Commer Q2: Truck, 15-cwt, 4x2, Van
 

I'm trying to gather some more information on the Commer Q2 15-cwt as used by the RAF during WW2. Here's what I found in Vanderveen's books (text) and the internet (pictures):

6-cyl. 66-bhp engine (own 20.9 hp 3180-cc sv) driving rear wheels via 4-speed gearbox. Hydraulic brakes. Leaf-spring suspension. Tyre size 10.50-16. Wheelbase 120 in.
Overall dimensions 189x78x90 in. Weight 5375 lb.
Composite construction integral bodywork by Mulliners of Birmingham for RAF, production starting July 1940. Later production had 80-hp 4-litre engine. Several other body styles.

Who has handbooks, more historic / technical background, photos?

Thanks!
Hanno

Attachment 28940

Attachment 28939

Hanno I have these two photos of Commer 'Vans'. Not sure where I got these from and also not sure if they are the same model as those you pictured. :)

Attachment 28943 Attachment 28944

Commer
 

Hanno
here is one in the Czech republic

Cliff, Mike,

Thanks for the input!

Could it be the Czech survivor is the one shown in HMVF Forum > Commer Q2 30cwt GS 1939? That thread also shows a picture of a survivor in the UK.

- Hanno

Is this one?
 

just down the road from my place in Gympie about 12 months ago. Is this one of the same type?

Commer
 

I believe that theres a similar truck in Bishop Auckland County Durham UK.

Noth East Military Vehicle club member Possibly MVT as well

Regards stephen :)

yes Cliff,

They were marketed here post ww2 and sold through Rootes dealers as a civilian truck . Rather rare as I've never seen one myself, but I've seen pics of them, mostly small trucks with ute type bodies . I think they ran the contemporary Humber 6 side valve motor but I could be wrong :eek: I have an article on a restored example here, the owner chose to install a later OHV 4 cyl. motor.

Mike

Cooma nsw 1950
 

A snowy mountains hydro series 1 Land Rover tows a Commer, circa 1950 Cooma, NSW .

National archives pic . The SMHA purchased approx. 2000 of the 1950 model Land Rovers.

Mike

restored Comma
 

In West Aussie ...its a 48 model..common with many post war models.. a carry over from the earlier models eg WW2.

http://ccmv.fotopic.net/p29160070.html

Mike

Q15
 

Another surviving Commer. This one is the Q2´s smaller brother, the Q15. Hailing from the UK, it nowadays resides in Holland! Source: www.spear-head.nl

Attachment 28962

Stephen,

You mean this one? Source: http://www.scottishmvg.org/8.html
Apparently it is owned by Malcolm Bogaert, he´s a member of this forum, too.

Attachment 28963

Besides the GS, Explosives Van and Van, the Q2 came in the guise of a Tractor as well.

I´ll make an effort to list the differences between the various Q2´s from the sources I have.

Pic source: www.ianhardy.net

Very Interesting Link
 

Hi Mike

Your link to CCMV leads to a really interesting collection of photos of Military and Civilian Trucks, I spent a long time wondering around it the pictures.

Their home page is http://ccmv.fotopic.net/ thanks for giving me another reason to sit in front of the computer screen when I should be out in the shop working. But it is an interesting bunch of photos.

Cheers Phil

Commer
 

Here is the same Commer after the renovation of the forum member Higgins
:salute:

Yes ..........
 

Yes Phil,

I did the same ..many restored old trucks there ..hours of pics to look at. Many military trucks as well . I think anyone can send in pics to add to the list.

I remember seeing another British-owned 30cwt Commer Q2 at the Dutch liberation day in 1995; will scan a pic of the truck in question in the next few days (also remember we discussed the truck in another MLU thread)

There should be another closed cab Commer (Q2?) in one of the bigger Australian MV museums; saw it on a DVD, just last week.

Than there is the Q2 tractor with Queen Mary that used to be in Holland a few years ago.....not a COE like the one on Ian Hardy's website, but one WITH a nose....Hanno, you probably know where that one is right now.


Anyway, back to the subject....I haven't seen too much information, nor surviving examples of the 15cwt. I do remember seeing a 1/76 scale modelling drawing of the truck in question.

Alex

Would this be a wartime combo....or is this a post-war rebuild of one of the 15cwt's...fitted with a closed cab from a Q2 or Q4? (can't remember seeing a 15cwt Commer with closed cab before...)

Alex

p.s. On the subject of Commer's.....any 3 ton Q4's surviving anywhere? or only the post-war ones?

Alex,

Would be interesting to see that drawing.

Here´s a 1:76 scale kit of the 15-cwt RAF van: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/FHP72213

Commer Q4 3-ton 4x2 truck in post-war civilian use, ca. 1947, The Netherlands.

Source: http://members.home.nl/rhsluik/wegtransport_twente.htm

http://www.military-vehicle-photos.c...number2208.asp

The webpage Rootes Wartime Vehicle Production has a complete breakdown of all vehicles built by the Rootes group reveals between the outbreak of War to the end of August 1943 6,559 Q2's were delivered. Never realised so many were produced!

commer truck
 

yes can confirm one of these in north-east..belonging to long time North east Military vehicle Club member was recently used in the production of the TV film JOE MADDISONS WAR along with Denny Thompsons 3.7 and AEC Matador...cheers malcolm in a very wet north-northumberland

hmm,

I see I made a promise a year ago; will have a look.

Please do.

Thanks in advance!

Vanderveen's Historic Military Vehicles Directory
 

Commer made 15-cwt 4x2 trucks in the following variants:

• Q15 GS
• Q2 Van
• Q2 FFW

Entries from Vanderveen's Historic Military Vehicles Directory:

Attachment 37892

Attachment 37893

Attachment 37894

Several dozen RAF Commer Q2 Vans lined up for an auction shortly after WW2. Note the lack of tilts.

Picture from Wheels & Tracks magazine no.5.

Attachment 37898 Attachment 37897

Well, have a close look here for a survivor!

Hi Hanno,
What a find! This is one of 350, the contract was dated 21st May 1942. Described as Q15 Loose Tilt Van for War Office.

Hanno,
I put the incorrect contract details on my previos post, now corrected. Going by a photocopy of original Rootes wartime contracts list, although the contract was for the WO, I think that the rear number plate might have an RAF number on it .......... or is it a French civilian number?

Wow, very nice! I am glad my presumption of closed cabs on a 15cwt chassis being non-orginal proved to be wrong...what a nice truck.

Richard, I think you might be right....does it say "RAF" on the first line of the licence plate? I guess if it was post-war French civilian, a licence plate on the left hand of the truck would be more logical? Although I am not sure if the rules were so strict that people actually had to move the plate from right to left on trucks like these.

@ Hanno....something for Bert? Location sounds good and I am positive you and I could help him pick the truck up :D