In the UK Military Bridging series I briefly touched on the concept of over bridging but I found an image that I think illustrates perfectly what it is, saves a thousand words and all that :)
With thanks to 21 Engineer Regiment
An Overbridge
In the UK Military Bridging series I briefly touched on the concept of over bridging but I found an image that I think illustrates perfectly what it is, saves a thousand words and all that :)
With thanks to 21 Engineer Regiment
Does anyone know if HGOB (Heavy Girder Over Bridge)is still in service? and if not did someone buy it and have stocks for hire?
I don’t think TD described the HGOB in his excellent series.
When Honest John was introduced into BAOR, it was found that the German farmers’ bridges over their drainage ditches were not strong enough and HGOB was developed, using two HGB Transoms as the girders and a modified EW Bailey Transom as a cross girder. HGB Ramp panels were then used to span from each bank to the cross girder. All the kit would fit on one Bedford with an abundance of timber sleepers.
MOD still shows one here but the page looks a little bit out of date http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/equipment/703.aspx
As with everything HGB the beams were knackeringly heavy (The hint is in the H).
Thanks Nick, didnt realise that was the driver for HGOB. The MGOB is still definitely in service but not sure about HGOB, it was many many years ago since I last saw one
Minor correction
I don’t think the HGOB fitted on a single bedford. I remember having to use 14T. Unless that;s what you meant ?
Hello all,
Just to add a little context to this photo (I took it), it shows the temporary over bridge (MGOB) at Check Point Yellow One-Four, north of Lashkar Gah. While members of 4 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment built a perminent crossing (the start of the aggregate causeway can be seen in the background).
This was taken in July 2010 and a clip of the main bridge’s construction is on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHk2BQLkBNI
Cheers-
Parky
It’s not an MGOB, it’s a collection of bits from BR90 being pressed into service as an overbridge.
Ah, I see now, having zoomed in it looks nothing bloody like an MGB does it, the image label says Medium Girder Over Bridge :)
Anyway, welcome to TD Dave and Parky
Nobody likes a “know all” but if the person who took the photo doesn’t know what it then what hope has anyone else got!
Excellent site, just wish there was enough time in the day to digest all the fascinating and important information on here.
I am a serving Royal Engineer, hence my keen interest in all things bridges!
Dave, were you reading TD when I did the 20 part bridging series?
Start here if not…
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2011/11/uk-military-bridging-introduction/