Oliver Danson North

1944 Scammell Pioneer recovery vehicle – in RAF livery. (Preserved, 2002)

Scammell Scarab in British Railways livery, London, 1962

Oliver Danson North born 1887 in Willesden Green, son of William and Kate North. He was a British engineer and automobile designer in the early twentieth century. He worked for Scammell Lorries Ltd from 1922. He was responsible, most notably, for the Scammell Pioneer, a three-axle heavy truck, and the three-wheeled Scammell Mechanical Horse, which subsequently evolved into the Scammell Scarab, a familiar sight in cities and towns often engaged in postal and parcel deliveries.

He was also heavily involved in the design and manufacture by Scammell Lorries of the two '100 Tonners' low-loader vehicles, delivered in early 1930 to Marston Road Services in Liverpool and H.E. Coley in Dartford, Kent. The vehicle delivered to Marston Road Services, known as KD 9168, was used for the delivery of steam locomotives from the manufacturers to Liverpool docks.

The 'Mechanical Horse' was made in France, under licence, by Tracteurs FAR

Oliver Danson North died 11 November 1968 at Haslemere in his 82nd year.

External links

• Pictures of the Scammell Pioneer
• Pictures of Mechanical Horses (Scammell and others)