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Massey 81s and 82s

Does anyone know what the serial number range of the MH 81 and 82 tractors was for those sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force. And how many were sold for this purpose?

There is no information on this in Keith Oltrogge's Massey Tractor Data book other than that they were painted blue.  I wonder were there any special military specificatons for them?

John

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

John,

I have wondered that very same thing as I  have a 1946 81 that is a Row Crop. Only thing I have noticed that is different on tractors that are reported or said to Royal Canadian Air Force tractors are that they are all Standard treads.

That's all the knowledge I have on this subject, be interested in learning something new.

Keith

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

Thanks Keith - the information does seem to be elusive!  And not withstanding that there have been an astonishing 45,000 views of this thread in 4 days or so.  It's amazing that someone doesn't know something but you are the only responder!

All the best
John

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

Hi John,

Were these tractors left Massey red? Or were they painted in a different color? (I thought the RCAF used grey or yellow, can't remember at the moment.) I am also into military history, especially WWII and farm tractors that were built for the military (whether it'd be the US or its Allies). Definitely would be cool to have something like that!

Cheers,
            Dakota


Edit: I just read your first post John, pardon my dumb question.

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

 
Dakota,
 
To the best of my knowledge 81s and 82s of the Royal Canadian Air Force were all blue, tho’ I have heard reports that some were yellow.  However for the latter there may be some confusion with those sold to municipalities (if any) in that I am aware that later Pacer tractors in Ontario were painted yellow in such usage.  I have a Pacer that is over painted red but has much yellow showing through and I have seen several in Ontario that are yellow.
 
I would also expect a tractor for military purposes to have some special features – extra plating, printed on special instructions, maybe lifting points, stronger electrics etc etc etc.
 
Who knows?  I want to!!!
 
John


RE:Massey 81s and 82s

Here is a photo of the one I remember seeing at The 150th Anniversary Show at Milton, Ontario in 1997.

Malcolm

( It has only taken me twelve hours to get this photo on here, it would not load last night from my i phone, so back to the office this morning for good old fashioned technology)
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Malcolm

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

A nice interesting picture Malcolm which confirms my belief that there were some yellow ones.  Also do I see an eye bolt on the front axle?  Could that be original and for lifting?  Also what is sticking up behind the seat?

Anyone else got a yellow or blue one which might help us to clarify matters?  Someone must have - there have been close on 50,000 views of this thread in only a few days - do please communicate back to us.

John

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

I'd be willing to bet that it was an aircraft tug or it had a magnet on it to sweep the runway of debris. But I could be wrong.

RE:Massey 81s and 82s

As it is a soaking wet day here I decided to root around in my archives for some info on these tractors.  Has anyone a brochure for the 81/82 tractors??  I don't recall coming across one.

In the 1941 Massey-Harris Farmers Handy Catalogue is a super pic of an agricultural 81.  This is the only catalogue of the series that shows it - yet according to Keith Oltrogge's Massey Tractor Data book they were made in standard and rowcrop forms from 1941-1946 with a total of 10,756 made.

John
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RE:Massey 81s and 82s

Still searching the archives and keeping out of the rain.

The front cover shows a RED 81 on military aircraft manoeuvering  duties.

Inside is a line up of 81s on an air field.

It is very interesting to note that these military 81s in contrast to the agricultural 81 shown in the last post have short air stacks and down swept exhausts

I wonder how many have survived with their front mounted push/pull bumper?  and did they have modified rear drawbars?

It occurs to me that many of the veiwers of this post cannot reply because they are not MCA members.  Maybe they could go to the list of officers given on this web site and maybe e mail them with any information you may have, then they might be good enough to post it on the web site? 

John
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