[Mike Kelly]

Yes , the F8 is in service with the LRDG . They only had the one I believe . I read somewhere that they didn't like it at all . The engine suffered from sand /dust intrusion .

I have scoured the AWM archive for any pics of C8 or F8 vehicles . Only found one , a C8 in the background taken in New Guinea , it may have been the only example to ever reach that part of the world . It is rather odd that they seem to be unheard of in NZ . The Kiwis must have done the honest thing and handed em back before going home .

The examples found here are all ex Middle East (except one ) , pilfered from the British ..... we are of convict stock after all .

Some C8's I have been told / know of :

Vic Drew, the Melbourne dealer, had one in the 1950's , used at their garage ( source Bill Drew )

Wangaratta GM dealer used one as a service vehicle in the 1950's

Garage at Jerilderie NSW had one too . ( since moved to Mansfield area )

The Lakes Entrance garage example was restored by Tim Vibert , sold to a fellow in Wagga , than sold to NZ where it still is.

Front half exists near Mywee in Vic. The rear half of this truck was sitting in a saw mill until around 1982 . (I just missed it)

Chassis was owned by a well known collector Shepparton Vic.

ex farm C8 from Yea district , bought by me, 1981 .

One turned up on Epay in NSW with 16" car wheels fitted

Another is at Drouin Vic., again with 16" car wheels .

There are a few in QLD also .

I know of another six C8's in collectors hands , and a single lonely F8 is owned by a NSW collector .

Probably around fifty arrived here . Bound to be more hiding away somewhere . Usually , the original bodies are long gone , replaced by a flat tray .

Mike