Sexton GPO project

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Would the War Department number start with CT for Tanks and Carriers versus S for Self-Propelled Gun?

Terry, the "T" prefix on this GPO is indeed a bit "surprising" (This was also noticed by KevinT on the WW2talk), as the normal prefix for a Sexton would be CS or S. Most likely the prefix "T" was used as this Sexton GPO has no gun, and was therefor marked as a "normal" tracked vehicle.

I can't see a star or a Bridge classification on "Darling".....and the paintwork looks really neat. It could be that the vehicle was repainted for the parade in 1945, painting over the bridge classification.....or that it was only just put into service and the marking was never applied????

Two other GPO's pictured in Goor in 1945, also don't seem to show a Bridge classification (ref. http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...858#post269858).
Screenshot_2020-05-10 https openatlantis mijnstadmijndorp nl(18).jpg Screenshot_2020-05-10 https openatlantis mijnstadmijndorp nl(21).jpg

Pictures from this thread: https://ww2talk.com/index.php?thread...-sp-rca.35244/

These threads are also interesting regarding 23rd Field artillery:
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6168
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...d.php?p=100364
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...324#post272324

And this one on WW2talk:
https://ww2talk.com/index.php?thread...-sp-rca.35244/

And Bryans movies on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...4903B6AEF316A8

[Alex van de Wetering]

Also posted here on the forum is a nice picture of A troop :

6641_original.jpg

from this thread: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...654#post275654

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks all for the extensive info!

I will ask Roy for a recent photo of his Sexton GPO project.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Terry, the "T" prefix on this GPO is indeed a bit "surprising" (This was also noticed by KevinT on the WW2talk), as the normal prefix for a Sexton would be CS or S. Most likely the prefix "T" was used as this Sexton GPO has no gun, and was therefor marked as a "normal" tracked vehicle.

.....

As I started my posting, I'm reading one source. The author has a little table of letter prefixes and their application. As we know, not every publication is correct and end-to-end consistent. A tracked armoured observation vehicle is neither fish or fowl.

A Ambulance
C Motorbike
F Heavy Engineering Vehicle
H Armoured Car
H Tractor or articulated lorry
L Lorry over one ton
M Light Car, ie Jeep
P Amphibious Vehicle
S Self Propelled Gun
T Tank or Bren Carrier (his spelling and model name choice)
V Van (RASC)
X Vehicle towing a lorry
Z Small lorry

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

As I started my posting, I'm reading one source. The author has a little table of letter prefixes and their application. As we know, not every publication is correct and end-to-end consistent. A tracked armoured observation vehicle is neither fish or fowl.

A Ambulance
C Motorbike
F Heavy Engineering Vehicle
H Armoured Car
H Tractor or articulated lorry
L Lorry over one ton
M Light Car, ie Jeep
P Amphibious Vehicle
S Self Propelled Gun
T Tank or Bren Carrier (his spelling and model name choice)
V Van (RASC)
X Vehicle towing a lorry
Z Small lorry

This is the correct list of letter prefixes identifying the type of vehicle (source):

CA Ambulance
CM Car (staff car, jeep, etc.)
CC Motorcycle
CS Self-Propelled Gun
CF Armoured Car or Scout Car
CT Universal Carrier or Tank
CH Tractors (ie Artillery tractors)
CX Trailers of all types
CL Lorry (30 cwt or heavier)
CZ Truck (15 cwt and smaller)

So it makes sense that the Sexton GPO, as an tracked armoured vehicle, had a (C)T number.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

“Darling” is coming along nicely

IMG_7971.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

“Darling” is coming along nicely

Attachment 139179

Excellent! Good to see a picture of the progress.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Aalderson's Sexton GPO at the Camp Nijverdal event, May 2025. It is finished in the markings of a GPO named “DARLING” of D Troop, 36th Battery, Canadian 23rd Field Regiment, 4th Canadian Division.

A sort of "then & now" with the original photo which was the inspiration for Roy's GPO.

497700085_1098078865685020_4953560758737714019_n.jpg 100082759_3010847952327502_1707282459739029504_o.jpg
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...98080449018195

PS: existing threads on this GPO now merged