This a poignant time for me as I write this month’s article. This is about more than a truck
For those of you who were at our first meet you may remember the lady who asked a lot of very pertinent questions about the safety of people with poor sight and hearing, and children at our meets.That was the first time I met Elaine and she made a real impression on me, and indeed the Committee as a whole.
This is about her truck - Elaine’s truck.
That first meet Elaine came into the services and we started chatting she said to me that following a stroke, she felt useless, her sight was poor and her hearing was bad. But she wanted to do something, and helped the ladies with the drinks and did some washing up. Later she told me that she was glad she had found something that she could do.
Elaine enjoyed coming to the meets and did like the trucks, she even had a go with one of the Club trucks, as her husband, Paul looked nervously on.
Elaine was smitten and had further goes with her husband’s truck at home but was very nervous with it. Paul found this truck on ebay and it was cheap enough that Elaine would not worry about damaging it. It was purchased in September 2021, and she practiced at home.
Anyway here is her truck
It is based on a Bruder MAN tipper and was purchased ready converted. It runs, the tipper works, it has lights and a beacon bar. Bruder trucks don't have any running gear and the wheels are hollow on the inside face, they take some bashing as they were designed for children. From the pictures you can see the front axle, it is hand crafted from a piece of Aluminium bar and it has a simple central pivot. there is also simple stub axle holder on a pivot for steering. The rear drive looks to be from a Chinese toy rc truck and has limited suspension. The tipper runs on a small motor via a flex shaft and scissor gear.
Its amazing what you can do on a limited budget!
Sadly Elaine passed away early in December, before we had a chance to see her driving this truck at our meets.
Elaine’s determination and personality made a great impression on me and the Committee, and no doubt many others, we all miss you so much……..
This is for Elaine!