15-cwt vs 30-cwt Wireless CMP

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I think you've nailed it. The pics are clearly of a 134" wheel base 30cwt. The question is what's inside. I expect a W/T 43 set.

[rob love]

There was a gap between the signals box on the 30cwt and the cab....just wide enough (14 inches) for the spare tire to be housed there. You can see in the photo a slight extension from the step to the tool box. The tool box is also the larger 3 ton style as opposed to the 15cwt style which had a locking bar across the front.



From what little the Design Branch records talks about on these, the 3-J-1 box was merely the 15cwt box with the extra 18 inches essentially spliced into the box, so that the interior fitments did not have to be changed.



Reports form the field indicated the sigs preferred the 15cwt short wheelbase, and asked for that length of vehicle with the spare relocated elsewhere, which was accomplished by moving the tire into the left side panel of the box (2-G-2 body).


The link you gave to the rc sigs site ID's it as a 30cwt 3-J-1.

[Joe C]

Thanks all for the input.

Rob, yes, the site I linked to labelled it as 3J1 but it's my site... I had previously had it as a 15-cwt but then changed my mind. As I was going against published 'truth', I was seeking confirmation. In Canadian Army Overseas Routine Order 2872, dated 11 December 1942, the 30-cwt wireless is marked as 'obsolete' so what you say makes sense.

The hunt for period photos and the interior layout/equipment continues!