Our recent ‘Tanker’ feature in Torque No.44 brought to light the photograph at the head of this article, taken on completion of the vehicle, in November 1949. At first glance most would say that this vehicle was built on a Leyland Octopus chassis - but it was not!

After WWII civil aviation became a steadily growing market. One of the direct consequences of the war had been the rapid development of bigger aircraft which were able to fly at high altitude with pressurized cabins resulting in the ability to fly longer distances which in turn required bigger fuel loads.

Thompson Bros. (Bilston) Ltd., had already established a reputation for building tankers and refuellers and were well aware that aircraft on the ground were not earning money. The brief for the new refueller was for a vehicle which could do the job quickly and be of modern streamlined appearance to conform with the image airline operators were trying to give to their customers of a fast efficient service even while the aircraft were on the ground. The Tyne was of "frameless" construction, fabricated in one complete unit, including pumping chamber and cab. The cab seated up to six persons and was fitted with a sliding roof which gave access to the tank top walkway. Fully laden the Tyne carried 4,000 gallons and was capable of refuelling an aircraft at the rate 400 gallons per minute duly measured, filtered and rendered air free. The pumping equipment was by Varley, the two pumps were driven through a split transmission from the constant mesh p.t.o. mounted behind the main gearbox each pumping set being capable of independent operation. The p.t.o. operated on all 5 gearbox ratios, fourth speed being recommended for maximum fuelling output. The pumping compartment contained two power operated reels with 120ft of 2in. diameter hose or alternatively 95ft of 2½in hose and a 100ft reel of cable used to conduct static electricity to earth. Besides being able to refuel aircraft the Tyne could also offload fuel from aircraft.

Four months later, in March 1950, the “Tyne” is seen in the company of a British Overseas Airways Company, Avro York It is now in the livery of Shell – BP Aviation Service, No.9889. The Avro York was said to be a civilian Lancaster, using Lancaster wings and engines etc. (BCVMT, L040137)

The “Tyne” had an unladen weight of 12t. 11cwt. 2qrs. being fully laden at 25t. 15cwt. 2qrs. it was 30ft. long and 7ft. 6in. wide and used Leyland Octopus running units; O.600 engine, gearbox, radiator, front and rear axles and wheels. It is now 60 years since this revolutionary refueller was built and put into service.