| Fowler Challenger III | |
| Manufacturer: | John Fowler & Co. |
| Production: | 13 (1952–1960) |
| Weight: | 14 tonnes with track pads |
| Propulsion: | tracks |
| Type: | Launch vehicle |
| Engine Model: | Meadows 6 DC630 95 h.p. |
| Gross Power: | 95abbr=onNaNabbr=on |
| Drawbar Pull: | 17 tonnes |
Fowler Challenger III is a continuous track amphibious launch tractor, which was specifically designed for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to launch and recover carriage mounted lifeboats, from beach-launched lifeboat stations.
A total of 13 tractors were constructed over a seven-year period from 1953 to 1960. The tractor is a highly modified version of the standard 95 bhp Fowler Challenger III diesel crawler tractor, manufactured by John Fowler & Co. of Leeds.[1]
A prototype was trialled successfully at in 1952[2]
The tractor developed a draw-bar pull of 21,100 Lbs, through its six-speed gearbox, and was fitted with a specially designed winch, allowing it to exert a maximum pull of 38,500 Lbs. at its lowest speed. Extended gear and clutch levers were fitted, to assist the driver when submerged.
The tractor has been made completely watertight, with the engine compartment sealed with watertight panels and doors. The engine was designed to run for long periods without overheating. Circular brass rubber-seated valves were fitted to the air intake and discharge ports, to be closed when submerged. To prevent damaged, an automatic stop device was also employed.[3]
There were many requirements of the RNLI variant tractor:
| Op. No. | Reg No. | Built | In service | Station | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T56 | 1953 | 1960–1962 1962–1967 1967 1968 1968–1969 1969–1977 1977–1982 1982 1982–1988 1988–1989 | Relief fleet Depot Depot Relief fleet Store | ||
| T57 | NYE 351 | 1953 | 1953–1964 1964–1966 1966–1968 1968–1970 1970–1972 1972–1974 1974 1974–1976 1976–1978 1978–1983 1983–1985 | Relief fleet Relief fleet Depot Depot | In a private collection in Tring, Herts |
| T58 | OJJ 312 HZR 780 | 1953 | 1953–1965 1965–1974 1974–1975 1975–1976 1976–1989 | Depot | |
| T59 | OJJ 866 | 1954 | 1954–1969 1969–1971 1971–1976 1977–1985 | Depot | |
| T60 | OXO 323 | 1954 | 1954–1962 1963–1972 1972–1973 1973–1974 1974–1978 1978–1983 1983–1985 1985–1989 | Depot Relief fleet | |
| T61 | PLA 561 | 1954 | 1954–1966 1966–1967 1967–1968 1968–1969 1969–1975 1975–1984 1985–1988 1988–1989 | Relief fleet Relief fleet Relief fleet | Restored, was offered for sale in 2022.[4] In a private collection in Market Rasen |
| T62 | PLA 698 | 1954 | 1954–1965 1965–1967 1967–1976 1976–1978 1978–1980 1980–1981 1981–1987 1987–1989 | Relief fleet Relief fleet Depot | On display at Chain Bridge Honey Farm, Berwick-upon-Tweed (Stephen Robson Collection). |
| T63 | PXF 163 | 1954 | 1955–1963 1963–1965 1965–1975 1975–1978 1979–1983 1984–1988 1988 | Relief fleet Depot | In a private collection in Huddersfield |
| T64 | PXF 575 | 1955 | 1955–1958 1958–1967 1968–1978 1978–1980 1980–1982 1982–1984 1984–1986 | Relief fleet Relief fleet | In a private collection in Huddersfield |
| T65 | VYT 878 | 1958 | 1958–1959 1959–1963 1963–1970 1970 1970–1972 1972–1973 1974–1985 1985–1990 | Relief fleet Relief fleet Relief fleet | On display at the RNLI Heritage Collection, Chatham Historic Dockyard |
| T66 | XYP 400 | 1959 | 1959–1969 1969–1974 1975 1976–1986 1986–1989 | Depot | In a private collection in Ravensden, Bedfordshire |
| T67 | YLD 792 | 1960 | 1960–1969 1969–1972 1972–1974 1974–1979 1979–1982 1982–1983 1983–1984 1984–1985 1985–1987 1987–1989 | Relief fleet Relief fleet Relief fleet Depot | |
| T68 | YUV 742 | 1960 | 1960–1968 1969–1974 1975–1978 1978–1982 1982–1984 1984–1987 1987 1987–1989 | Relief fleet Relief fleet | In a private collection in Tring, Herts |