PROV pics

[Mike Kelly]

I've started a new thread for the Publc Records Office Victoria pics.

First pic is a Dodge WC52 in service with the Victorian Railways. The Dodge has been converted to Right Hand Drive. The reg. Number SG445 was issued in the early 1950s.

RHD conversations to ex-military vehicles were relatively common in Aust. But it depends on which State the vehicle was registered in, the laws were not universal .Some States (Victoria) were very strict , banning LHD vehicles in 1948. Some of the conversions were poorly engineered. At a club event years ago, a member turned up with his RHD WW2 Diamond T wrecker- the conversion was: steering column chopped off at the firewall, moved over to the RH side and two sprockets and a chain were employed.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/D245...61206E?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/D247...243215?image=1

VR also had at least one Power Wagon

[Mike Kelly]

Next we have a 1940 Chev utility in service with the Melbourne Harbour Trust. Pic is dated to 1944. Seems that a good number of vehicles escaped the military ,and were issued to essential users, government departments.


https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/C135...F78AC4?image=1

[Mike Kelly]

61403
Exterior Princes Bridge station with illuminated sign for the zoo. Ambulance parked outside;

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/9886...BB7157?image=1

[Mike Kelly]

A series of pics taken on the same day in 1944. Edit: the trucks are mid 1930s Brockway.

394/40
TRANSPORT BY ROAD OF BOATS CONSTRUCTED AT NEWPORT WORKSHOPS 21-10-1944; B/W; RAILWAY; WORKSHOPS


A Left Hand Drive truck (Brockway) with Commonwealth number plate. The door emblem reads: MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/1B0E...635EAA?image=1

[Mike Kelly]

This is a petrol lighter built for the U.S. forces

615 Gem Pier, Williamstown. 85 foot steel petrol lighter for American Army at Gem Pier.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/8980...F1012F?image=1

A recent view of Gem Pier, the vessel is a WW2 era minesweeper.

[Mike Kelly]

The 1940 Chevrolet utility with fire pump and ARP crew. Melbourne Harbour Trust, wartime pic.

Looks like a 1940 Dodge with bespoke cab.

The Dock scene with the fire pumps , the pumps with the hoses stored look like these.
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=19693

476A Fire service truck and Dodge Fire Pump 'A' with trailer pumps and asbestos suits manned by A.R.P. wardens ready for the Air Raid Precautions procession through streets of Melbourne.

477 Mountain Street, Victoria Dock. Trust's Fire Station.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/8491...A26DF8?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/78D5...6285C1?image=1

https://images.prov.vic.gov.au/loris.../0/default.jpg

[Mike Kelly]

A 1939 Chevrolet van: with a ugly looking gas producer. The headlights have blackout covers. Wartime.

The Victorian registration sequence began in 1939 with AA000 and ended in 1953 with ZZ999. In 1946 they were up to 'J'


https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/CE21...F9ECED?image=1

[Mike Kelly]

Victorian Railways FJ Holden utility, but in the background, a Ford CMP in use with Victorian Railways.