Re: SER1 Information wanted on BBC Series Ones

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Following on from the article in the BBC's retired-staff newsletter
'Prospero', I've had a reply from someone with a direct personal
knowledge of the vehicle:

<<UYL67 spent its latter years at Manchester, where I was based as a
Studio/OB  [Outside Broadcast] maintenance engineer (1968 to 1994).  I
am unsure of its original function - probably as suggested, a radio
links vehicle, possibly in London. I seem to recall that it had three
tripod feet securing mounts on the roof (for a dish?). Nearly all BBC
vehicles carried London registration plates in those days - that's where
they started life before some escaped to the regions!

My earliest memory is of UYL67 being kitted out with a single monochrome
camera channel (Marconi MK3 or MK4) based at the Manchester OB base at
Plymouth Grove. It was used to cover typically Local Election hustings
etc, & any job not requiring a full OB Scanner [Mobile Control Room].
This continued until it was replaced by a two channel caravan (initially
monochrome & later colour) in the early seventies, when it was stripped
of its TV gear and joined the pool of general purpose Land Rovers which
were more suited to Radio & TV OB use than vans

UYL67 tended to be used by our section & I have fond memories of driving
it in those latter years. If my memory serves me well, I have a
photograph of it somewhere, taken about 1977 just before it left the
BBC.

In fact, I was tempted to purchase it for my own use when I learned of
its imminent disposal, but lack of storage space & already owning an MGB
(which I did not want to part with at the time) dissuaded me. I have
regretted it ever since, as UYL67 was in excellent body & mech condition
for its age - no expense was spared in those days on
servicing/maintenance of the BBC fleet!>>

He's going to search for the photo, and pass it on to me if he finds it.

Regards,

GRAEME ALDOUS
South Lane Farm, Moorsholm
SALTBURN, Yorkshire  TS12 3JE,  UK
Phone: +44(0)1287 660515  Fax: +44(0)1287 660255
www.teeafit.co.uk/sxf 




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