15-cwt office truck in the desert

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Vic Eaton sent me pictures recently of a C15 in the North African desert.
Although it's resolution is not great, you can see a frame fitted to the side of the canopy and rolls of canvas on top:



I recalled seeing this frame on 15-cwt truck before, and today I happened to come across a picture depicting the use of this frame.
It looks it was used to attach an office tent to the (possibly both) side(s) of the truck:


Caption: A CMP Chevrolet truck in use by AFPU cameramen in the Western Desert, 28 April 1942

Question: Does anyone know more about this variant?

Thanks!

[Ilian Filipov]

On the left picture of Vic it is C15 but on the right the truck is F15, Z1326805 on the IWM picture (Cat. No. E 11097) is also Ford. Indeed, in the caption there it is Chevrolet.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks Ilian, this proves both C15's and F15's were converted and it is not a one-off office variant cobbled together in the field.

Like I said, I have seen pictures of these trucks with the tubular frame hanging off the side before, will try to find them.

[David Dunlop]

The Chev is pulling a trailer. Could these have been Wireless Trucks with early pattern Penthouses?

David

[Ilian Filipov]

Would it be safe to say the bodies were 2C2?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

The Chev is pulling a trailer. Could these have been Wireless Trucks with early pattern Penthouses?

That's what I thought, but not necessarily for wireless use only: the caption above refers to it being in use by AFPU cameramen.

We know there was a HUP with penthouse - see below.

So the idea developed earlier on during the war may have been the trigger to develop the penthouse. Note how the canvas was rolled up on the roof when not in use. The version depicted below used tent poles to keep the penthouse upright. The one pictured at the top of this thread had a tubular frame plus poles.

Originally Posted by cliff

The penthouse is a lean-to canvas awning making more office space as shown in the first photo attached to a HUP.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ilian Filipov

Would it be safe to say the bodies were 2C2?

Thanks, good tip. But the one at the top of this thread has a 2B1 body, the same as the one depicted below. AFAIK, the 2B1 was not produced as an office variant, like the 2C2 you listed.

So the subject body may have been an in-theatre conversion, though not a one-off. As this filled an obvious need, this was later taken in production as a factory-fitted office body like the 2C2.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

An Australian Army version:

Chevrolet 15cwt signals office (AUST) No 1

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

An Australian Army version:

Chevrolet 15cwt signals office (AUST) No 1

Attachment 83681

The original of that airbrushed photograph was taken in Melbourne at Wesley Grammar, taken over for the duration by the Army. New types were taken there to be photographed for the various publications.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

The original of that airbrushed photograph was taken in Melbourne at Wesley Grammar, taken over for the duration by the Army. New types were taken there to be photographed for the various publications.

I got this photograph from Les Freathy. Do you have access to any other of these official photographs - I reckon they were used for manuals etc.?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

I recalled seeing this frame on 15-cwt truck before, and today I happend to come across a picture depicting the use of this frame.

Here's another picture. Note the frame fitted to the side of the tilt and the penthouse canvas rolled up on top.

[Keith Webb]

The mine damaged F15 is not an Aust pattern rear body, looks more like a Canadian 1C1 type. But I agree it's the same configuration.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

The mine damaged F15 is not an Aust pattern rear body, looks more like a Canadian 1C1 type. But I agree it's the same configuration.

Thanks for the confirmation re. the office configuration.

The body is a 2B1 GS, though:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ilian Filipov

Z1326805 on the IWM picture (Cat. No. E 11097) is also Ford.

Downloaded & cropped the file from the IWM site: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205203770
"Object description: A CMP Chevrolet truck in use by AFPU cameramen in the Western Desert, 28 April 1942."

As Ilian said, it is not a Chevrolet but a Ford F15 with WD census number Z1326805.

Note that it has sand channels fitted on top of the roof, just behind the hatch.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Note the frame fitted to the side of the tilt and the penthouse canvas rolled up on top.

Here's a larger print of the same picture of this F15.

Note the wooden planking on top of the tilt, the air recognition roundel and sun compass bracket on the roof.

Have a look at the extensive mine damage - I reckon the driver did not survive the blast, albeit not without grave injuries...

[Ian Fawbert]

My old F15A (ex Ken Hughes yard) which was sold back to Qld (Richard, he is a member here on MLU) was an office body according to its ARN.

I shall try to find and post the information I got when searching the Australian National Archives on the Office Body types.

From memory, there was a 1 and 2 version to the 15cwt, and (for lack of comparison), I might recall correctly a difference between the F15, F15A and F60.

In original fitment of canvas, it would have made for a great rally/camping vehicle!!!

Ian.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

An Australian Army version:

Chevrolet 15cwt signals office (AUST) No 1

Attachment 83681

I'll bet it never looked so taut and tidy like that in the field.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A Company Office in the Desert

HQ of an Indian Army infantry battalion complete with mascot.

This photo appeared in the 9 November, 1940 issue of The Sphere.


Source: https://flic.kr/p/8FNcLA

[Alex van de Wetering]

Thanks for posting Hanno! That appears to be the canopy of an 8cwt.

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Thanks for posting Hanno! That appears to be the canopy of an 8cwt

Indeed it is Alex. But is it off a British or Canadian truck?

[Alex van de Wetering]

Indeed it is Alex. But is it off a British or Canadian truck?

British....you can see the round tube on the inside of the canopy, at the lower edge of the frame. The British frame has a round tube that secures the frame to the body...the Canadian uses a U-shaped sheet metal section.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

British....you can see the round tube on the inside of the canopy, at the lower edge of the frame. The British frame has a round tube that secures the frame to the body...the Canadian uses a U-shaped sheet metal section.

I bow to your knowledge....

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mariano found a new picture in the IWM database:

THE ARMY FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHIC UNIT
A Section Leader improvises a bath in the Desert.
30-04-1942

Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205551697

[Hanno Spoelstra]

“Drivers prepare a meal outside a Section Leader's tent.”


Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205551696