Austin Champ Wading Test .wmv

[@lancepattinson4790]

just found Charles William (Rex) Sewell's meccano Austin Champ in the attic ! i used to play with it at my Grandpa's house - i remember him telling me about the snorkel design ....and how it could be dropped from a plane with a parachute..

[@migal0412]

I was in the DUKWs in the 60s and after salt water work we were allowed 3 days to do a complete service at Holdsworthy near Sydney, my crew of 3 finished our service in the 1st day and as there were a few Champs in the vehicle lines and nothing else to do we decided to see what they were like underwater. The 1st one had the windscreen folded flat but the securing clips were not done up and as we headed to the Georges River to try out the snorkle the windscreen flew up and one side smashed so back to the lines & parked it... end of No1 and grabbed another. This one went well in the river moving along with just the tip of the snorkle showing for about 200 yards and then we hit a deep hole...end of No2. A long walk to get our Duck to retrieve No2 and park it back where we got it. After this we figured the Ducks were better suited to the rivers.

[@Twirlyhead]

DUKWs more idiot proof maybe and a boat even more so - not actually a problem with the Champ.

[@NORTHEASTRESTORATION]

These vehicles are superb. must have been fantastic being in the Champ with only a snorkel showing :)

[@MagnusMaximusinWales]

Great experiment, reassuring to know that a well-maintained example can still do what it was designed to do when the spec was issued in the late '40s.

[@FV1601]

A vehicle of the time, with the "Roly Poly" look of the Humber One Ton and the R Series Bedford which tends to grow on you over time. The one shown is a credit to it's owner, and is now very clean!

[@colinblick4903]

The problem with them was overbuild Back axle weighed a ton ….. off road they liked turning over…… but that RR engine was sweet😎👍🏼no wonder garages had them as wreckers🤩

[@Hastings1066TV]

Thank you for this. Only recently learned about these. Over engineered, and apparently very comfortable when compared to other military vehicles at the time.

[@Pomdownuder]

Next try the cable bridging abilities

[@FV1601]

If you have a photo of it with the original rego number showing, you may find where it is on the Champ Register, which is part of the Austin Champ Owners Club website. Hope it's still out there.....

[@worc1774]

My Pa had one of these C. 1990 when it was sold. I wonder what became of it?

[@RevengeAvenger]

The longer in the water the worse it gets. This is a real test. Simulating muddy water.

[@colinballard7802]

My old mucked Steve happy day’s

[@contingency9]

Going too slow, you need to create a bow wave. I loved off roading in my landie but I'd love it even more in a champ! What a pure British beast!

[@Joewalshe38]

Whatever about performance it's a beautiful looking vehicle

[@alan2804]

British eccentricity at its zenith. Just what did the designers intended this to wade through…suppose from a drawing office it seemed a good idea.

[@Chambers101]

Thats amazing.

[@FV1601]

@rangey18 not bad for a 60 year old is it.

[@VWT5Alive]

The car must be nearly that old too 😜👍🏻🇬🇧

[@simonworman7898]

Not an over usefull design check out the transmission and drive lines,then compare it to a willys/ford jeep or a Landrover

[@contingency9]

Amazing! He wasn't going too slow he doesn't need a bow wave! lol I have never seen anything like it! I want one! lol