ID this Trailer Chaps

Ganmain Tony · #1 22-05-11, 07:41

Found by a fellow MLU'er in his travels around this district.

We havent a clue, but it appears to be military. Perhaps it had a massive search light on it?

Ken Smith · #2 22-05-11, 08:31

What a find it is a GL Mk111 c radar trailer and untill this post I thought I had the only one left in the world.The house that went on top of it contained all the electrics and two radar dishes.The whole shelter turned on top of the trailer and in the photos you can see the rounded part at the rear of the top deck to give the shelter clearance to turn.There is a lot of info on this forum about the trailers and the radar.Australia had about eighty as far as I can tell.Does it have a ARN ? The radar was made by REL in Canada in about 1943
Cheers Ken

Ganmain Tony · #3 22-05-11, 09:07

Thanks Ken - that is .... well, what can I say?

You fellows on this forum never cease to amaze me. This forum continues to be the best way to expand ones knowledge of the Military equipment world.

For the record, myself and the chap who found it have no interest in gaining financially from its discovery or finding out what it actually is.

Any photo's Ken of a complete example??

Keith Webb · #4 22-05-11, 10:12

I take it we'll soon see it gracing the grounds of Elliott Manor in Ganmain?

Ganmain Tony · #5 22-05-11, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

I take it we'll soon see it gracing the grounds of Elliott Manor in Ganmain?

Just interested in what it is Keefy. And amazed at what still is around

Manor?? I prefer Estate...

Ken Smith · #6 22-05-11, 11:06

The only complete ones I have seen photos of I found by searching radar on this forum,but your photos have answered quite a few questions about my trailer plus brought up a few more.All the photos show the trailers with single wheels on the front but mine and "yours" both have duals,mine did use to carry a Cat D6 around though and I know that the previous owner fitted the extra wheels at the Gold Coast before they brought it home in the late 1950,s.
When I got mine the previous owners had all the radar shelter turntable , tool boxes and stabilisers that they proudly gave me. I am missing the adjustable feet which I see that "yours" has.I would like to know how the single wheels were fitted to the dual wheel hubs,does any one have a parts book for one of these trailers?
Cheers Ken

Keith Webb · #7 22-05-11, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

I take it we'll soon see it gracing the grounds of Elliott Manor in Ganmain?

I meant to say the extensive grounds of the Elliott Manor Estate in the town of Ganmain (cab 12 universal centre).

You should become an Earl, or at least Lord of the Manor.

Howard · #8 23-05-11, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

...You should become an Earl, or at least Lord of the Manor.

Good Idea. Earl Elliott.

Local Chap · #9 22-05-11, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

What a find it is a GL Mk111 c radar trailer Cheers Ken

It's only half of the GL MkIII set. It's the APF (Altitude position Fix) trailer. There was also a ZPI (Zone Position Indicator) to complete the set.

Ken Smith · #10 23-05-11, 05:58

Thanks Local Chap this forum is amazing at bringing the impossible to reality.I have never seen the Shilo photo,s before .I have gone from thinking I had the only REL radar trailer, to now they are like mushrooms popping up every where it is wonderfull to see. I suppose if we had the whole outfit we would have a couple of FWD HAR 01s and a C60L.
Has anyone found an ARN on any of the Australian trailers?
Cheers Ken

Ganmain Tony · #11 23-05-11, 09:35

No Ken - are there any data plate positions on these trailers you may know about? Serial numbers? etc?

Perhaps a standard position that they painted the ARN & we may be able to rub or wet the paint to see what lies beneath.....

Ken Smith · #12 23-05-11, 10:24

Tony the only data plate I have found is a tiny one on the turntable which is the Research Enterprise Limited data plate and that doesn't have much info on it. I haven't found anywhere that a plate might have been on the trailer and no sign of a ARN,I have a feeling I read some where that the trailers were made by one of the Canadian mainstream trailer makers.I haven't found any numbers stamped straight on the frame but I will have another look when the ground dries out and I can get up the paddock.
Cheers Ken

Ken Smith · #13 24-05-11, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

Ken,
I have the remains of the C60L for your outfit!

Regards,
Robert Williams

Robert that would be very nice to have and it is within border raid distance to.The data plate is very well preserved.Does your truck have a Canadian cab or an Australian one?
Cheers Ken

alamotex · #14 08-01-12, 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local Chap

It's only half of the GL MkIII set. It's the APF (Altitude position Fix) trailer. There was also a ZPI (Zone Position Indicator) to complete the set.

Just how I missed this thread when it was active in May 2011, beats me...the GL III(c) story is a major interest of mine and Local Chap's post is a good place for me to add my two cents worth. The on-line source for the three attached thumbnails was yours truly..in fact the two coloured images APF ( Accurate Position Finder ) and the ZPI ( Zone Position Indicator ) were taken in Shilo, Manitoba when it was first discovered ( 2006 ) that one GL III (c) had survived in Canada. The Canadian developed GL III (c) was the first centimetric mobile gunlaying radar to be put into mass production by the Allies during WW II. It represents a remarkable achievement by Canadian Scientists and Engineers when microwave technology was in its infancy. What is remarkable about the APF unit at Shilo is that much of the original (1942 )interior pre solid state electronics is still in place ( see attached ) and could be partially restored if certain obstacles could be overcome. I was aware of the two gutted ZPI trailers discovered in Oz by Tony Smith, but those referred to in this thread are new to me. Please get in touch by PM if you wish to dialogue further on this topic.

Cheers Brian

Local Chap · #15 23-05-11, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

What a find it is a GL Mk111 c radar trailer ......There is a lot of info on this forum about the trailers and the radar. Australia had about eighty as far as I can tell.

Cheers Ken

Found this info on the Canadian contingent that came out to train the Aussies in the use of the radar, and the 86 units that the Aust Gov purchased. Surprised just how late in the war these arrived and were put into use. Note that a "unit" (x 86) consisted of 5 vehicles, 3 trucks and 2 trailers.

Local Chap · #16 23-05-11, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The only data plate I have found is a tiny one on the turntable which is the Research Enterprise Limited data plate and that doesn't have much info on it. I haven't found anywhere that a plate might have been on the trailer and no sign of a ARN, I have a feeling I read some where that the trailers were made by one of the Canadian mainstream trailer makers. I haven't found any numbers stamped straight on the frame but I will have another look when the ground dries out and I can get up the paddock.
Cheers Ken

The APF trailers were constructed by Brantford and the ZPI trailers by Truck Engineering Co, both Canadian roadfreight vehicle makers and bodybuilders.

The radar units were rego'd into the Aust Army in two batches of ARN's (which would tie in to the two Canadian contingents arriving into Sydney and Melbourne) in the ARN ranges of 123801-123960 (Vic) and 146001-146250 (NSW) and 147737-147843(NSW) in various blocks.

I have seen one of these trailers on a block not all that far from me a couple of years ago, and I recall at the time it had a sheet brass Data Plate on the right hand frame of the front axle dolly.