Parkes Radio Telescope CMP

[ozm29c]

Fellows,
I work for the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility (Narrabri) as a Cryogenics Officer and in my travels I came across this old warhorse at Parkes.
http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/
Speaking to the older members of our group it has been there a long time and I would hazard a guess that it was used in the construction of the telescope in the early 60's plus used as a crane truck until new HSE regulations sent it to the scrap heap.
Please see photos.
BTW it is definitely "NOT FOR SALE" otherwise I would have added it to my collection by now
Cheers
John Wilson

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

What does the data plate in the fourth photo mean?

[ozm29c]

Sorry,
Photo is a bit blurry!!!!
here is what it says;

General Motors of Canada LTd
Oshawa Canada
Chassis model 8443
Cab Model WO 48
Chassis serial 2 8443 P00194
Engine Serial PR 3866621
Date of Manufacture 20 - 12 - 43

Hope this helps
Cheers
John Wilson

[Mike Kelly]

It still sports its old Commonwealth of A number plate .. A RED C followed by the numerals

Mike

[Phil Waterman]

Hi John

Interesting bit of CMP history, while not being for sale, the truck would have an interesting history if it ever is released and restored.

I enjoyed browsing around http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/ web site, interesting stuff. Whats the story on the fireworks display next to the Telescope dish.

My father did some work on the dish at the Navel Research Lab in Washington DC back in the 40s and 50s. That dish is in a strange location now as it is almost directly under the main approach path for National Air Port.

[Keith Webb]

Hi John

An interesting find. WO 48 was 'Truck, 3-ton Stores unbinned' for Armoured Div.