You have already met Arthur Page (47) who lives in Caroline Street, although not properly introduced by me. So here is some more information about him to make him more alive:

Arthur is born in Farthing - Wiltshire. He comes from a railway family. His father was a loco driver who regularly drove a loco along the freight line to Northall Dock. He started as a young led at Northall Goods Depot when he was 16 years old. So he is working for British Railways for more than thirty years.

Arthur travels many miles with the Austin 3way van in Northall and the surrounding villages. He is very fond of the vehicle in spite of being heater-less and the toxic fumes he inhales from the engine in the cab. Apart from those obvious defects, Arthur is pleased that it has wind-up windows and a stylish but cheerful looking 'face'.

The 3way van was very practical in use

Not only in the 1950’s daily working by British Railways and other users. But also for me taking pictures of diliveries in Northall, because I don’t have to model open back doors or side doors.

The car received a coat of Vallejo 76515 Light grey wash to dim the shining appearance.

The wheels and black parts received a coat with Vallejo black wash.

The underside and the wheels received a coat of Vallejo 76521 Oiled Earth wash.

The wheels and some parts of the car are additionally weathered with some Vallejo paints and pigments.

Background information:

Work on the K8 as it was called in its prototype form, started in early 1946. But it soon became known as the 'Three-Way' van owing to its arrangement of double doors on both the nearside and offside, as well as at the rear, providing excellent access to the loading bay. It was a very forward looking design with its curved front and high driving position, making the visibility excellent compared to the competition.

Production commenced early in 1947. Various changes had been made from the prototypes, which included the radiator grille, front bumper, access steps along with the wheels.

The forward control cab gave good visibility a partition with window separates the cab from the steel body, with composite doors and toughened glass.

The body had a timber frame with steel sheets attached, even the doors had a wooden frame. The large front windows gave a good view of the road, the driver’s side could be opened. Both the front doors had wind-down widows.

So from the first vehicles been produced in 1947 to the last one coming off the line on September 1954 a total of over 26,500 had been made.

This entry was made with the help of http://www.austinmemories.com/page67/page75/page75.html

Kind regards,

Job