Austin 3ton

serge · #1 09-09-07, 20:56

Last Week in northern France, there was a military vehicules meeting (called "Le PAS de CALAIS LIBERE") and in the british convoy I saw 2 AUSTIN K3.
The first one, owns single wheels on the rear axle and its lights were on the mudguard; the second one had its headlights at the usual position (on each side of the radiator) but had double wheels on the rear axle.
> What are the designations of these two trucks (pictures attached).
> If any one is interested in examining the convoy, a slideshow can be found at this address :
http://www.hiboox.com/lang-fr/diapor...uu8j9kvwfg9l07

regards

serge · #2 09-09-07, 20:57

The second pic

Richard Farrant · #3 09-09-07, 21:21

Quote:

Originally posted by serge
Last Week in northern France, there was a military vehicules meeting (called "Le PAS de CALAIS LIBERE") and in the british convoy I saw 2 AUSTIN K3.
The first one, owns single wheels on the rear axle and its lights were on the mudguard; the second one had its headlights at the usual position (on each side of the radiator) but had double wheels on the rear axle.

Serge,

The first picture is of an early K3, possibly 1939-40, they were fitted with civilian type wheels at this time, then Austin started to fit the WD Divided rim as in the second photo. Headlamp positions were altered on some vehicles as I believe they could have been too high with blackouts on. The K2 ambulance also had their light positions altered during the war period.

The first photo is of a K3 owned by Paul Chapman, he is seen standing by the vehicle to the rear.

David_Hayward (RIP) · #4 10-09-07, 15:25

Note the difference in bonnet louvres, presumably to afford more ventilation?

Neil Ashley · #5 10-09-07, 19:03

I had always assumed obviously wrongly that the vehicles with the lowered head light position were modified post-war. I believe a batch came out of Norway about 15 years ago and they all had the lowered head light position.

I assume their is photographic / manual evidence to confirm this late war modification?

Richard Farrant · #6 10-09-07, 22:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Ashley
I had always assumed obviously wrongly that the vehicles with the lowered head light position were modified post-war. I believe a batch came out of Norway about 15 years ago and they all had the lowered head light position.

I assume their is photographic / manual evidence to confirm this late war modification?

This was recently discussed with Graeme Sty, long time K2 ambulance owner, who now runs the K2 Ambulance register, see his website;
www.tech-designz.com/k2ambulance.htm

On his site is the following, I quote "in 1944, Austin moved the headlamps grill to bumper....making a new grille with no holes in it.............then in 1945, civilian K2 lorries were supplied with lights back in the old position at top of grille"

By the way, the second K3 shown is another local owner to me and I know that truck is ex-Danish Army, so that could account for the light positons on the wings, it certainly has the holes in the side of the grille.

Neil Ashley · #7 11-09-07, 08:55

Thanks for the information Richard. I assume original vehicles with the lowered lighting position must be quite rare due to the lateness of introduction.

I would still suggest that all the vehicles which were supplied to Denmark had the modification done to comply with the then relevant Construction and use Regulations. I note the vehicle pictured still appears to have the holes in the grill to take the lamps in the raised position, so their new position may be as the result of a modification. It would be intetesting to know the history of the vehicle.

Les Freathy · #8 11-09-07, 17:05

This one is doing the rally circuit at the moment i believe, i rather fancy one of this model with single rears to compiment our civvy K2 2 tonner

Les Freathy · #9 11-09-07, 17:08

whoops, the grandsons football club gets in every where lets try again

Les Freathy · #10 11-09-07, 17:10

This photo was taken in the 1950s of a postwar British army K3 and it still has the headlights fixed to thrad
Les

lynx42 · #11 12-09-07, 00:45

G'day all, Just got back from an interstate raid to South Australia and found this beauty over there last week. Not for sale though. There is also another with the lower position lights in the SA Military Museum.

lynx42 · #12 12-09-07, 00:50

Other side.

lynx42 · #13 12-09-07, 00:51

Front on.

lynx42 · #14 12-09-07, 00:53

LHRear tyre. 10.50x16.

Richard Farrant · #15 12-09-07, 01:12

Quote:

Originally posted by lynx42
G'day all, Just got back from an interstate raid to South Australia and found this beauty over there last week. Not for sale though. There is also another with the lower position lights in the SA Military Museum.

Hi Rick,

Reckon you have been to see Tony then?

That Austin is obviously a late war model, as it has the roof hatch and no holes in the rad surround for the lights, so it is as Graeme Sty was describing on the K2 ambulance website. It would put this K2 at around 1944/45.

lynx42 · #16 12-09-07, 08:57

Your quick Richard. We have just spent about 3 weeks with Tony on a Outback Rally. Many sand-dunes, lots of dust, but great company all round.
Rick

David_Hayward (RIP) · #17 12-09-07, 13:39

Are these Austins please?

David_Hayward (RIP) · #18 12-09-07, 13:40

EDITED: Humber Super Snipe Car 4-seater Utility from the batch M 4156668 to 4156867 (V.3590). Thanks!

Richard Farrant · #19 12-09-07, 20:40

Quote:

Originally posted by David_Hayward
Are these Austins please?

David,

They are very early K3 trucks, probably 1939, catching a glimpse of the large headlamps. Fitted with 34x7 tyres as the civvy models. The vehicle in foreground of second photo is a Humber Snipe Heavy Utility 4x2

Richard Farrant · #20 12-09-07, 20:41

Quote:

Originally posted by lynx42
Your quick Richard. We have just spent about 3 weeks with Tony on a Outback Rally. Many sand-dunes, lots of dust, but great company all round.
Rick

Rick,

How about starting a new thread with some photos of your trip?

lynx42 · #21 13-09-07, 05:08

Richard,
I'll do that as soon as I get time, this last trip was 3812km in the Ex General Stanley Savige 1940 Chevrolet Staff car. Home for 2 weeks and off again on a Central Australian trip with 17 military vehicles from all over OZ. Called the 2007 Half-Trackers Trip. You should be out here for it. 2010 is the BIG on to Queensland and beyond , so start saving.
Rick

Richard Farrant · #22 13-09-07, 09:21

Quote:

Originally posted by lynx42
Home for 2 weeks and off again on a Central Australian trip with 17 military vehicles from all over OZ. Called the 2007 Half-Trackers Trip. You should be out here for it. 2010 is the BIG on to Queensland and beyond , so start saving.

Rick,

You lucky devils, you have really upset me now

Have a good, second, trip and regards to all fellow veteran Trackers from '95

Radek · #23 13-09-07, 23:06

My K30/YC 1940