Parkes Radio Telescope CMP

ozm29c · #1 15-07-09, 03:13

Fellows,
I work for the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility (Narrabri) as a Cryogenics Officer and in my travels I came across this old warhorse at Parkes.
http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/
Speaking to the older members of our group it has been there a long time and I would hazard a guess that it was used in the construction of the telescope in the early 60's plus used as a crane truck until new HSE regulations sent it to the scrap heap.
Please see photos.
BTW it is definitely "NOT FOR SALE" otherwise I would have added it to my collection by now

Cheers
John Wilson

Bruce Parker (RIP) · #2 15-07-09, 03:55

What does the data plate in the fourth photo mean?

ozm29c · #3 15-07-09, 04:28

Sorry,
Photo is a bit blurry!!!!
here is what it says;

General Motors of Canada LTd
Oshawa Canada
Chassis model 8443
Cab Model WO 48
Chassis serial 2 8443 P00194
Engine Serial PR 3866621
Date of Manufacture 20 - 12 - 43

Hope this helps
Cheers
John Wilson

Mike Kelly · #4 15-07-09, 08:11

It still sports its old Commonwealth of A number plate .. A RED C followed by the numerals

Mike

Phil Waterman · #5 15-07-09, 15:22

Hi John

Interesting bit of CMP history, while not being for sale, the truck would have an interesting history if it ever is released and restored.

I enjoyed browsing around http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/ web site, interesting stuff. Whats the story on the fireworks display next to the Telescope dish.

My father did some work on the dish at the Navel Research Lab in Washington DC back in the 40s and 50s. That dish is in a strange location now as it is almost directly under the main approach path for National Air Port.

Keith Webb · #6 17-07-09, 13:54

Hi John

An interesting find. WO 48 was 'Truck, 3-ton Stores unbinned' for Armoured Div.

Rob Beale · #7 17-07-09, 23:07

Is this the location of the movie "The Dish"?

For those who haven't seen it, it is a great yarn about the Aussie contribution to the Moon Landing of Apollo 11. Well worth watching.

Sadly the CMP doesn't feature.

Rob

aj.lec · #8 18-07-09, 00:24

That is the site Rob

ozm29c · #9 18-07-09, 02:41

Keith,
Could you please expand on what a
'Truck, 3-ton Stores unbinned' for Armoured Div is please?
A photo would be great

Cheers
John
BTW For anyone who is in the vicinity of "The Dish" the weekend, they are having an open day.

Keith Webb · #10 18-07-09, 03:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozm29c

Keith,
Could you please expand on what a
'Truck, 3-ton Stores unbinned' for Armoured Div is please?
A photo would be great

Cheers
John
BTW For anyone who is in the vicinity of "The Dish" the weekend, they are having an open day.

Hi John

As far as I know it was a variation of the standard steel GS body. Sorry but I don't have a pic at this stage.

cliff · #11 18-07-09, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozm29c

Keith,
Could you please expand on what a
'Truck, 3-ton Stores unbinned' for Armoured Div is please?
A photo would be great

Cheers
John
BTW For anyone who is in the vicinity of "The Dish" the weekend, they are having an open day.

Photo one shows the basic 'UNBINNED" stores truck.
the rest show the rear body with bins installed.

Photos from the AWM and places unknown

Keith Webb · #12 18-07-09, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliff

Photo one shows the basic 'UNBINNED" stores truck.
the rest show the rear body with bins installed.

Photos from the AWM and places unknown

The first pic is a Canadian C60S. The last pic is I think more like it, based on the steel GS body on a C60L Chassis.

cliff · #13 18-07-09, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

The first pic is a Canadian C60S. The last pic is I think more like it, based on the steel GS body on a C60L Chassis.

OK didn't look when I posted the photo but the rear body set up with the wire cage would have been similar to the Aussie one.