There are many names associated with the golden era of Middle East trucking; Astran, Whittle International, Falcongate, Whitetrux, Carmen, Essex International and another Essex company i know very little about until i heard from my new friend Nazmi. Having been the main coordinator for OHS she knows a thing or 2 about the golden age. Nazmi says;
“OHS Transport Ltd was formed in 1975 , and located in Rainham,Essex, in the same group we had a Turkish Company -CONTEX – and a Munich based German Company-UNITED S TRANSPORT GMBH. In 1978 PIE’S trucking side was bought (with the F89 Volvo’s) . Fleet consisted of MACK – VOLVO -SEDDON ATKINSON trucks., 125 trucks at the time in the UK fleet. M/East Transports started in 1975 and 1976 , Iran-Iraq-Saudi Arabia-Kuwait-Jordan. I was the coordinator (trouble shooter as well) in the group ,worked for the group from 1974 until 1987 .”
Now what i didnt realise was that OHS used to run fridges carrying loads of chocolate from Mars and Rowntree, 5-6 loads a week! Who would have guessed that Seddon Atkinsons would be satisfying the cravings of many a sun worshipper in the M/E. This excellent pic shows a couple of Seddon’s having a rest in the dessert en route to Kuwait. I bet the fridge motors were working overtime to keep the temperature down. Any ideas who’s the yellow Mercedes with the tilted cab is??
As well as fridge OHS also ran normal tilts over land to the M/E as did all the rest, but i bet there weren’t many pulled by Sed Ak’s. Plenty of other English marques, yes, but can you think of other Atkinson’s?? leave a comment or email me the proof to; ben@truckblog.co.uk
Along with the Brits OHS/United/Contex were big fans of Mack’s. A good rugged truck, with a half decent cab and plenty of character! These pics are quality, even a little bonneted Mack made it to Europe.
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great old pics, seems incredible that they have chocolate on, so romantic!
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I remember these trucks…errr, lorries… I was a mechanic at Rylands, Hendon, N London.. they occasionally came by for parts in extremely dirty 400’s.. one driver was picked up in a cabover Mack, my first close-up of a truck I would eventually work on at Mack Truck here in Canada..
After a few years working on American trucks I certainly missed the F88’s we had at Fleet Hire…
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I drove one of these Seddons, brilliant truck, LHD, cummins, fuller gearbox, was able to pull Contex/OHS trailers in UK with them, as with the Mack, overlenght, so as a Brummie I could load for Midlands and clear at Perry Barr. The trucks were purchased by OHS as the dealer had originaly orderered them for Greece so sold at good price. I have pics and will post soon
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I also used to drive the Seddons from Rainham to Bagdad. Had many a great adventure, usually after breaking down or waiting for money for the next leg of the journey. Met many really nice drivers. After leaving OHS I went to to work for Funstons Transport and had a beautiful Volvo F12 and thought i was really the bees knees.
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Hi Tim, I remember your old Rover 2.2…..
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I worked ats OHS transport from 1979 for two years i loved them mack trucks as a school boy i was a truck nut
I would have worked there for nothing until i discovered the pub
i rembember the the two stick box you could go as fast in reverse as the forward gears the turks where mad drivers
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I and Andy McLean ,George Fardell and Fred Mellam were the original drivers at the start of OHS at Rainham, we all went to Belgium to collect our new Mack’s, George had GMC Astro Star auto….I was there for nearly 6 years and took hundreds of photos over the years, when I get time I’ll post them
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Wow john! If you want me to scan them for you i can?! Email me at ben@truckblog.co.uk
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I started on OHS in 1976 had office off Oxford St then first trip went to Izmir Turkey different world it was to me great drivers John Curran Fred melham Nick Carter Tony Gambleton Brian Powell Howard Leighton what an era Richard Abbott Dover Kent
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Thanks Richard, if you want to write a piece or share any photos on the blog your more than welcome.
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Heard rumour of a reunion
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I had one of the Seddons from new. (PMU513R) mainly running down to Izmir. Never had a problem with the unit but got fed up with the stupid little wheels/tyres blowing out on the step frame super cube trailers. Seem to remember running out of Harwich/Hamburg and then using the Ljubljana overnight train sometimes. It was all down to the permits available at the time I think.
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