What Was This Used For?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Bob,

Wait! Now, this does look more like it, doesn´t it?

Truck 1 1/2-ton, 4 x 2 (LC), GMC COE, Signal Corps K-18, Model No. CF-351- Trailer K19 - 1942
The SCR-197 mobile station consisted of the BC-325 radio transmitter with a frequency coverage of 1.5 to 18 Mhz and an RF power output of 400 watts. Radio receivers consisted of three BC-342 and one Hallicrafters S-20R "Sky Champion". Also provisioned was a BC-119 control box. The complete set was housed in a K-18 truck and K-19 trailer combination. A 45 foot vertical antenna was used for sending and a 15 foot whip used for receiving. Power could be optionally supplied by power mains or portable generator units: one PTO driven GN-42-A generator for the transmitter and two small PE-75 skid-mounted units for the receivers.

Source: www.lone-rover.com

All your mate needs to do now is find the K19 Trailer!

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I knew I had seen these pics before. Here are Life Magazine pictures of the GMC COE Signal Corps K-18 Truck and its K19 Trailer:



Click on the pictures to go the the Life Images @ Google site, then click again for lager size version of these pictures.

HTH,
Hanno

[Grant Bowker]

I am quite sure I saw a K19 trailer on eBay about 6 months ago, being sold by someone in SW USA (Arizona?) It appeared soilid but I don't remember if it had any interior or not. At least it seems one has survived.

[cliff]

Here is a colour photo of one originally from Historylink101.com.

good find Bob it is amazing what is still turning up.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi guys - excellent response with identification. My friend will be very pleased. He thought it may have been a Signals Van possibly attached to an WW2 American base in Ballarat, Victoria.

Bob

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

Hi guys - excellent response with identification. My friend will be very pleased. He thought it may have been a Signals Van possibly attached to an WW2 American base in Ballarat, Victoria.

Bob, as ugly as it is, that's an outstanding find! If he restores that to original configuration, I'm sure it will be the only one in the world so equipped. His suspicion re its background seems spot-on, as if to reinforce everything you've seen here! Now, just to find the K19 trailer...

[cletrac (RIP)]

If he can't find the radio stuff he can always throw a mattress in the back and go camping! I never realized they made a cabover with a built on body like that. Great find!