LRDG Chevrolet 1533X2 Aero-screens

[Charlie Down]

The majority, that are clear enough to identify, are very similar, if not identical to the Morris CS4 aero-screens. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other makes, but in most photo's the quality is too poor to get a positive ID on the origins of the aero-screens. The Bedford Aero-screens look like they could also be an alternative with possible examples attached. Looking at the details they would be easy to fix to the wooden dash surround.
Photo credit to Jack Neville - http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...-screen&page=2

[Charlie Down]

I've been looking through my images of various LRDG trucks and need to correct a previous assumption that the Ford F30's didn't have Aero-screens. There are numerous photos of them fitted, however apart from an image of an aero-screen fitted with a square piece of glass, there are no details in the photo's that really help with identifying the make of any of the aero-screens. Someone else might have images that could add to the discussion, though.

[Tony Smith]

Rather than being special part unique to a particular Morris military vehicle, is there a possibility that the screens are off-the-shelf item from a aeroscreen manufacturer?

There are any number of pre-war British touring cars that used aeroscreens for their vehicles (Alvis, MG, Riley, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Bentley, just to name a few). Did each marque design their own unique screen, or was there a specialist supplier who offered these items to the various makers as Original Equipment?

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Rather than being special part unique to a particular Morris military vehicle, is there a possibility that the screens are off-the-shelf item from a aeroscreen manufacturer?

There are any number of pre-war British touring cars that used aeroscreens for their vehicles (Alvis, MG, Riley, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Bentley, just to name a few). Did each marque design their own unique screen, or was there a specialist supplier who offered these items to the various makers as Original Equipment?

Found this https://www.s-v-c.co.uk/category/aeroscreens/

https://www.completeautomobilist.com...wind-deflector

The generic MG style screens look to be smaller than what we are discussing.

[Charlie Down]

Interesting idea.
The original Chevrolet WA trucks were sourced from the GM dealership in Alexandria and the Egyptian Army, and the first patrol was sent out just 6 weeks after its approval for formation. So it seems unlikely that they could source aeroscreens from the UK in that time frame. They were very probably sourced in Egypt from British stock, or possibly Egyptian Army, from derelict/redundant trucks or spares in my opinion. Possibly from Egyptian civilian car dealerships, but I think that is unlikely bearing in mind how much most of them resemble the aeroscreens fitted to British Army Morris, and possibly, Bedford trucks. Aeroscreens from other trucks are a possibility, and most likely, but I haven't seen clear enough photos, or frankly, have the knowledge to identify other makes of aeroscreens.

At this point I would summarise the discussion so far, and say that a significant number, if not the majority, of aeroscreens seen on all LRDG trucks were of the same type used on Morris CS4 trucks, and that other designs and styles of aeroscreens from different trucks were most likely used, but have yet to be positively identified.

[Charlie Down]

Here are my interpretations of the dimensions of the aeroscreens and brackets. I'm hoping that Grant and/or Mike can confirm the dimensions, especially of the brackets, which are 'scaled' and 'guesstimated'.
The wing nuts looks too big in the drawing and would foul the sides of the aeroscreen, but that is how they are shown in the photos.
The brackets are screwed to the vertical wooden dashboard surround on the 1533X2 trucks with both flat face and curved face seen against the wood surface. Most photos show the curved face against the wood.

[Mike K]

The hinge dimensions on your drawing look to be pretty darn close to the correct dimensions. I will try to measure the original hinge soon, using my chinesium digital calipers

[Charlie Down]

Thanks Mike
That will be really useful.