531W

"The Wincher"
Well I Never!

RF312 > RF531 > 531W > ?

After service with London Transport as a central area bus, RF 531 was converted by 43 Command Workshops as a mobile winch to haul gliders into the air for the Kestrel Glider Club at RAF Odiham.

Vehicle History
Oct-52 New, RF312, MLL949 9821LT674, 7830, 2RF2, B41F

D, Dalston, 208/208A

Mar-56 Re-numbered, RF531, MLL 949

Apr-59 OMO Conversion 1/2RF5/3, B39F, OMO

Nov-56 Overhaul (Body from RF299) 7817 (ex NLE 518)

Feb-62 Overhaul (Body from RF536) 8713 (ex NLE 536)

Nov-65 Overhaul (No Body Change)

Jan-73 Overhaul (Body from RF494) 8012 (ex MXX 471)

K - Kingston (various)

May-77 Withdrawn

Dec-77 Kestrel Glider Club

Feb-00 Mike Dawes & Ray Crouch

**Vehicle History**
Oct-52	New, RF312, MLL949	9821LT674, 7830, 2RF2, B41F
	D, Dalston, 208/208A
Mar-56	Re-numbered, RF531, MLL 949
Apr-59	OMO Conversion	1/2RF5/3, B39F, OMO
Nov-56	Overhaul (Body from RF299)	7817 (ex NLE 518)
Feb-62	Overhaul (Body from RF536)	8713 (ex NLE 536)
Nov-65	Overhaul (No Body Change)
Jan-73	Overhaul (Body from RF494)	8012 (ex MXX 471)
	K - Kingston (various)
May-77	Withdrawn
Dec-77	Kestrel Glider Club
Feb-00	Mike Dawes & Ray Crouch

Mike & Ray acquired 'The Wincher' at the start of the year. We initially viewed it as a source of spare parts, but have now become rather fond of it. The future for what must be the most unusual conversion of an RF therefore remains uncertain, but we have now taken the initiative to remove the 'hump'.

"The Naked Wincher"
That's better!

The intention is now to convert her as a recovery vehicle

"This is what RF531 used to look like as a bus...."

All I know is that she is wearing Hounslow codes(?)
and I have been unable to contact the photographer (MR D.C. Wilkinson) for any further details.

And here we have a model representation....

A 1/76 scale "Wincher" no less. Nice one Ian!