Max #15 and Monty #16 Basis: 1949 Scammell Mountaineer
Acomparison of the side-by-side photos above make it clear that the basis for Max and Monty's TV Series models is the 1949 Scammell Mountaineer Four-Wheel-Drive Tipper. Noting the type and general shape of the wheels, fenders, cab, cab roof guard and tipper, it's safe to say that we have a match. The bumper on the Mountaineer also matches what TV model-era Art Director Robert Gauld-Galliers originally had in mind for Max and Monty's bumpers.
Scammell 's successful operational track record during the Second World War with its military-grade predecessor, the 6X4 "Pioneer" model proved that the solidly-built vehicle was versa tile and able to roll over all manner of uneven and rough terrain from sand, to mud and rock. The "Pioneer" was redesigned in 1949/50 for commercial use and rebranded as the "Mountaineer" model. The redesign included a 4-wheel-drive chassis, larger engine, air-pressure assisted power steering and higher maximum speed. It lost one set of rear axles that was common with the Pioneer model, becoming a two axle vehicle equipped with 11 x 24 inch tires - single at the front, and double on the rear axle. The front width of the Mountaineer was about 8 feet 8 inches, and a ground-to-top-of-cab height of 9 feet, 3 inches. Early models were used by the Shell Petroleum Company for oil field set-up and maintenance. As a side-note, this in theory makes "Butch" ("Pioneer" basis) a direct relative to Max and Monty(!)
We can easily imagine these two as Max & Monty loading up at a gravel pit
photo source: Scammell Vehicles, Olyslager Auto Library (1971)
The "Mountaineer" was designed for varied purposes from towing to hauling, with the model available in 14, 17 or 19 foot wheelbase. For Max and Monty, it will be the 14 foot wheelbase with an 18-20 ton gross-load dumper. The tipper version of a loaded Mountaineer had an average top speed of about 34.3 kph (21.3 mph), which is considerably fast for that weight of vehicle.
Scammell Mountaineer Tipper in action - note the absence of a tailgate on the tipper
(from the Dec. 30, 1949 issue of The Commercial Motor magazine)
As seen in the comparison photo at the top of the page, a unique feature for Scammell vehicles of this type is its patented centrally pivoted rocking-beam front axle, which allows for movement over uneven terrain without twisting the vehicle's frame.
The "Mountaineer" was marketed by Scammell until 1955, and continued when the company was bought out by Hotchkiss-Leyland until the 1960s. There were some "Mountaineer" physical and cosmetic design changes introduced since its 1949 introduction, noticeably with the front fenders being replaced with more robust versions (see advert picture below).
Portion of 1960s brochure for the Scammell Mountaineer (found on eBay)
Miscellany
Aside from a diminutive matchbox version of the Mountaineer Tipper, there are no scale models to our knowledge available for retail. Perhaps some resourceful site visitor will use the schematic below to guide their own efforts to recreate scaled versions of Max and Monty.
Rough schematic of the Scammell Mountaineer Tipper - click image for larger view
(from the Dec. 30, 1949 issue of The Commercial Motor magazine)
Collector's Corner
The following Max and Monty collectables are now sadly discontinued, but can still be found on eBay on occasion at a reasonable price.
| LC Take-Along Max & Monty | Wooden Railway Max & Monty |
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