1940 MCPs

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I was asked today whether all of the Canadian DND-acquired Modified Civilian Pattern Chevs and Fords had military wheels, etc. or whether there were any purely civilian-style trucks some of which were shipped over to the UK for the 1st Division?

It has been stated that numbers of civilian trucks were acquired and just painted green, but has anyone actually any evidence of this as alll the photos I have seen of early non-CMP Canadian trucks had military tyres and wheels.

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
I was asked today whether all of the Canadian DND-acquired Modified Civilian Pattern Chevs and Fords .......... or whether there were any purely civilian-style trucks ....?

By definition, the Pure civilian-style trucks were different to the MODIFIED Civilian Pattern trucks.
There is photo evidence and AWM records of impressed civilian trucks (and cars and motorcycles) in use with the Aust Army and various Govt and Non-Govt supporting bodies, but it is less clear if civilian-spec trucks were purchased when MCP's were not available.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

This is the only photo I can lay my hands on (in my collection) of 1940 Canadian civilian-style trucks. I am no expert but the wheels and tyres look civilian pattern to me.

[cliff]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
This is the only photo I can lay my hands on (in my collection) of 1940 Canadian civilian-style trucks. I am no expert but the wheels and tyres look civilian pattern to me.

David they are 5 spoke Budd type rims and yes they are found mainly on civilian vehicles.

Below is a pic of an Indian Style Ambulance for the AIF which was purchased and donated to the army by an organisation here in Australia. This appeares to me to be a straight civilian cowl/windscreen/chassis!

Now looking at the picture the front looks exactly like a civilian truck that has just been fitted with the Indian style body. Note the Budd type wheels, lack of cutout on the front guards for larger tyres and no high bumper bar or shackles on the front bumper.

IMHO there were a few civilian type vehicles in the forces but I think you will find that as more vehicles became availiable these would have been fazed out. But you may find that ambulances based on Civilian type chassis were the norm rather then the exception and again this may have changed as more military style chassis become availiable. For example the CMP chassis.

Pic from the AWM data banks.

[cmperry4]

Have a look at the Ford on this thread (still for sale, too)

http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...highlight=Ford