CMP hatches: optional / added in service

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Not all CMPs had hatches added - they were optional after all:

Definitely; You see plenty of C60X's, F30 Ambulances.....maybe because they had less of a combat role......but you also see examples of front-line vehicles like C60L GS trucks without hatches and even LAATs. Maybe not C15A/F15A cab 13's....I don't think I recall seeing those without hatches.

But, is my memory playing tricks on me, or is there a second thread on this subject on MLU?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Definitely; You see plenty of C60X's, F30 Ambulances.....maybe because they had less of a combat role......but you also see examples of front-line vehicles like C60L GS trucks without hatches and even LAATs. Maybe not C15A/F15A cab 13's....I don't think I recall seeing those without hatches.

But, is my memory playing tricks on me, or is there a second thread on this subject on MLU?

I was looking for that, I also think we had a separate thread. But I could not find it so I posted it here. You and I touched on this subject here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...613#post201613

I wonder if fewer - or even none - hatches were fitted later during the war as the need for an observation hatch diminished when German air power played less and less of a role?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

On the subject of hatchless CMP roofs, once one starts looking for them in the Dutch archives you come across tons of them. These are all ex-Canadian Army, as used NW Europe during WW2:
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...617#post296617

AKL080905.jpg
https://beeldbank.nimh.nl/foto-s/det...b-1f67d6eae05e

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

You and I touched on this subject here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...613#post201613

Yes, that's the thread I had in mind!

Attached are two pictures of the Deelen dump. Plenty of 3Ton GS trucks without roof hatches. A lot of them indeed ended up in the Dutch army, but in the pictures they are still in Canadian markings.

Interesting theory Hanno about the late war link....but what about C60L APTs....didn't all of them have round roof hatches fitted? I also spot earlier production C60L's without roof hatches.

[Bob Carriere]

,,,,,, all of them had remained in Canada with no active service ....so they were fresh from the factory...... one could theorized that once air supremacy was attained hatches became a leaky eye sore.....

Bob