Wanted Inter Semi Trailer
 

Wanted for restoration International plus Semi Trailer to drive Alice Springs to Darwin for 75th anniversary of WW2.

Trailer preferably round front, most built by Freighter. Square style OK.

Prime mover could be any spider axle K, KS, KB.

Lang

Isn’t Belfield’s unit for sale Lang?

Jack

Ray just gave me a heads up as well.

I will follow up tomorrow.

Thanks

Lang

You could set it up as a nice evening lounge bar for the dusty travellers.

Jack

At this stage I am thinking about 16 ft for the 1/2 ton Dodge and the rest for ???. All suggestions welcome.

Lang

I found a round front McGrath trailer and bought it last week in Tamworth. Good straight unit with a quick release dolly as well. It is very straight but no floor or sides so some work ahead.

All I need is an International to pull it. K6/KB6 is what I have my heart set on so still need leads boys!

Lang

PS. I also found what I believe is a Number 4 or 4a square front McGrath in Glen Innes if anyone is interested.

Hi Lang,

I think the KB series is a post-war vehicle?

In 1943, the Aust Army started converting over 400 K5 and KS5 Internationals from GS lorries to semi-trailer tractors, mainly for use on the North-South Road. All were equipped with new-build McGrath semi-trailers. The contracts were specifically for the conversion of existing GS lorries.

I noticed in AWM126 that there was also a batch of KS6 semi-trailers purchased and taken on charge by 11 LofC area (ie the unit controlling the N-S Road).

Mike

Mike

I just say K5/K6 for simplicity.

Nearly every K5 International I have seen in my hunting is a KS5 with the two-speed mechanical rod operated diff and that is the one I need.

The only difference between K5 and KB5 was a couple of chrome strips on the grille so once painted nobody would know(even experts would be hard pushed to tell the difference.)

The vehicle I really want is the KS6 or 7 or KBS6 or 7. Like my photos above. They have much more authority and a bit more power. They had the same mechanical two-speed diff but the KBS6 had the vacuum operated two-speed in its final years 49/50

Just as an aside. During my hunting trip last week in northern NSW I found about a dozen K5/KS5 in various states of repair but no goers. Of that lot most were ex-army. I found 5 totally different cabs ranging from:

1) untouched steel cab full civilian style with both Australian and USA cabs,
2) untouched steel cab except for roof cut out and canvas top,
3) untouched steel cab except for roof cut out and half doors with canvas side screens,
4) canvas roof and sidescreens with flat back panel with canvas curtain,
5) full "sports" no steel canvas cab with bows.
6) Windscreens on any style cab varied from fixed,
7)full opening with neat US style hinges,
8) full opening with external Australian style hinges,
9) individual opening left and right windscreens.brass frames

Lang

Hi Lang,
Graham Meyer is advertising a KS5 at present, for restorarion. He is at Bithramere.

regards, Richard

Richard

I spent the night with him last week and bought his McGrath trailer!

He has a number of K5 but I am hopeful of something a bit closer to running (and preferably a K6) at this stage. He is a very nice bloke very willing to help.

Lang

That was quite a coincidence!! Well done on the trailer anyway.

Mike

Here are just a few variations on WW2 International cabs that I saw last week. There are several others as well. All these vehicles are KS5 - two speed axles. The first 3 have the back of the cab cut out and replaced with a half-height flat panel with canvas upper section.

Lang

1) Open top, individual brass windscreens, reinforced "kitchen cupboard" hinges. Photo taken in Victoria by another forum member some time ago.
2) Open top (tin patched by farmer), no reinforcing on hinges, military bumper.
3) open top, single screen, large "Australian" hinges, civilian bumper.
4) Closed top fixed screen, army style roll down canvas on back window, army stenciling inside bonnet, holes in bumper for spring guard.
5) Closed top wind-out screen, American cab. Fancy 1960's Holden car headlight rings. You can still see the army numbers on the bonnet.

Quite apart from the army modifications there are 3 different types of standard full steel cabs. Look at the creases in the doors under the side windows.

Here is detail of an Army KS6 (The K5 was the same cab)

Would that gmc be for sale by any chance ?

I don't know. I will try to contact him for you.

Lang

Is there any photos of it ,
Thank you

No, just in background

This is progress so far.

McGrath Number 3 trailer. Very straight but requires deck etc.

International KBS 5 with two-speed axle and tipper. Not exactly what I want (still looking for a KS or KBS6) but would do the job. I have sourced all the original army cab, bumpers etc to convert it to a lookalike but it is really too good to mess with. Good runner with zero rust available for swap/trade/deal on a 6 or 7.

.

Finally got the McGrath home.