Here are two models of NGCs spotted at this year’s excellent Retro Show at Gaydon. The Vick model is by Dan Grantham and the blue one by George. Robert 
I wonder if someone might help me out here. It was reported to me that on the first day of the Retro Show, attending the Middle-East Experience seminar was someone believed to have been an erstwhile driver of the Eric Vick NGC, KFH 249P. He was actually clutching an album of pictures of this lorry, I understand. Unfortunately, my informant failed to catch this driver’s name. I have no idea whether or not he attended the show on the second day, but as I was wearing a polo-shirt with a big picture of the sister ship, KFH 248P on it (to promote my book) I hoped that he might spot it and stop me for a chat.
It’s possible that who ever it is does not know that I am doing an NGC book. It is also possible that he knows, but just doesn’t want to be in a book! Nonetheless, I’d be grateful if anyone who knows who this is could send me a PM and let him know that I’d love to interview him. There is still time to sneak another paragraph into the book!
Here’s a picture of KFH 249P to prompt you. Robert
@Robert…perhaps Ted (zzarbean) might be able to help and provide names of his colleagues or Jerry Cooke?
I know this is not the right place for this, but it is an ERF and I’m feeling a bit rebellious today, so here it is…
newmercman:
I know this is not the right place for this, but it is an ERF and I’m feeling a bit rebellious today, so here it is…
0
Why, you old rebel you! Up the rebels, I say! Personally, I’ve always rather liked that square South African cab with the Aerodyne roof. I wonder if that one’s got the local ADE engine in it… Robert
Unlike the D/O is a fan of the “Hummin’ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ I see that text under the blue bar, so I assume
it had a ■■■■■■■ working. ADE (Atlantis Diesel Engines) was formed in 1979 to enable the SA-industry
to have engine-production. Main contributors in ADE were Mercedes-Benz and Perkins and initially their
engines were intended for military vehicles. Later also for trucks and busses till 1999.
Attached a more clearer picture…of this nice 4 axle tractor
On a more urgent note: I’d still like to contact the driver of Eric Vick vehicle (ERF NGC) KFH 149P if he is available for consultation! Cheers, Robert 
One of the delights of Ashley’s presentation at the Middle-East seminar at Gaydon last week, was the considerable number of pictures and film-clips not yet seen. It was a veritable feast! Here is one he showed, of PDF 444R in Vijore livery. The pic appears to have been taken somewhere in the Middle-East, judging by the background; presumably by its driver. Robert
ERF-Continental:
Unlike the D/O is a fan of the “Hummin’ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ I see that text under the blue bar, so I assume
it had a ■■■■■■■ working. ADE (Atlantis Diesel Engines) was formed in 1979 to enable the SA-industry
to have engine-production. Main contributors in ADE were Mercedes-Benz and Perkins and initially their
engines were intended for military vehicles. Later also for trucks and busses till 1999.Attached a more clearer picture…of this nice 4 axle tractor
ADE was, I believe, formed of necessity because sanctions against apartheid South Africa were starving it of engine parts. One of my favourite stories of that period was this: during apartheid, South Africa, which makes exceptionally good wine, off-loaded vast quantities of surplus vino to countries that were not signed up to the sanctions. One of those was Bulgaria. Now you may remember that during the '80s we were all swilling mega gallons of really superb Bulgarian ‘village’ wine (red) from UK off-licences and supermarkets, blissfully unaware that it was strongly blended with South African pinotage and the like. 
This story appeared in one of the Sunday papers some years later. Just goes to show there’s a way round everything! Robert 
Of the many wonderful people I met at the Middle-East seminar / Retro Truck Show at Gaydon this year, I’d like to mention that to my delight I met some gentlemen to whom we all owe a huge debt of gratitude for providing a photographic record of the ERF NGC. There was Jerry Cooke, Mick Jones, Marcus Lester and Adrian Cypher, for a start (all of whom have given us a fantastic legacy). Adrian Cypher deserves a special mention simply because I have hardly ever acknowledged him on this thread. He is reserved and doesn’t want fame, but selflessly enjoys the way we use his pictures for the sheer enthusiastic pleasure of preserving the memory of these old ERFs: bless him. Here, below is one of Adrian’s classic shots. Robert
By the way, I was approached by a number of people during the Retro Show weekend and given several leads, not all of which I’m ready to divulge. One of those leads, however, was the suggestion that when PDF 444R left Vijore and went to Shamara heavy haulage of Southampton, the cab was eventually used for Shamara’s Q-plated 6x4 unit. If this is true, can anyone verify for us? Here are a couple of photos to prompt your memories. Cheers. Robert
I wonder why PDF 444R never had an air-con fitted. Robert
ERF-Continental:
Unlike the D/O is a fan of the “Hummin’ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ I see that text under the blue bar, so I assume
it had a ■■■■■■■ working. ADE (Atlantis Diesel Engines) was formed in 1979 to enable the SA-industry
to have engine-production. Main contributors in ADE were Mercedes-Benz and Perkins and initially their
engines were intended for military vehicles. Later also for trucks and busses till 1999.Attached a more clearer picture…of this nice 4 axle tractor
does anyone know what make of cab is on this SA erf, looks a bit more boxy at the back than the European cab, & would it be a tri drive or double drive with a lift axle 
love the aerodyne roof
robert1952.
it was good to meet you at the retro show mate, keep posting the info & the pics
cheers
gaz
tetragaz:
robert1952.
it was good to meet you at the retro show mate, keep posting the info & the picscheers
gaz
It great to meet you too! I think Santini built that type of South African twin-bunk sleeper cab. Robert
More information on SA ERFs here:
commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-bl … hings-come
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … he-great-b
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … n-trucks-f
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … r-pleasure
ERF South Africa seemed to be a more successful firm than its British parent. They made lorries, coaches, dock tractors, God knows what else and even had their own export markets. Worthy of a thread of its own, Robert?
[zb]
anorak:
More information on SA ERFs here:
commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-bl … hings-come
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … he-great-b
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … n-trucks-f
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … r-pleasureERF South Africa seemed to be a more successful firm than its British parent. They made lorries, coaches, dock tractors, God knows what else and even had their own export markets. Worthy of a thread of its own, Robert?
Good links. Yes it wants exploring. Dai Davies’s book ERF - The Inside Story features ERF South Africa heavily because he ran it. Robert
robert1952:
tetragaz:
robert1952.
it was good to meet you at the retro show mate, keep posting the info & the picscheers
gazIt great to meet you too! I think Santini built that type of South African twin-bunk sleeper cab. Robert
thanks for the info Robert
cheers
gaz
Can anyone help with this one? I know that the four NGCs supplied to the Vijore group with Middle-East equipment (KFH 248P to KFH 251P) had NTC 335s and 9-speed Fullers. I believe PDF 444R and KFH 120P were similarly equipped. It is pretty safe to assume that all six of them had the 9-speed Fuller, but does anyone (Ted?) know for certain that KFH 120P did too. Robert