The History of Scammell Trucks
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Scammell began when George Scammell of Spitalfields, London developed his business.
George Scammell’s great nephew, Lt Col Alfred Scammell was injured and invalided out of the army during World War 1 and he was able to apply the practical experience he had gained during the war and began developing the articulated six wheeler, which began production in 1920.
1929 saw the introduction of the articulated “hundred tonner” heavy haulage vehicle and only two of these vehicles were produced. The early 1930s saw the production of the 3 wheeled “Mechanical Horse”. It featured automatic carriage coupling and the single front wheel could be steered through 360 degrees.
During World War 2, Scammell made a massive contribution to the war effort by building large numbers of tank transporters, gun tractors and heavy recovery vehicles as well as fire pumps.
In the late 1940s, Scammell produced the Scarab, which replaced the “Mechanical Horse”.
1955 saw Scammell become part of the Leyland Group and this provided ready access to the Leyland engines, gearboxes and axles. A gradual replacement for the lightweight range by new models using Leyland engines including the 4×2 Highwayman MU and a 4×2 forward control MU called the Handyman. Many military versions were supplied to the Ministry of Defence. However, pressure from UK hauliers resulted in the development of 4×2 versions. So popular were these units that production was transferred to Guy Motors at Wolverhampton.
The late 1970s saw a surge in development and the birth of the Contractor Mark 2 heavy hauler and the first Commander Tank Transporter for the British Army were produced. Two developments by Leyland Motors at the end of the 1970s benefited Scammell. Leyland wished to develop two new heavy vehicle ranges, the overseas bonneted Landtrain and the UK forward control Roadtrain that would feature the new C40 tilt cab.
In 1987, Scammell learned that the tender for 1522 such vehicles was successful, but also that the Leyland Group had been purchased by DAF BV of Holland.
In July 1988, the Watford factory closed. The S24 and the Nubian ranges, together with the rights to the Crusader and Commander were sold to Unipower Ltd, who opened a new plant in West Watford.
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Source by Dawn Martin
