RAEME M816

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Howard816
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RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:10 am

Royal Australian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers - Medium Wrecker.

Hi all - looking for some more info from anyone down under who knows of, used or has M816.

I have been researching and collecting necessary pieces parts to turn a US issue 816 into a replica of the ones used by RAEME.
I already have a few contacts, ex recy mechs, RAEME historian, museum staff etc., providing pics, info.

I also have a handle on pretty much all the pre issue modifications or purchase spec differences, as well as a lot of the different 'end user' or 'craftie' mods that were allowed or where a blind eye was turned by officers - even 'over night' modifications.

Would also like info on CES carried by Recy Mechs.
(That's BII for [US])

Would eventually like to publish this as a reference document... after I have finished my conversion.

Looking forward to any / all contacts.

Howard

For simplicity of this thread, I'll be 'editing' posts and pictures with more info, notes etc., as I get time or more info provided

I have also encountered language variations, nomenclature, Military "jargon" and other differences in terminology. I will endeavour to clarify where terms come from if there is conflict to keep all readers happy/informed... Noting as follows for Australian [AU], American [US] or British [UK] terms.
eg: Recovery Mechanic [UK][AU] = "Recy Mech" (military jargon), "Hotel 8" [US] equivalent (H8 - recovery engineer training)
Last edited by Howard816 on Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:21 am, edited 9 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500


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Re: RAEME M816

Post by artificer » Thu Dec 03, 2015 11:02 am

You should put in your approximate location....user control panel & insert.

My unit, 101 Field Wksp had M543 vehicle/s in SVN [66-67].
We are apparently having a 50th re-union next year & some of the Recovery Mechanics may be there.
Here are 2 M543's with 106 Field Workshop.
Image.
John GIBBINS Member Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers [Ret], ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck & Auto Technician USA -2002 Licensed Motor Mech NSW MVIC 49593 Current 2015
TO DIAGNOSE, TROUBLESHOOT OR FAULT FIND ANY AUTO SYSTEM....
Understand how system parts interact with one another. GOOD parts can then be established & the NOT GOOD problem/s part/s isolated for repair or replacement.

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Howard816
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Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Thu Dec 03, 2015 1:06 pm

What were their names?

Just like "Tunza Gutz".
Oz 5 ton - 3.jpg
Oz 5 ton - 3.jpg (28.44 KiB) Viewed 6534 times

Interesting star over the roo...?
Here is a M816 pic from 103 Wk shp. Pic comes from RAEME Association I think.
Attachments
103 Fd Wksp 1.jpg
103 Fd Wksp 1.jpg (100.69 KiB) Viewed 6562 times
Last edited by Howard816 on Sun Dec 06, 2015 1:55 pm, edited 3 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
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Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Thu Dec 03, 2015 1:15 pm

1 Tsp Sqn wksp
1 Tsp Sqn Wksp 1.jpg
1 Tsp Sqn Wksp 1.jpg (79.31 KiB) Viewed 6562 times
Roof cage/rack/bin - very similar to those on Canadian CCKWs, exhausts extended past or above bin as necessary.
One of the trucks at Bandiana
Phil's truck 1.jpg
(228.34 KiB) Downloaded 3008 times
Unique mods on this one - raised bonnet ("hood" [US]) and refab'd sides and front for clearance of Jake brake install, also second drivers side fuel tank, (larger) with filler neck switched, put in place of passenger side smaller tank, additional slave socket mounted on cab side for 12v. Roof bin on this truck was used for an additional 300' of 3/4" steel cable for 'distant' recoveries (rear drag winch has 3/4" cable). Missing from this truck since de-mob is a steel locker mounted to the passenger side wing used for cooking equipment. This trucks had to be totally self sufficient, inc medical kit, for extended solitary recoveries in the 'bush'.

Other known mods on this truck - drivers springer seat moved to the passenger side, passenger 'bench' seat junked. Drivers replaced by a Bostrom air ride. Small electric fridge between seats. Transfer case lever extended for 'split shifting' when hauling very heavy loads. No stencils on truck except for the 'foot' graduations on the boom and by 'foot' I actually mean a foot stencil - as in the drivers.. with toes! It was expected that everything about the truck was known - therefore no need to write reminders for tyre pressure etc.
Last edited by Howard816 on Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:23 am, edited 7 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
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G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:37 am

This one is restored and in Perth.
Johns. Perth.jpg
Johns. Perth.jpg (143.03 KiB) Viewed 6533 times
This is the only vehicle that I have seen with the Rgmt and Dvnl TAC plates switched left/right.
John RearL .75 big.jpg
(215.12 KiB) Downloaded 2979 times
John RearR .75 big.jpg
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Last edited by Howard816 on Mon Dec 07, 2015 2:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Fri Dec 04, 2015 3:01 am

"Shakey" at Pucka tank museum
Shakey old paint.jpg
Shakey old paint.jpg (53.76 KiB) Viewed 6530 times
Pucka_wrecker_walkaround_02.jpg
Pucka_wrecker_walkaround_02.jpg (238.91 KiB) Viewed 6530 times
I think this one was acquired from Woomera Missile Range.
Now repainted but unstencilled and no TAC plates.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Fri Dec 04, 2015 3:13 am

Shakey repainted.
Shakey New Paint for g503 x.jpg
Shakey New Paint for g503 x.jpg (37.63 KiB) Viewed 6529 times
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Fri Dec 04, 2015 3:18 am

Some of the differences noted to-date on those trucks that I have found info on.
differences.jpg
differences.jpg (122.08 KiB) Viewed 6521 times
Anyone with more info - pics etc., please get in-touch. Cheers.
Last edited by Howard816 on Fri Dec 04, 2015 4:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Fri Dec 04, 2015 4:08 am

Randwick Barracks Sydney.... wish I could read the name.
Randwick 2.jpg
Randwick 2.jpg (96.72 KiB) Viewed 6522 times
Differences to US issue: (WIDE)LOAD lettering, Cummins bypass oil filter on wing behind air filter, "Bumper Guides" on bumper ends , load tray behind driver side bumper, name on nose, RAEME badge on door, twin beacons (most were single), repositioned welding bottle holders (US issue has O2 one side and Acetylene other side), stripey stabiliser pads, repeater lamp on body side, mirror top and cab side (through soft top!), safety light on boom end, tyres are Aussie pattern. ARN on this one - black letters on white plate which seems to be standard on 1973 purchased '25-_ _ _' series ARNs, though earlier 1971 purchased wreckers in the '179-_ _ _' series ARN's had white numbers on a black plate.
Randwick.jpg
Randwick.jpg (105.49 KiB) Viewed 6522 times
Caution LHD sign - often hand painted on new body stop end, ARN plate on 'passenger' side extended body stop end, Hella combination stop/reflector/turn rear lights additional to US issue - not sure of function of all ( redundancy of US lights), Holmes gear for sus tow, safety lamp on boom top, clearer view of 'sistered' welding bottle holders.
Last edited by Howard816 on Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:53 am, edited 6 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Sat Dec 05, 2015 12:44 pm

Two more pics - sorry, no idea where I saw these!
rough2.jpg
rough2.jpg (88.3 KiB) Viewed 6479 times
Differences to US issue seen here - wider rear steps, extended bed stopends, boom light cover (bent flat), sustow sq tube with pintle, bumperettes removed (not all), M543 2nd spare tyre holder (not on all), trailer board stowage frame + plus beacon, repeater lights to body side, cab side and top of door mirror, socket n pin type rear hitch - heavy pintle removed (not on all), stripey stabiliser pads, clamp on boom for spades.
rough1.jpg
rough1.jpg (137.29 KiB) Viewed 6479 times
Not a lot different on this one - TAC plate holders removed - 2 holes in wings inboard of turn indicators, repeater lamp on cab side. pin hitch on bumper may have been a civi mod...

huh.. Just noticed the SerIII Land Rover in the bottom left corner of pic 2.
Last edited by Howard816 on Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

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Location: SINGAPORE

Re: RAEME M816

Post by artificer » Sat Dec 05, 2015 1:45 pm

I have put the word out to ex 101 FD WKSP RAEME Recce Mech's to see if any of them can help out.
John GIBBINS Member Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers [Ret], ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck & Auto Technician USA -2002 Licensed Motor Mech NSW MVIC 49593 Current 2015
TO DIAGNOSE, TROUBLESHOOT OR FAULT FIND ANY AUTO SYSTEM....
Understand how system parts interact with one another. GOOD parts can then be established & the NOT GOOD problem/s part/s isolated for repair or replacement.

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Sun Dec 06, 2015 2:49 am

Thanks John - really appreciate that.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Sun Dec 06, 2015 1:40 pm

Adrians 1.jpg
Adrians 1.jpg (70.66 KiB) Viewed 6438 times
Differences here: roof bin (mesh bottom - some were plywood), bypass oil filter, bumper guides, I'm guessing civi sidelights (white) on the front wings, spotlight on roof rack may have been an operator mod or civi as well as the 'jaw-pin' hitch.
Adrians 2.jpg
Adrians 2.jpg (93.03 KiB) Viewed 6438 times
Cab side repeater lights mounted to the hood hoop, rear step stiffeners painted white - common to most RAEME wreckers as well as body 'stop ends', added boom extension (civi mod?), red yellow reflector plates as needed for today's road regs.
Last edited by Howard816 on Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Tue Dec 08, 2015 2:30 am

Pics of standard US issue M816. Hard top option.
Stock Front Right.jpg
Stock Front Right.jpg (66.05 KiB) Viewed 6404 times
Front 'level wind' and vise missing.
Stock Front Left.jpg
Stock Front Left.jpg (96.05 KiB) Viewed 6404 times
Uncommon twin roof beacons, normally single amber.
Stock Rear Left.jpg
Stock Rear Left.jpg (74.02 KiB) Viewed 6404 times
Missing mud flaps. Red reflector on side at rear - Aussie had amber (red can only be rear facing).
Stock Rear Right.jpg
Stock Rear Right.jpg (75.75 KiB) Viewed 6404 times
Unknown bracket on boom top roller.
Last edited by Howard816 on Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500

User avatar
Howard816
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:00 am
Location: Upstate NY (formerly UK)

Re: RAEME M816

Post by Howard816 » Tue Dec 08, 2015 3:11 am

Until the introduction of the new Mack trucks, Australian M816 wreckers were operationally the same as the US wreckers with regards suspended towing. Using the 'Bar Lifting' (US - Whiffletree) and a 'Towbar Motor Vehicle' (US - Towbar. UK - Hollebone/A-Frame). In the '80's, all M816's were modified with a 4x4" box subframe with 3 x 1 1/2" shackle tabs welded and braced to the rear winch fairlead. This held the Holmes gear - or reversed towbar as found on civilian Holmes 750/850 wreckers. The towbar had a spreader bar and was suspended from the crane hook by a 5/8" chain bridle and 'Hammerlocs". ]

Lifting Mack using Holmes gear and 'Bar Lifting'. Some units subsequently dispensed with the 'Bar Lifting' since the Holmes Towbar had a spreader bar. See also Unimog lift pic in post 3.
103 Fd Wksp 2.jpg
103 Fd Wksp 2.jpg (88.78 KiB) Viewed 6403 times
Seen in this pic, the Pioneer tool rack stowed on rear of cupola (crane seat) [US trucks stowed small fire extinguishers here and the Pioneer rack on the side of the boom behind safety screen]. Some RAEME operators did away with the pioneer rack and simply stowed the tools in the lockers. The back of the Cupola behind the seat, was sometimes used for small "Snap-On" style tool chest for mechanics tools, fasteners/hyd-air-winch fittings stowage and a larger extinguisher stowed on front of cupola.

Holmes 850 gear on US M816.jpg
Holmes 850 gear on US M816.jpg (77.07 KiB) Viewed 6403 times
Rare pic of US modification using added body brackets. CAUTION. Cable bridle from hook to spreader bar shackles is BAD practice. RAEME used 5/8" chain and hammerlocks.
Sus tow subframe.jpg
Sus tow subframe.jpg (84.59 KiB) Viewed 6403 times
Upper mount for Holmes gear and added pintle. (All RAEME M816's post introduction of the Macks)
whiffletree.jpg
whiffletree.jpg (6.79 KiB) Viewed 6403 times
Standard US use of Whiffle tree for lift only, (installed back to front in this application) with medium towbar used for pulling.
Towbar collars.jpg
Towbar collars.jpg (106.86 KiB) Viewed 6403 times
RAEME wreckers did carry a medium 'Hollebone' (towbar) but only used it for flat towing

Operational difference between US standard procedure and REME/RAEME procedure for suspended towing.
sus'tow pivot2.jpg
sus'tow pivot2.jpg (39.2 KiB) Viewed 6401 times
sus'tow pivot 'Holmes'.jpg
sus'tow pivot 'Holmes'.jpg (34.74 KiB) Viewed 6400 times
Last edited by Howard816 on Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:46 am, edited 4 times in total.
M816 - to RAEME specs
M916A1 - USAF '819 RedHorse' + M870A1 trailer
LR 101 - 2 PARA wrecker + Sankey 'widetrack'
LR LtWt - winterised
Armstrong MT 500


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