1950 Thornycroft Big Ben HSS713, ex-Ministry GS cargo converted to recovery by L W Vass, equipped with winch and Harvey Frost crane and seen at Basingstoke on 13/5/12, first time out. (Alan Bullock)

Alan writes ... The owner got it in very poor condition from a farm in Ropley Hants quite some time ago and has done all the work on it himself to a very high standard. The original petrol engine was removed as was the gearbox and replaced by a Leyland engine and Fuller 9-speed. The winch and crane are operational.