Chevrolet 1533X2 30-cwt trucks

[Simon Theobald]

I have been trying to track down the make and model of a truck in this picture and whilst most advice has been it is a Chevrolet 30cwt, I couldn't find pictures where the front end matched.....until coming across this forum. The man in the picture is my father who was part of REME when it was originally formed. He was part of 2ABW and I believe this was Egypt. So was this "Indian" reference to modifications made in India? I would like to make a scale model of one but the Tamiya one that is most common has a totally different grill and will need modifying somewhat. Any help appreciated!

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[Andrew H.]

Yes, that is definitely a Chevrolet "India pattern" truck. The parking lights on top of the headlights suggest it is a 1942-45 model (1941 models had them elsewhere). The curvature of the front mudguards suggest that it does not have the wider Timken axle. The grille is un-cut and the bumper is civilian-style, so probably not LRDG despite its sand-pattern tyres.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Simon Theobald

I would like to make a scale model of one but the Tamiya one that is most common has a totally different grill and will need modifying somewhat. Any help appreciated!

Attachment 114629

The Tamiya kit has the same grill with some bars missing otherwise it is the same as the truck in the photo.

[David Dunlop]

Great photo!

Anyone know what the front plate means and when/where they were used? First one I have seen.

David

[Ilian Filipov]

Originally Posted by cliff

The Tamiya kit has the same grill with some bars missing otherwise it is the same as the truck in the photo.

I'm in doubt this one is with 4B1 metal body fitted to LRDG trucks, looks wooden. Could be 1311X3 model used also in the desert (with marker lights on top of the headlights) but with untouched "waterfall" grille. The problem is that the Tamiya model is of 1533X2.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Ilian Filipov

I'm in doubt this one is with 4B1 metal body fitted to LRDG trucks, looks wooden. Could be 1311X3 model used also in the desert (with marker lights on top of the headlights) but with untouched "waterfall" grille. The problem is that the Tamiya model is of 1533X2.

The Tamiya front body panels are the same as the truck shown apart from missing some bars from the grill!

[Ilian Filipov]

Originally Posted by cliff

The Tamiya front body panels are the same as the truck shown apart from missing some bars from the grill!

Hi Cliff,
Yep, I know the front sheet metal was the same up to 1947 but this can't make the wrestling with Tamiya kit easier.
Cheers!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Simon Theobald

I have been trying to track down the make and model of a truck in this picture and whilst most advice has been it is a Chevrolet 30cwt, I couldn't find pictures where the front end matched.....until coming across this forum. The man in the picture is my father who was part of REME when it was originally formed. He was part of 2ABW and I believe this was Egypt. So was this "Indian" reference to modifications made in India? I would like to make a scale model of one but the Tamiya one that is most common has a totally different grill and will need modifying somewhat. Any help appreciated!

Hello Simon,

Thanks for joing us and bringing in such an interesting story.

The Chevrolet in the picture is definitely an "Indian Pattern" truck, which means it was a chassis/cowl (either with or without windscreen) exported to India where it was fitted with a wooden cab and basic angle-iron-and-wood GS cargo body. This is most likely a 3-ton truck, not a 30-cwt.

Check out the threads "Bombay Chev" and "Chevy Art deco 1942 (4x2)" for more information and pictures.

As suggested it is indeed not a 1533X2, which was built entirely in Canada for a specific demand from the LRDG.

[Simon Theobald]

Thanks Hanno its a great forum to have access to....I have gained more knowledge from the last few posts than in hours of googling! I have some great pics from my dad's war but not all Canadian obviously...although I believe this one is