an interesting sleuthing exercise.......

Regarding this photo:



Of the 8 Douglas DC-4s that served with TAA we can eliminate VH-TAE, TAF & TAG which were delivered 64-65 as freighters. The first VH-TAC was sold in 1948 which leaves VH-TAA, TAB, TAC (#2) and TAD. TAD was sold in 1959 and VH-TAA, TAB & TAC (#2) were converted to freighters in 59/60.

The DC4 in the photo hasn't had the freighter conversion as there is no internal liner to protect the windows.

So, my guess the photo was taken circa 1958, which allowing for shipping time from Banner Lane to Australia, makes the tractor serial number somewhere between 1001 and 79552!

The green and white roundel on the left rear guard indicates that an approved spark arrestor is fitted, although why they would leave the upswept exhaust around aircraft is beyond belief.

Bob in Oz