Dave's Albion Chieftain 'Mobile Home'
My Albion in Its Fairground Shooting Gallery Era
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemersons . Loughborough .
This is in its fairground period , which lasted from 1972-1991 with a Midlands Showman Arther Fosset . It had originally been a furniture lorry for Clemerson's Co. Loughborough .
On the Tober . Cadeby 1992
Arther Fosset (Midland section) Showman's Mobile Fairground Shooting Gallery .
9.8.92 Cadeby . Leics. Just to give you a 'punters eye view' of how the Albion once looked when earning its fairground keep between 1972-92. By the time this was taken on a fairground at Cadeby Leics. it had been mounted inside a Ford 'D' series , but the layout would've been the same when built into my Albion .
Another LAD Albion Chieftain Shooting Gallery
HUT894D (1966) Leyland-Albion . Chieftain Ch3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
3.10.93 Goose Fair . Nottingham . Also owned by Clemerson's of Loughborough for their furniture business and also sold at Measham auction in 1972 to a showman (John Turbill). But his shooting gallery is totally de-mountable so the box is still intact .
Just Arrived On Site At Clifton Campville . 1992
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
10.2.92 Clifton Campville . Staffs. Seen here soon after I'd bought it from Arthur Fosset and prior to the dismantling of what was left of his showman's shooting gallery .
Dismantling The Shooting Gallery At Clifton 1992
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
15.2.92 Clifton Campville , Staffs. Dismantling the paneling of the fairground shooting gallery . Then reforming a structure to re-fix them in place . One morning I found 2" of snow inside the truck !
Starting To Replace The Offside At Clifton 1992
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 2.92 Clifton Campville . Staffs. After dismantling the remnants of the shooting gallery the problem was how to close the offside with only the deformed sheets of aluminum and galvanized steel that came with the lorry , with no drill , rivets or rivet gun and no $$ to buy any of these items ..
The Art Of Moving One's Tat . Breedon 1992
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
10.6.92 Charity Farm . Breedon . Leics. I was obliged to build a bender next to the truck for the first 6 months .. and every eviction needed virtually a whole day to reload all my personal tat , plus all the gradually accumulated building material . Which at least kept neighbouring travellers amused as they sat watching with a mug of earl grey .
20 Years of Showman's Carefull Treatment ! 1994
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 2.94 Laxton Airfield . Northant. A UK showman's working season is generally Easter to the end of October 1/2 term holiday .. after which the batteries are disconnected , water drained to save $$ on antifreeze and there it sits until the next season .. And this is the result !! Luckily a fellow traveller Dave was handy with the welding torch .
Offside Panelling Sorted . Charity Farm . 1992
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
27.3.92 Charity Farm . Breedon , Leics. After re fixing the shooting gallery flaps back onto the truck with 100's of small rivets to close the offside I could then think about how to start transforming the interior .
The Rear End Under Construction . Shepshed Quarry
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
13.10.92 Shepshed Quarry . Leics. By now I'd stopped living in a 'bender' next to the vehicle and had moved in , though living conditions were still very "rudimentary' to say the least . Thanks to the help of Adam , a neighbouring cabinet maker and fellow (suffering) Albion owner , the rear structure was sorted so I could keep the winter damp out .
My Rear End in Arles . France . 2004
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
10.5.04 Arles (13) BDR. France . A view that I only get to appreciate in photos , but which is admired (?) for long periods by anything unfortunate to get stuck behind this antiquated shed that has a top downhill speed of 75km/58m/hr and 18km/11m/hr in 3rd when hill climbing ...
1st Winter = Not Totally Sorted Yet !
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
1.2.93 Ibstock Farm . Leics.The insulation was liberated from an abandoned farmhouse & the planking used to be a factory roof & paid more for the boxes of screws than the rest . On the right is my Morso wood burner that was also a good price . The 'kitchen' migrated around the floor space , depending on which section was being worked on at the time , until the rear section was ready for it .
Home Sweet Home. At last !! . 2004
HNR307D (1966) Leyland Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
12.5.2004 Mirmande (26) Drome . France . By now things had been well organised for several years , its functional with what for many folks is very basic facilities . But a bed , burner , cookers enough ! Many visitors at vintage expo's ask why there's no shower unit .. but never dare ask where I've hidden a chemical toilet !! Whats wrong with a spade ??
The Finished Look
HNR307D 1966 Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
3.4.2000 Here's what the interior resembles nowadays (with a few minor alterations since) which is why its interesting to compare it to the previous photo ! No magic wand up my backside ...This is the 'summer' look as in the winter a heavy door curtain helps keep draughts at bay and a woven rug covers the planks as far as the Singer treadle sewing machine , which doubles as a table , on the left side .
Last Family Visit Before Leaving The Uk . 1994
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
10.2.94 Welham Lane . Great Bowden . Leics. This is how things looked 6 weeks before leaving England , no time for a paint-job . I was too busy preparing to take it for a ministry test which it stupidly failed on account of setting the flexible against the inside of the tyre .
Home Under Construction . 1993
HNR307D 1966 Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
1.2.93 This is what greeted anyone who was brave enough to come round for a visit ..thankfully it was always possible to clear a path to the bed platform in the luton each night , though often wood shavings would follow .
Albion Duet !
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain Ch3a. & 732(later OFF605) 1949 Albion Victor .
15.10.92 Moira Quarry . Shepshed . Leics. No sooner had most of the rear end been panelled in (but still only a blanket for a back door) and thanks to a council eviction , it was time to move once again . This particular winter we averaged only 2 1/2 weeks per site .. with the destination of this journey being the shortest at 48hrs after police commandered bulldozers to drag vehicles into a layby . This coupling of Albions lasted for several months as Adam had no engine in his .. which also meant that he had no brakes (butterfly control valve for servo on the exhaust , only works if engine is running..) I'd still not sorted out problems with the Hydrovac set up so mine were pushed to stop my own weight .. so imagine the fun n games as 'two's up '. At least I could see the route ahead , not so Adam at the end of a rigid bar and in a narrow ex-Guernsey bus .!
Towing Critter & Rachel's Taxi . France - Portugal
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
20.10.94 Not far from the Spanish - Portuguese border (the last year it functioned as one) and we were glad to reach it as diesel was extremely tight for myself and Critter & Rachel in their Bedford pantechnicon , unbeknown to us it was a Spanish holiday = no banks , no change , no diesel .. Luckily there were still a few litres left in Critters Black Cab , so in desperation we siphoned it 15kms from the border , this was after we'd broken into Robbie's piggy bank for another 372.60 pesetas worth ..
Newly Painted Again . Arles 2004
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
2.5.04 Arles (13) BDR. France . It doesn't stay this smart for very long , partly due to cheap paint , plus the constant exposure to the sun & contact with trees when parking up .
Clutch Failure . Donzere . 2007
HNR307D (1966) Leyland Albion Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 2.07 nr Donzere (26) Drome . France . After clutch failure I was lucky to arrange a cash price with Garage Piret to tow me to Henri's Iveco Garage at L'Homme d'Armes . 450Euros for 10kms ..
Underneath View of EN335 Albion engine
EN335/3D 4cyl Albion Engine .
Seen 4.3.05 Montelimar (26) Drome . My home was over an inspection pit to replace its clutch disc .. so got the camera out !
My Home In A Montelimar Garage . France 2006
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 25.2.06 Montelimar (26) Drome . France . Once the suspended towing experience was over it was time to put my mobile-home over an inspection pit and start the job of replacing a worn out clutch plate . Two days later thanks to the generous help of Henri the garage owner this was accomplished without too many problems... apart from the one I caused by sending the contents of the clutch cylinder shooting across the forecourt...only a week to wait for a new seal kit ..
My Home , Myself & Alpine Snow . Salignac 2005
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 5.1.05 Salignac (04) Alpes H. Provence . France . With enough wood cut to outlast this snow fall there's little else to do apart from play with ones digital camera !
Freshly Painted . Arles 2004
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 10.5.04 Arles (13) BDR. France . Having passed the winter here I profited from the warm spring weather to repaint my home .
Albion & Alpine Snow (again...)
Dave's Albion 'Mobile-Home' is definitely warmer inside than out !!
Albion Chieftain CH3a-xl in yet another snowfall at Salignac , near to Sisteron (04) Eastern france
Exposing Myself At Avignon $$ Expo. 2008
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 27.3.08 Avignon (84) Vaucluse . France . Looking shabby next to the shiny paint brigade ..
EN335 Albion Clutch Plate . 2006
Worn Out Clutch Plate . EN335/D Albion Engine
Seen 2.06 Montelimar (26) Drome . France . Luckily not too much damage had been caused to the surface of the clutch drive plate , so it was a relatively straight forward replacement job to fit a spare handy in my tat box .
Smiths 86C Thermostatt
Bellows Anyone !
My Windscreen After Being Bricked at Isle s Sorgue
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 5.4.08 Isle s Sorgue (84) Vaucluse . France . Came home to find this .. screen bricked , side window trashed , airgun pellet marks on nearside ..
My Rusted Windscreen Surround . Le Thor 2008
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 23.4.08 Le Thor (84) Vaucluse . France . Before a replacement screen could be fitted the rotted out surround had to be tinned over !
New Screen Going In . Le Thor . 2008
HNR307D (1966) Albion Chieftain Ch3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 29.4.08 Le Thor (84) Vaucluse . France . With a new screen from Scotland (thanks Chris) and help from Remy & Christian to fit it ..
Replacement Cylinder Head
Albion EN335/3D Cylinder Head
3.07 Salignac (04) A. de H. Provence . France . What eventually arrived from Scotland .. and then needed 300quids worth or work to make it useable !
Nearly There !
Albion EN335/3D 4cyl. 5.5l. 98hp. Seen here at 5pm
29.3.07 Salignac (04) A. de H. Provence . France .
First time I've seen It like this !
Albion EN335/3D 4cyl. 5.5l. 98hp.
30.3.07 Salignac (04) A. de H. Provence . France . Head off now to see whats what !
Heads 'a coming off !
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain . EN335/3D 4cyl diesel.
Seen 29.3.07 Salignac (04) A. de H. Provence . France .
Albion EN335/3D 4cyl 5.5L 98hp Diesel Engine
HNR307D (1966) Leyland-Albion Chieftain CH3A. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 3.2004 Arles (13) BDR. France . Not the easiest of engines for which to find spares for this side of the channel , as this model was never imported into Europe . Though LAD cabbed with Leyland engines were in small numbers .
Number 4 Cylinder ...oh dear ! . 2007
HNR307D (1966) Leyland -Albion Chieftain . EN335/3D 4cyl. 5.5l. 98hp.
Seen 30.3.07 Salignac (04) Alpes H. Provence . France . Once the cylinder head was off I could see where the gasket had failed ..
Lovely Studs ??
HNR307D 1966 Albion "Chieftain" CH3a. Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 2007 Salignac (04) A. de H.Provence . France . Took a bit of effort from Dennis & bottle jacks to get this far ..
Latest Cylinder Head Rebuild . Avignon 2012
HNR307D (1966) Leyland Albion . Chieftain CH3a . Ex-Clemerson's Furniture Co. Loughborough .
Seen 11.3.12 Le Thor (84) Vaucluse . France . Latest & hopefully last time I have to take a cyl head off ? Now the original is going back on with new valves & guides ..
Welcome to France ????
'No stopping for nomads and showman' a universal message . Only differance is that the french need to spell their laws out clearly to the population concerned. Racial discrimination ??
This sign is s souvenir from the town of Brioude , but it can be found in various forms, colours, size etc everywhere ..! But dont settled folks realise that their nomadic population isn't going to convieniantly 'dissapear' and that the 'nimby' attitude solves nothing !!