What vehicle is it ?

[Eduard Sorokin]

What vehicle is it ? (click to enlarge)

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Photo-Camion-Mili...item5d31d814eb

It is obviously not 1935, and not Ford DAF Trado.

[Keith Webb]

I remember this one from Bart's observer's book and also I think there was an article in Wheels and Tracks. Was it based on a F15A with the Trado bogie? Looks like a GMC front axle.

I also see it has the late type crank handle guide and bumper. Looks like the large steering box bracket to so maybe a 3-tonner.

Here's the pic so it doesn't disappear.

[gordon]

... but the sign on the ground in front of it does say FORD DAF TRADO, and it has 1935 on it ....

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The sign says "Ford with DAF TRADO, year of construction 1935". This was a post-war conversion of a CMP truck with the pre-war TRADO system which converted a single axle into a four-wheel drive bogie. Obviously it did not catch on, possibly because of the surplus of military trucks early after the war. Later, Marshall Plan funds became available, so DAF got to build new trucks which employed a similar, but improved system.

I've always wondered where this prototype went .... was most likely scrapped.

H.

[rob love]

Looking at the truck next to it in the picture, one can see the extreme movement of the axles for passing over rough terrain. That would explain why the cargo box is so high above the frame. I am pretty sure that would also have been a negative on the future production of the truck. For the very marginal amount of time that you would ever be in the situation of having to use the full travel of the suspension, you are forever doomed to having to lift your cargo to shoulder height to load the cargo box, or else satisfying yourself with the very limited space on the lower floor between the wheel wells.

[Stew Robertson]

Is that not a 13 cab scammell 30 cwt.. In 38 ford was doing proto type for these and is it not the same suspenion style as the m20 built by Ford
I believe there was not a lot of them built When I find the right book In will scan the pictures

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by rob love

Looking at the truck next to it in the picture, one can see the extreme movement of the axles for passing over rough terrain. That would explain why the cargo box is so high above the frame. I am pretty sure that would also have been a negative on the future production of the truck. For the very marginal amount of time that you would ever be in the situation of having to use the full travel of the suspension, you are forever doomed to having to lift your cargo to shoulder height to load the cargo box, or else satisfying yourself with the very limited space on the lower floor between the wheel wells.

That truck in the background is the post-war DAF YA-328, a purpose-designed artillery tractor and cargo truck for the Netherlands Army. This used the same basic "walking beam" principle as the pre-war TRADO, albeit it was not available as an after market four heel drive conversion kit. They served well from the mid-1950s till the late 1970s. Their development and production was funded through the Marshall Plan.

Here's a vid of it in action: http://youtu.be/2kLOitkqY1I

Plus a picture of the chassis, which was also used for an armoured car.

H.