John we where all very sorry to hear about the young lad who died of dehydration GRHS ,it was the talk of all the Brits ,that this was the danger if you broke down , the shire heat of Saudi was a real killer ,to get back to base quickly was the aim , only 2/3/4days out Trans Arabia was great and I will praise KB for running a good and well organised trucking outfit , we where we’ll looked after at base ,I do remember working in the heat outside the Villa ,then in and out the port ,then going up the stairs to the canteen finding the air con that had been switched off after breakfast the room was clean and tidy, warm not hot making a cup of tea ,with the Sun burning though the green curtain window ,this was a feeling I will never forget , going back in on the night the walls of the villa where red hot the rooms unbearably stifling hot, the lads trying to get a shower before all the hot water ran out ,the banta, talk of what had happened in the port ,always a laugh The Saudis could not believe the fun we had on the dock ,a gang of English lads fooling about,waiting out side the customs for clearance ,I remember Peter Slim ,Rip lying on the Tarmac with big peaces of card board strapped to his arms moving his arms up and down trying to lift off, we where all cheering yes yes your nearly there keep going it was bloody fantastic the Arabs though it was posable ,PS was a big lad this made it all the better . Great days great lads Ron
Out side the villa ! We repaired all the trucks and trailers in the street, the girl school had just turned out, we Evan sprayed the trucks with page three covering the windscreen this created a few comments from the locals ,but we got away with it,the paint was dry that quick the flies did not stick and the finish was good Ron
ronhawk:
Out side the villa ! We repaired all the trucks and trailers in the street, the girl school had just turned out, we Evan sprayed the trucks with page three covering the windscreen this created a few comments from the locals ,but we got away with it,the paint was dry that quick the flies did not stick and the finish was good Ron
Great pics and stories, Ron - thoroughly enjoying them all! Robert 
We where only going for a Swarmy!! Friday going up the Madeana rd check out the paint job Ps thanks Robert 1952
ronhawk:
From the bottom to the top of Tief Mountain Ron
Brilliant picture Ron
Top blokes. - we had a lot laughs as well - and the odd tear!!
Ken
This model is still on the production line,WOOD YOU BELIVE IT they now making MACS out of wood This model is I have been reliably informed made to 1/16 scale of the Mac & trailer by John Parry, it is I think very very good and will shortly be taking Root when finished ,Get your orders in for Christmas, well done JP ! I wish him well it has got all the detail 5th wheel ,road springs sleeper cab with bunks every little detail the legs are telescopic and the trailer is 30inch in length it is a work of art Ron
Thanks KB, the shots are of the way we all where, and with the help of the photos we can go back to those days in a flash ,I know it’s sad but we owe it to the lads that are not here , to be talked about with love and affection Ron
This may be on the mountain rd near khamis ? The concrete safety barrier on the left !! Some one has gone over the top? maybe it’s the Tanker Ron
Re: Trans Arabia /S. Jones of Aldridge:A few pics
Post by ronhawk » Fri May 08, 2015 9:33 pm
ATTACHMENTS
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This may be on the mountain rd near khamis ? The concrete safety barrier on the left !! Some one has gone over the top? maybe it’s the Tanker Ron
A-J you mentioned trailers !! I designed ,this presentation structure for TMS at the ARAMCO. Open day, I did not get another Medal !!! This was later used for shaded area round our swimming pool ! The Thi workers used OXO & ECET bottles to get it to the right proportions !! The pipes where of a thick wall oil pipes and took some bending, while this was being made, I also made a crash camel proof rap around barrier for the front of the ERF this was although I say it myself was bloody good !! You could pull out the main pivot bolts and tip it to a forward position, enabling the cab to be tilted,this was really good !!! Of all photos to have Lost its this one! If anyone has a copy please put it on the net ,Ron
ronhawk:
A-J you mentioned trailers !! I designed ,this presentation structure for TMS at the ARAMCO. Open day, I did not get another Medal !!! This was later used for shaded area round our swimming pool ! The Thi workers used OXO & ECET bottles to get it to the right proportions !! The pipes where of a thick wall oil pipes and took some bending, while this was being made, I also made a crash camel proof rap around barrier for the front of the ERF this was although I say it myself was bloody good !! You could pull out the main pivot bolts and tip it to a forward position, enabling the cab to be tilted,this was really good !!! Of all photos to have Lost its this one! If anyone has a copy please put it on the net ,Ron
Ron Hawkins - " man of many talents ". On his headstone
Ken
Thanks for your comments KB !!! Can you alter my mistake ?i have amended mine ? AAMCO should read ARAMCO this can be removed after !Ron
I’ve just been through the stories, and looking at the shot of the ERF that is being lifted up with the stacker truck, the engine on the right front still has the Jake Brake on ! This must have been one that either? JD or myself fitted all those years ago ,they where a superb engine brake it’s very noticeable on top of the cast iron head ,it’s the alloy extension under the rocker cover , the engine itself I am sure could have easily been given a new life this was my former profession ? My misses just shouted ,big head !!but I am only stating a fact. Every thing I see could have another life , but it’s at throw away world today. Look again at that shot. Title till death do us part I have now included this fact on the pict, Ron
Good morning all and thanks for all good wishes received.
Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control, I have been unable to contribute further to this long, meandering and very interesting post due to being incarcerated at NHS’s pleasure where they were in the habit of hiding strange pieces of equipment up my person! Talk about being able to bring tears to the eyes of the pope!! Anyway, enough to say that should any of you have to suffer the same indignity at some time in the future, make sure you take up religion and then pray for a friendly consultant with small hands who understands the necessity of whispering sweet nothings in your ear prior to perpetrating himself on your person!!
I have read and enjoyed, with much nostalgia and not a little mirth, the various contributions made here and hope they will continue in their wanderings. I do think the various deviations add to the overall interest of the post.
There are a few previous points made by Ronaldo which might require a little clarification but I will return to them in the near future.
Meanwhile here is a true story to be going on with.
Ron and I went out one Friday morning, our day off, in the single drive pickup, to look for a small but heavy box which, the driver had reported, had fallen off one of our trailers and rolled down a sandy bank.
After a couple of hours we found the box but were unable to retrieve it due to it’s weight. Fortunately, after faffing about for about half an hour, an American pulled up in a big four by four which had a winch on the back. In no time at all, the box was in the back of our pickup and we set off home.
Whilst doing a good 80 km’s an hour, along a dead straight stretch of tarmac, we saw something occupying the whole road, coming towards us out of the shimmering heat haze. When the object got within half a mile of us, I realised it was two Merc Tonkers travelling side by side at full tilt.
I will forever remember the short conversation Ron and I had as the Tonkers drew ever closer…and it went something like this-
“Ron, those Mercs are side by side!”
“yea! Ferckam!”
“Ron, pull over!”
Naw!.. Ferckam!"
“Ron! They have seen us. And they are NOT giving way! Pull over Ron!”
“Naw!..Ferckam!”
“Ron, for Christ’s sake! Pull over. Pull OVER! You’ll kill us both. PULL OVER!”
" Naw!.Feckam!"
" JESUS CHRIST!! FERFECKSSAKE"
At which point, whilst only some 50 yards way from us and still going full pelt, both Mercs suddenly parted, shot off the edge of the road into the desert and roared past us on either side!!
I turned round in time to see them both bounce back up onto the road and continue away from us, still side by side.
" Bejesus Ron! You ferckin nearly fecrkin had us FERKIN killed!!
" Naw! Feckam!"
And that gentlemen, is perhaps the main reason why, all these years later, I have had to have certain repair work done!
Thank you Ronaldo!!
(PS. Apologies if I have repeated this true incident on another post previously.)
Wirlinmerlin:
Good morning all and thanks for all good wishes received.
Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control, I have been unable to contribute further to this long, meandering and very interesting post due to being incarcerated at NHS’s pleasure where they were in the habit of hiding strange pieces of equipment up my person! Talk about being able to bring tears to the eyes of the pope!! Anyway, enough to say that should any of you have to suffer the same indignity at some time in the future, make sure you take up religion and then pray for a friendly consultant with small hands who understands the necessity of whispering sweet nothings in your ear prior to perpetrating himself on your person!!
I have read and enjoyed, with much nostalgia and not a little mirth, the various contributions made here and hope they will continue in their wanderings. I do think the various deviations add to the overall interest of the post.
There are a few previous points made by Ronaldo which might require a little clarification but I will return to them in the near future.
Meanwhile here is a true story to be going on with.
Ron and I went out one Friday morning, our day off, in the single drive pickup, to look for a small but heavy box which, the driver had reported, had fallen off one of our trailers and rolled down a sandy bank.
After a couple of hours we found the box but were unable to retrieve it due to it’s weight. Fortunately, after faffing about for about half an hour, an American pulled up in a big four by four which had a winch on the back. In no time at all, the box was in the back of our pickup and we set off home.
Whilst doing a good 80 km’s an hour, along a dead straight stretch of tarmac, we saw something occupying the whole road, coming towards us out of the shimmering heat haze. When the object got within half a mile of us, I realised it was two Merc Tonkers travelling side by side at full tilt.
I will forever remember the short conversation Ron and I had as the Tonkers drew ever closer…and it went something like this-
“Ron, those Mercs are side by side!”
“yea! Ferckam!”
“Ron, pull over!”
Naw!.. Ferckam!"
“Ron! They have seen us. And they are NOT giving way! Pull over Ron!”
“Naw!..Ferckam!”
“Ron, for Christ’s sake! Pull over. Pull OVER! You’ll kill us both. PULL OVER!”
" Naw!.Feckam!"
" JESUS CHRIST!! FERFECKSSAKE"
At which point, whilst only some 50 yards way from us and still going full pelt, both Mercs suddenly parted, shot off the edge of the road into the desert and roared past us on either side!!
I turned round in time to see them both bounce back up onto the road and continue away from us, still side by side.
" Bejesus Ron! You ferckin nearly fecrkin had us FERKIN killed!!
" Naw! Feckam!"
And that gentlemen, is perhaps the main reason why, all these years later, I have had to have certain repair work done!
Thank you Ronaldo!!
(PS. Apologies if I have repeated this true incident on another post previously.)
In other words: it was coming out of every Ferkin orafice !!!
Ken b
Ron, I’ve sent you a PM. Cheers, Robert