Bedford QLB Question
 

Good day,
This is not CMP related, but it is a question that has annoyed me for 27 years ever since I got my first QLB.
I have been searching the internet and the AWM photos under Bedford ,Bofors and anti aircraft for a some indication where the Bedford QLBs that Australia got in WW2 were used.

There is one photo in Norm Darwin's History of Holden book but that is it.

There were two batches of lorries supplied, ARN 62090-62217 supplied to Victoria and ARN 89060-89118 supplied to 2 where ever that is.

The AWM records show that they are 1941/42/44. Would this be when they were supplied as the chassis numbers are all around the same, spread out between QLB9935 to QLB24791. I own QLB10992/ARN 62123, QLB14158/ARN 62158, and QLB14480/ARN 89101 this is the one I use in parades, the other two are parts trucks although you could make one out of the two sort of.

I see in the AWM books that half a dozen of the ARN 89*** series went to New Guinea.

You would think that out of around 180 vehicles some would have showed up in a photo somewhere, even a few of the very rare in Australia AEC Matadors showed up in the anti aircraft photo search. As far as Bofors tractors go there are photos of all sorts of trucks including GMC 6X6, 2 wheel drive Australian cab Chevs, cab13 No 8 and No 9 CGT/FGT even a cab12 gun tractor and of course the correct cab 13 Bofors gun tractor.

It looks like General Motors Holden bought 90 percent of the Australian QLBs disposed of.

I have a GMC steel body on 89101 I am happy with that as there is a photo in one of Bart Vanderveen's books showing a QLB converted to a cargo truck with a GMC body. A correct QLB body and crew cab would be non-existent in Australia these days, I have never seen one advertised anywhere.

Anyway back to the original question does anyone have any idea where they were used?
Ken

location
 

I would guess at NSW

"A correct QLB body and crew cab would be non-existent in Australia these days "

Didn't Tim Vibert have one ? He found a complete QLB with original body on a property up along the Murray river of all places , the QLB he had was seen in a W&T edition years ago

Thanks for the reply Mike, I wonder where the Tim Vibert one ended up, I haven't seen any mention of it over the years. I would like to see one close up to see if it is able to be replicated easily. I would be happy with making just a replica crew cab, one of the trucks still has the mounting brackets for that on it.
I will have a look though my copies of W&T. I nice fellow in England sent me some pictures of his QLB years ago.
So 2 is NSW, looks like they came in definite seperate batches then.
I just remembered my good truck does have a CMP connection it has a Chev transfer case.

Cheers Ken

W&t
 

Ken

Tims QLB is seen in the editorial pages in the front where Bart often commented on finds from readers around the globe. Don't know where that QLB ended up, Tim would know who he sold it to. The Bofors crew body was stored in a barn , the farmer removed it and fitted a tray.

Tim ran a fancy ' wanted to buy ' advert in the Weekly Times rural newspaper with a pic of a QL in the ad, would have been around 1980

Is it possible these Bedford trucks apart from the couple that might have gone to New Guinea did nothing, sat in a vehicle park but still didn't manage to appear in any photos.
Like I said in post #1 even the Matadors got a photo in the Australian Army AWM photo album and I see that the 4 Hathi's got their picture taken.
Ken

missing photos
 

Anything is possible Ken.

In the AWM registers there are a number of 15cwt Bedford MWC tankers listed, but when it comes to photos of them in Australian service , well, I've never seen any except for a brief film clip of one in the Port Moresby area with a searchlight unit.

2= 2MD = 2 Military District = NSW

Mike

Wheels and tracks number 9 pg 5 has a short write up on the QLB Tim found.
I brought a box of military books and magazines at clearing sale weekend before last included in box was that edition of W&Ts.
Funny how that happens.