RAF vehicles

[Larry Hayward]

Often its what is in the background of a photo that catches my eye; in this case a CMP 3 tonner with what appears to be an RAF roundel on the rear tub.

315 Polish Sqn was in the 2nd TAF when it got Mustang IIIs in March 1944 so this dates the photo to the same time judging by lack of foliage on the trees.

The CMP could just be a passing 2nd TAF vehicle and not necessarily one used by the Sqn, but it is the first Canadian CMP I have seen as all the other photos of 2nd TAF tend to show only British trucks in the 3 tonner category.

[Keith Webb]

Not to mention a perfect example of a CMP 'in the background'.

[Larry Hayward]

Exactly - that's what I'm interested in. I still doubt they would have 'wasted' a CMP on the RAF for use in the UK, so I suspect its 2TAF waiting for D-Day!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Often its what is in the background of a photo that catches my eye; in this case a CMP 3 tonner with what appears to be an RAF roundel on the rear tub.

Here's a picture of a 60-cwt truck in camouflage scheme plus RAF roundels - never seen this before.

I was told the picture was taken in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Seems like school kids are taken for a ride?

H.

[Larry Hayward]

I like the way they have made sure everyone knows its RAF with all those roundels! Interesting camo on the side of the CMP too!

[ted angus]

The large roundal was the RAF's 2TAF air recognition marking- in that theatre of operations RAF vehicles rarely carried the star.
TED

[Jan Mostek]

I am not RAF fan, but I guess these two pictures were not shown over here. I have found them on UK Ebay by chance searching for something else.

[lynx42]

Jan, they are Morris Commercials. I think "D" types, built between 1932 and 1939.

Regards Rick

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by lynx42

Jan, they are Morris Commercials. I think "D" types, built between 1932 and 1939.

Regards Rick

I think the CD model was made in the 1920's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7Spkpjj0KU

[David Dunlop]

I cannot find the picture at the moment, but one of my Mum's cousin's in England served with the RAF in Northern India during the war at a base near Raulpindi, which I believe is now part of Pakistan. I have a picture of him sitting in a RAF Cab 13 Chev 15cwt with the roof removed.


David

[Rich Payne]

I can't read any markings on these but the crew seem to be RAF.

[Mike K]

Some scenes of RAF vehicles in colour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQAA2rcBno

[Larry Hayward]

Great film and not a blue RAF Jeep in sight (as they never had any in that colour on UK airfields or elsewhere for that matter in WW2)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some interesting pictures in Us Aircorps "Lightnings" - 1942.

[Richard Seymour]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Some scenes of RAF vehicles in colour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQAA2rcBno

Mmmm unable to view due to copyright

[Larry Hayward]

Les I know its been a while but in your post number 14, of the Ford Snowgo, what year was the photo taken?

I see it has black fenders which suggests post-war but so does the Fordson Sussex in post 26.

[Larry Hayward]

Can anyone ID this RAF panel van?

[Barry J. Cox]

Sure looks like my 1941 Ford Panel. Also looks like a Ford flathead engine.

[Larry Hayward]

Interestingly, this photo was taken in 1939 or very latest 1940, so I guess the van had a production run of a few years.

Its in RAF Blue-Grey, with gloss black fenders, which were a feature on their Fordson Sussex and other civi models. I wonder how they got away with that paint scheme, when every other manufacturer from 1937 had to paint the entire vehicle in RAF Blue-Grey?

Any idea of the exact model?

[Larry Hayward]

Here is another problem photo. This van is said to be a signals van and was shown in relation to a story of a Halifax that crashed in 1944, that was in need of some direction finding assistance but sadly crashed. The RAF Type number confirms it was taken after Type Numbers were introduced circa Jan 1944, and yet it has black front mudguards. So is this particular to a type of Ford van as in my previous post or perhaps the use of gloss black before it was ordered in 1946?

As for the colour it looks to be rather dull with traces of camo behind the passenger window, as if the roof is black or dark brown over SCC.2 brown - and yet the mudguards are left in gloss!

[George McKenzie]

I have to my knowledge the only 42 Fordson bomb hauler left with dual tires .A fellow that was in the RCAF brought to Canada after the war as a collector .I have the fuel trolley for it .It is painted light blue .Also have a 42 RCAF ford half ton pickup ,same color .In Canada a civilian could not buy a half ton ford truck during the war. ,only a 3/4 ton . Was there a different color between the RAF and the RCAF vehicles ?

[Larry Hayward]

Yes there was a difference in colours; presumably 'RAF Blue Grey' was permitted in Canada in WW2 but not the UK when it was gradually replaced with Army camo colours from 1939 to 1941 when the factories stopped using RAF Blue Grey. I guess any vehicle imported to Canada from the UK post-war would mean the vehicle had returned to RAF Blue Grey colours. As for my RAF Ford Van photos there is circumstantial evidence to suggest that they were delivered with gloss black mudguards and whatever camo was on the body, the mudguards stayed gloss black throughout WW2!

[Larry Hayward]

Obviously the Type number 1500 means this is not a Signals Van and this number was also used for an RAF Jeep, so its just a basic van.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Obviously the Type number 1500 means this is not a Signals Van and this number was also used for an RAF Jeep, so its just a basic van.

Larry,
According to Bruce Robertson's book, "Wheels of the RAF", the Type numbers were introcuced in early 1944. Type 1500 is shown as a '15 cwt van', so correct for the Ford van. But the jeep would have been Type 1900 which was allocated to '5 cwt 4x4 car'.

regards, Richard

[Larry Hayward]

Richard thanks - I noticed my error after posting and Type 1500 was used for 15cwts so was seen on Bedford MWs too.

[pauldavies]

my all time favourite RAF picture at RAF LLandwrog North Wales
Paul Davies

[Larry Hayward]

That is an interesting photo, though I think the Morris C4 is in fact a Humber. What is interesting is that the Humber Ambulance appears to have its cab roof coloured possibly with yellow or white. There are also stripes over the rear body roof too. Yet the Albion Ambulance in the background has a rather 1940-1941 style camo scheme!, as does the Austin Ambulance in front of it in my photo. It is hard to date this photo but 1943-45 is a good guess!

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

That is an interesting photo, though I think the Morris C4 is in fact a Humber. What is interesting is that the Humber Ambulance appears to have its cab roof coloured possibly with yellow or white. There are also stripes over the rear body roof too. Yet the Albion Ambulance in the background has a rather 1940-1941 style camo scheme!, as does the Austin Ambulance in front of it in my photo. It is hard to date this photo but 1943-45 is a good guess!

Larry,
I believe these photos are of the RAF Mountain Rescue teams, this all started at this aerodrome. Also the glimpse of a small ambulance in background on the right is a Morris 10cwt, think based on the Model Y van.
Check out the link below, it shows the same jeep and definitely MRS. This could be why the Humber's roof has the stripes on it so it could be seen from the air if aircraft were involed in a search as well as foot parties able to find it.
https://rafmountainrescue.com/our-history/

[Larry Hayward]

Yes I think you are right, a Morris Ambulance like this one I saw at War & Peace Revival a few years back.

Incidentally I spoke to the owner about the colour and he was adamant that it was built in spring 1941 and painted RAF Blue Grey at the factory. I have no reason to doubt him.

Kind Regards

Larry

[ted angus]

The location of the MR pics is at the Station's sick quarters, the Albion and Morris are not part of the MR team's vehicles hence all over cam . The Humber had yellow and black on the roof to make it visible to spotter planes whilst on shouts . I am sure I once read an article about that preserved Morris - I am sure it said the body was a re-creation to represent an RAF Morris domestic ambulance ?
Ted