The Bedford OY is an army lorry (truck[a]) built by Bedford for the British Armed Forces and introduced in 1939. It was based on Bedford's O-series commercial vehicles with a modified front end and single rear tyres. It was designed for a 3-ton payload. The OYD was a general service vehicle,[1] while the OYC was a tanker version for carrying water or petrol.[1] These vehicles were widely used during, and after, World War II but were later superseded by the Bedford RL.

Bedford OY
Overview
ManufacturerBedford (General Motors)
Production1939-1953
72,385 (1940-1945)[1]
AssemblyLuton
Body and chassis
ClassMilitary vehicle
Body styleflatbed, tanker
LayoutLongitudinal front engine,
rear-wheel drive (2x4)
Powertrain
Engine3.5 L 72 bhp I6 petrol
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbasenot known
Length6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
Width2.18 m (7 ft 2 in)
Height3.09 m (10 ft 2 in)
Kerb weight6,568 kg (6.46 long tons)
Chronology
SuccessorBedford TA
Parachute troops hold up an 'enemy' Bedford OYD lorry during Exercise 'Bumper', 2 October 1941

Technical data

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  • Engine: Bedford 6-cylinder, type WD, 3,519 cc (214 cubic inches) displacement, liquid cooled
  • Horsepower: 72 at 3,000 rpm
  • Transmission: 4-speed manual
  • Transfer box: None
  • Electrical system: 12 volt
  • Brakes: Hydraulic with vacuum servo assistance
  • Tyres: 10.50 - 16
  • Fuel type: Petrol
  • Fuel capacity: 145 litres (32 gallons)
  • Range: 450 km (280 miles)
  • Maximum speed: about 65 km/h (40 mph)
 
Bedford OXD as seen on War & Peace show 2011, UK


Variants

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  • OYD - general service
  • OYC - tanker

Derived non-military vehicles using OY and OX chassis[1]

  • OWS - 5-ton short wheelbase
  • OWL - 5-ton long wheelbase
  • OWB - 32 seat bus

Bedford OX

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Bedford OXC towing a Queen Mary trailer
 
Bedford OXD captured by Germans in Hungary, 1944

The OX was a short-wheelbase version of the OY, designed for a 30 cwt (1.5 ton) payload. It had a semi-forward cab that resembled the 15-cwt Bedford MW.[2]

The OXD was a general service vehicle with a 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) by 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) by 2 ft 3 in (0.69 m) tall body, while the OXC was designed, in association with Scammell,[3] for use with a semi-trailer.[4]

In the early part of the war, the addition of an armoured body to the OXD gave the Bedford OXA (official designation "Lorry 30cwt Anti-Tank"). These were used for home defence.

Notes

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  1. ^ In the terminology a truck was a load carrier under 1 ton (20-cwt) payload and a lorry over 30-cwt (1.5 tons), anything that pulled or towed something was a "tractor"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Bedford OY-series - Danish Army Vehicles Homepage". Armyvehicles.dk. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  2. ^ "A Blast from the Past". www.keymilitary.com. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. ^ "THE BEDFORD AND THE SCAMMELL PROVE WELL MATED". The Commercial Motor. Road Transport Media. 10 March 1939. p. 54. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Bedford OX-D 30cwt GS Truck (Later)". Milicast Model Company. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
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