Bedford OY facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bedford OY |
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bedford (General Motors) |
| Production | 1939-1953 72,385 (1940-1945) |
| Assembly | Luton |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Military vehicle |
| Body style | flatbed, tanker |
| Layout | Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive (2x4) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.5 L 72 bhp I6 petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | not known |
| Length | 6.22 m (20 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 3.09 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 6,568 kg (6.46 long tons) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Bedford TA |
The Bedford OY was a strong army truck. It was built by Bedford in 1939 for the British Armed Forces. This truck was based on Bedford's regular O-series vehicles. But it was made tougher for military use.
The OY was designed to carry about 3 tons of supplies. There were two main types. The OYD was a general service vehicle. The OYC was a tanker version. It carried water or petrol (fuel). These trucks were very important during and after World War II. Later, the Bedford RL took their place.
What Made the OY Work?
The Bedford OY had some key features. These helped it perform well during the war.
- Engine: It used a Bedford 6-cylinder engine. This engine had a size of 3,519 cc. It was cooled by liquid.
- Power: The engine produced 72 horsepower. This was enough to move its heavy loads.
- Gears: It had a 4-speed manual transmission. This let drivers change gears by hand.
- Electricity: The truck used a 12-volt electrical system.
- Brakes: It had hydraulic brakes. These were helped by a vacuum system.
- Fuel: The OY ran on petrol. Its fuel tank could hold 145 litres (32 gallons).
- Range: It could travel about 450 km (280 miles) on a full tank.
- Speed: The top speed was around 65 km/h (40 mph).
Different Types of OY Trucks
The Bedford OY came in a few different versions. Each was made for a specific job.
- OYD: This was the most common type. It was used for general transport.
- OYC: This version was a tanker truck. It carried liquids like water or fuel.
Bedford also made other vehicles. These were based on the OY and OX designs.
- OWS: A 5-ton truck with a short wheelbase.
- OWL: A 5-ton truck with a long wheelbase.
- OWB: This was a bus version. It could carry 32 passengers.
The Bedford OX Truck
The Bedford OX was a shorter version of the OY. It was designed to carry a lighter load of 1.5 tons. Its front part looked a bit like the smaller 15-cwt Bedford MW truck.
The OXD was a general service truck. It had a cargo area about 8 feet 8 inches long. The OXC was special. It was made to work with a semi-trailer. This was done with help from a company called Scammell.
Early in the war, some OXD trucks got armour added to them. These became the Bedford OXA. They were used to defend the home country.
