The Bedford MK was a 4×4 variant of the Bedford TK truck, used in large numbers by the British Armed Forces and others. Introduced in 1970 to replace the Bedford RL, it was produced in many variants and more than 50,000 were built.
Bedford MK at a glance
| Maker | Bedford |
|---|---|
| Model | 4×4 military variant of the Bedford TK |
| Introduced | 1970 |
| Replaced | Bedford RL |
| Payload | 4 tons |
| Engine | 5.4-litre six-cylinder; K multi-fuel, later J turbo diesel |
| Power | 93 hp at first, later 103 hp |
| Load bed | 4.28 m by 2.01 m |
| Fuel and range | 156-litre tanks, about 560 km |
| Built | over 50,000 |
| Designation change | MK to MJ, April 1981 |
History of the Bedford MK
Choosing the MK
In the early 1960s the British Army began a study of a successor to the Bedford RL, its standard truck. Three manufacturers responded: Commer, Austin and Bedford. After extensive testing the Bedford MK, based on the civilian Bedford TK, was selected. The main changes were all-wheel drive and larger tyres, which raised ground clearance; the 4×4 version had a payload of 4 tons. The 5.4-litre K engine could use various fuels, including petrol and aviation fuel. The first order was placed in 1968 and the vehicles left the factory from 1970.
Service and the MJ designation
The MK was introduced in 1970 to replace the Bedford RL. It was very successful, with over 50,000 produced, and was built in many variants, with and without a winch. From April 1981 Bedford changed the designation from MK to MJ because the K multi-fuel engine was superseded by the J turbocharged diesel engine. Other changes were minimal and a MJ could not be distinguished from a MK on the outside. In 1982 a further improvement brought a 5.4-litre turbo diesel and the MJP designation, with production starting in September 1982.
The vehicle had a standard layout, with the engine in the cab and the load space behind. The cab held a driver and a passenger. The first examples had an engine of 93 hp, but the MK was soon fitted with a heavier six-cylinder diesel of 103 hp and 5.4 litres. The load bed was 4.28 m long and 2.01 m wide, and the truck usually came on a long 3.962 m wheelbase, with a 3.505 m variant also available. Fuel tanks held 156 litres, giving a range of about 560 km, and a trailer of 5 tons could be coupled. Many vehicles had a flat load floor for loose containers.
The end of the line
After Bedford’s Dunstable factory was sold in 1987 to AWD, the MK restarted production for military use only until 1992, when AWD was placed in receivership. It was confirmed in March 2014 that, apart from a handful of light recovery vehicles, all British Army Bedford MK and MJ trucks had been disposed of and replaced by RMMV HX60 4×4 trucks. The type also served outside Britain, including in Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Africa.
Design and features
- All-wheel drive: the MK was a 4×4 development of the TK, with larger tyres and greater ground clearance.
- Multi-fuel engine: the 5.4-litre K engine could run on petrol, aviation fuel and other fuels; later J and MJP turbo diesels replaced it.
- Four-ton payload: a 4.28 m by 2.01 m load bed and a flat floor for containers on many vehicles.
- Long range: 156-litre fuel tanks gave about 560 km, and a 5-ton trailer could be towed.
- Many bodies: general service with canopy, mobile workshop, office, signals, recovery, tanker and tipper versions.
Bedford MK versions
- General service: cargo body with a canopy.
- Mobile workshop: a workshop body for field repairs.
- Office vehicle: a mobile office body.
- Signals vehicle: radio and communications body.
- Recovery vehicle: for recovering disabled vehicles.
- Tanker: for fuel or water.
- Tipper: for bulk loads.
- MJP: the 1982 version with a 5.4-litre turbo diesel.
The MK was based on the civilian Bedford TK and replaced the Bedford RL. More military Bedfords are in the Bedford collection.
Sources
- Bedford TK, English Wikipedia: MK/MJ section, production and disposal
- Bedford MK, Dutch Wikipedia: development, engines, dimensions, variants
