1936 WD Trials cars mystery

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David_Hayward (RIP)

Note that it's the 13" wheeled version [judging by the wheels] M 371610, from the batch 371604 - 371613, V.3032, Chassis # 20/16788. It's been allocated to the Mechanical Engineering Establisment, Farnborough, Hampshire and was trialled in February 1936, along with the 16"-wheeled version as per photo. However it could be that the third photo is in fact when new [say February], and the first/second was taken in December 1936 at the Farnborough Trials that investigated the superior performance that the 13" wheels & tyres provided over the 16" tyre equipment. By then Rootes had found that that they had to improve the cooling, and the 1937 WD Report states that the tested Hawk proved acceptable after many more miles of off- and on-road trials. More on this in VINTAGE ROADSCENE issue 94 out next year.

A somewhat better photo of Hillman Hawk M 371610:

641.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

David would have loved to see this version of the Hillman Hawk. It is a bit of a mystery!


I found this photo and posted it in a facebook group: Hillman Hawk PU left behind in Dunkirk, June 1940.
10035460-8337363-The_town_of_Dunkirk_itself_was_significantly_damaged_in_the_figh-a-16_158996806.jpg
Source: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/galler...ars-tanks.html


Richard Payne added this photo from the French Ecpad archives.
It is a burnt out Hillman Hawk in the streets of Malo-les-Bains, France, after a German bombardment.
8644158_1_1.jpg
Source: https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/veh...les-bains.html


Hillman Hawk PU captured in Northern France, and put back into service by the German Army.
50001597957_44e36cd82b_o.jpg
Caption: “There are utility versions of the car. Very much the same as Humber produced Utilities based upon their larger models.
I have seen a few variations of the styling of this heavier utility and I have noted that some do badge it as a Commer.”
Source: Kevin on https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/43071-military-hillmans/