Wanted: British Sand Channels

[Robin Craig]

Phillipe,

I agree with Jack Neville. However, are the ones you show originals or reproductions?

I know my friend Peter Duggan with his Ford of Canada Lynx is lusting for sand channels and I honestly think if we can figure out the profile they can be made.

The ones you show are similar to others of that era and lack the diamon strengthening pieces that the Ferret ones have, with which I have more familiarity.

.

[Philippe Jeanneau]

Hello Jack/Robyn,

The ones shown in the photos above may be the closest to the original WWII British sand channels... For what I have seen of original photos (Attached) they're close; or rather seem to be spot on, so may be originals... But maybe someone with more knowledge on the subject can answer that...

I "borrowed" the photos from the net and know that the one person that may be able to answer our question or help with dimensions is Paul Lincoln from the UK... He has access to Mr. Knudsen's truck and could get the information...

In the meantime, we can just study some original photos and compare... Hope that, again there may be a strong interest by someone with the knowledge and resources to get some of these made since there seems to be enough interest out there...

[Philippe Jeanneau]

While looking for more information I came across this...

https://zerzura.me/long-range-desert-group/

And wonder if the sand channel would be for a smaller vehicle... Seems quite a bit narrower than one used for a 30 CWT truck...

[David Dunlop]

Based on the photos posted, Philippe, there are indeed two different sizes of wartime sand channels. The colourized photo shows the wide version. Note the large empty space on that set from the outer longitudinal edges of the channel and the outer rows of holes. Also where the upper edge stows and how the lower edge is situated below the top recess of the wheel well.

All other photos show a narrower channel with very little outer edge empty space and the channels when stowed, fit completely within the gap on the sides of the truck between the upper edge of the wheel well and the lower edge of the top reinforcing channel of the box.

Why there are two different versions is an interesting puzzle, but you at least now have proof they both exist and were both used in the same theatre, by the same type of vehicles. You are making progress.

David

[Philippe Jeanneau]

I couldn't agree more, there were many different size vehicles in the desert, so it would make sense that there would be different sizes available to correspond to their size and weight... Your observations are spot ot. There is no doubt there were different sizes available and finally we have proof... It is quite nice to see an original piece... A first!

[David Dunlop]

I would be inclined to err on the side of caution, Philippe.

All we know for certain, looking back at 75+ year old photos, is that two different size channels existed. Why, is very much still unknown. The other interesting thing here is that all these photos are of one type (weight class) of vehicle. That suggests both sizes could do the job for this one type of vehicle.

One possibility for this showing up could be the bigger channels came first. They worked but may have been heavy and difficult to work with. Or, smaller ones developed to save steel or costs.

What would be interesting at this point, would be to find photos of a different weight class of vehicle equipped with channels and see if two sizes show up there as well.

David

[Ed Storey]

Field Marshal Alexander's car in the Canadian War Museum has some mounted on the back and it may be possible for someone to get permission to photograph and measure them once the museum reopens to the public. This is an old photograph from 10 years ago so I am not sure where this vehicle is currently located within the Lebreton Gallery

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