Talus MB-764 amphibious tractor
| Talus MB-764 | |
|---|---|
Talus MB-764 RNLI Launch Vehicle | |
| Type | Launch vehicle |
| Manufacturer | Clayton Engineering Limited[1] |
| Length | 3.880 m (152.8 in) |
| Width | 2.260 m (89.0 in) |
| Height | 2.950 in (0.0749 m) |
| Propulsion | All Gear 4 wheel drive |
| Engine model | 4 cylinder Diesel |
| Gross power | 80 hp (60 kW) |
Talus MB-764 is a four-wheel drive launch tractor which was specifically designed for the RNLI, to launch and recover inflatable inshore lifeboats from beach and shorebased launched lifeboat stations.[2] The Tractor is produced by the British company of Clayton Engineering Limited who are based in Knighton, Powys.[3]
Development
The MB-764 was the first launch tractor designed and developed in conjunction with the RNLI to launch the institutions smaller inshore inflatable lifeboat fleet. Clayton’s based the design of the MB-764 on Ford County Commercial Cars.[4] At the design and development stage the company presented two Prototype models. The first being the main take up by the RNLI. The first of these launch tractors went into service with the RNLI in 1975 and since then over 30 tractors have been operated by the Institute around the United Kingdom and Ireland. The basic design, operating and performance characteristics have not changed from the initial design concept vehicle, with the exception of the propelled wading capability.
The fleet information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025 unless noted otherwise.[5]
RNLI Talus MB-764 fleet
Current Location
| Op. No.[a] | Reg No. | Station | In service[5] | Image | Pay-load | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TW01 |
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| TW02 | LRU 581P |
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| TW03 | RLJ 367R |
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| TW04 |
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| TW05 | UJT 151S |
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| TW06 |
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| TW07 |
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[6][7] | ||
| TW08 |
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[8][9] | ||
| TW09 |
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| TW10 | VEL 99X |
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| TW11 | B251 HUX |
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[10] | |
| TW12 |
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| TW13 | D948 SAW |
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| TW14 |
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| TW15 | E592 WNT |
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[11] | |
| TW30 | L123 HUX |
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[12][13] | |
| TW31 | L526 JUJ |
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| TW32 | L161 LAW |
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| TW33 | M562 OUX |
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| TW34 | M71 RUX |
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| TW35 | N506 WNT |
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| TW38 | N469 XAW |
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[14] | ||
| TW39 |
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[15][16] | ||
| TW40 | P472 CUJ |
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| TW41 | P301 DAW |
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| TW42 | 97-G-8631 |
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[17][18] | ||
| TW43 | S540 UNT |
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| TW44 | S193 RUJ |
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| TW47 |
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[19][20] | |
| TW48 | V281 EUJ |
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| TW63 | DS13 LGW | Largs | 2013– |
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[21] | |
| TW64 | HG63 VAO |
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- ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number
See also
- Fowler Challenger III launch tractor
- New Holland TC45 launch tractor
- Talus MB-H launch tractor
- Talus MB-4H launch tractor
- Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage
References
- ^ "Clayton Engineering Ltd – Home Page". Home Page of Company web-site. Clayton Engineering Ltd. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ "Talus MB-4H Tractor". Description and details of the Model. Clayton Engineering Limited. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ OS Explorer Map 201 - Knighton and Presteigne Tref-y-clawdd a Dyffryn Elan, Author: Ordnance Survey. Publisher: Ordnance Survey. Work: Folded Map. ISBN 978-0-319-23758-8
- ^ "The foremost in four-wheel drive - The Definitive County Register Online". Information about County Commercial Cars. County Commercial Cars. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ a b Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 107–109.
- ^ "Skerries Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Skerries station. RNLI © 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Skerries – Talus Launch Tractor". Photograph of TW11 and registration No. © 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Kilrush Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Kilrush station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Kilrush – Talus Launch Tractor". Photograph of TW 08. © 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Lymington Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Lymington station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ Hayling Island Lifeboats. Author: Leach, Nicholas. Publisher:Foxglove Media, 2010 edition. Work: Chapter – 1995 to 2005, page 47: reference to the arrival of TW43 in 1998. Chapter – 2005 to present, Page 54: reference to dates of service of TW43. ISBN 978-0-9513656-9-4
- ^ "Red Bay Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Red Bay station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Red Bay – Talus Launch Tractor". Photograph of TW31 and registration No. © 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Abersoch Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Abersoch station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Clifden Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Clifden station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Clifden – Talus Launch Tractor". Photograph of TW 39 in the boathouse at Clifden. © 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Youghal Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Youghal station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Youghal – Talus Launch Tractor". Photograph of TW42 and registration No. © 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Lough Swilly station. RNLI © 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Lough Swilly – Talus Launch Tractor". Photograph of TW47 in the boathouse at Lough Swilly. © 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Largs Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Largs station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.