Television Detector Vans
Television Detector Vans
Seen here with gleaming paintwork is Spacevan. No. 3 out of a series of 20 built, now the sole survivor. This has been fully restored by Martin Maltas.

 





UHF Television Detector Van 7850002 T.P. 45 © Martin Maltas 2010.
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Television Detector Vans

Once upon a time TV detector vans, in the form of Commer vehicles, were used to track down unlicensed televisions. This was for many years part of the remit of the Post Office.

The BBC took over responsibility for collecting the licence fee from the Home Office in 1991 and today, all records are held on a computer database, so that addresses which do have a registered license can be more easily targetted, for sets which are being operated unlawfully.


TVDV 7850002 Restoring a Spacevan
7850002
These were the early stages of Martin's project to reclaim a Spacevan back into a fully restored television detector vehicle.

TVDV 785002
See other Commer van photos at www.commervanfan.co.uk.
 
Television Detector Van
Photographed taking part in the Post Office Vehicle Club Rally at Amberley.



 

UHF Television Detector Van CNJ 423T at Amberley Museum © LSA April 2011.
Interior view
Interior view photographed at the Post Office Vehicle Club Rally at Debden.





 

UHF Television Detector Van CNJ 423T at Debden © LSA Sept 2012.
YUB 224J Martin's Father working with a 1970's Television Detector
Martin's father with YUB 224J
Martin's Father used to operate this Commer YUB 224J detector van during the 1970s.
Commer YUB 224J
C O M M E R YUB 224 J  This registration is August 1970
Inside YUB 224J
Martin's Father seated in the back of the van at the controls of the detecting and ranging equipment.
Television Detector Van
Martin's Father at the wheel of the Post Office television detector van.
Photos © Martin Maltas, except where stated.
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