Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Webb
Does anyone know why the 15cwt types were not modified this way? There are a few late production F15As around with standard steel doors.
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Keith, we should probably define early and late production so we're all on the same page, particularly as it's peculiar to Australia. In my mind it's defined by the chassis, specifically steering ends and steering box. The delineation between early and late production is sharp - all Australian CMPs prior to '44 had small steering ends and steering box, then suddenly all Australian CMPs had large steering ends and steering box, with the sole exception of the 15 cwt (disregarding the Australian ambo which was anomalous in several respects).
For some reason the switch to large steering ends and steering box was simultaneously and universally accompanied by cab modification, specifically removable canvas doors. We find no early production chassis with canvas doors, and no late production chassis with steel doors, with the sole exception once again of the 15 cwt.
Why this should be so is unclear, but what IS clear is that canvas doors were only fitted to heavy duty vehicles, and steel doors were only fitted to light duty vehicles. If we accept that as a valid principle then it makes perfect sense, because the 15 cwt was definitely not intended for heavy duty. In fact having driven one on the road now I'm not even sure it was intended to leave the base!