Phantom Aussie 6x6 Fords?

[Allan Currey]

Hi all,

I have Stephen Taubert's book on Australian vehicle markings, which has some basic line drawings of several trucks showing camouflage patterns to be applied.
Included are two artillery tractors, both appear to be Marmon Herrington 6x6 conversions of 1940 or 1941 Fords. They are called; Tractors Artillery (Aust) No.5 (6" howitzer), and Tractors Artillery (Aust) No.7 3"2cwt AA gun.
I've never come across any other references to these, so my question is, did either of these trucks ever exist?

Thanks for any input,

Allan

[Keith Webb]

They did indeed exist, I've even seen photographs.

[Bob McNeill]

Ive even seen a couple in a collection in NSW

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Bob McNeill

Ive even seen a couple in a collection in NSW

Or as the more common breakdown version?

[Allan Currey]

Thanks very much Keith and Bob for confirming their existence. Is it safe to say they were only made in small numbers? Pretty much all the heavy artillery pictures I've seen show the guns towed by No.3 tractors, Matadors or later Mack trucks. Would either No. 5 or 7 tractors have served in the Middle East? And for the holy grail, are there any pictures of them or their remains?

Cheers,
Allan

[Lionelgee]

Hello Allan,

Here is a YouTube clip of a Chevrolet CMP 6 x 6 in action. No it is not a Ford but something to look at anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giEQZ6bvZl8

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Allan Currey]

Thanks for that video Lionel. Good to see one going.
And it might be heresy, but I'm not fussed if they're Fords or not, so long as they're Aussie!

Cheers,
Allan