MLU FORUM  

Go Back   MLU FORUM > MILITARY VEHICLES > The Softskin Forum

Notices

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #10  
Old 12-03-12, 17:08
David_Hayward (RIP)'s Avatar
David_Hayward (RIP) David_Hayward (RIP) is offline
former Resident Historian
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The New Forest, England
Posts: 3,841
Default Reply

I cannot dare hope that the original engine is still there....the engine # was the serial # as you know. I might just have the sheet for '39 as well as '40 detailing which month the engine was built in. Also, was it a truck unit or a Mercury unit, as per production CMPs.

These trucks were not 'prototypes' since there really was just the two: the 1937 15-cwt 4x2 one-offs. These wer5e officially referred to as 'Pilot Models' in the papers. The Ford was built in the Pilot Bay at Windsor. This is what we know:

Quote:
On 25 July, Swallow sent the complete registration form for the truck, and mentioned that the truck was in the paint shop at that time. Delivery would be as soon as possible.[1] The Ford truck was registered as a “FORD”, 1937 manufactured [registered with a 1937 Ontario dealer plate, 856-M] Serial Number C-4800, Engine Number C-4800, with a “box” body, single rear wheels, 4300 lb. empty weight and 7,800 lb. Gross Load. The Manufacturer’s Model Number was “79”. The Series 78 was the 30 h.p. 221 cu. in. capacity L-head V-8, and it assumed that the engine was the 1937 Model truck engine: 1937 30 h.p. car engines/serials started at No. A-1, and the 22 h.p. series D-1. The Chevrolet truck incidentally had serial number 7151107427 Engine number T88,396 and was a Model 16-40S “CHASSIS WITH COWL”, with the “S” suffix denoting “Special” chassis.[2] The “7”indicated 1937 Model Year, and Model Number 1511, the “7427” indicating that it was the 7,426th truck built in Oshawa Plant in 1937 Model Year. This requires explanation: The whole truck was a Model 1640, which was a 1½-ton chassis, 131½-in. wheelbase, and the “1151”indicates a combination of the chassis model 1511, and the model 1540 Cowl, without a cab. This standard chassis was then shortened to suit, but although rated at 15-cwt., or ¾-ton, was based on a chassis suitable for double the weight![3] A note from a Lieutenant R. Henderson confirms my assessment: the chassis and engine were “standard 1½ to 2-ton Chevrolet” with a special War Office pattern G.S. body. The tyres were balloon type all round and were of the War Office type.[4] The Chassis Weight with water, fuel and oil including cab was: Front End: 2,475 lb.; Rear End 1535 lb.; Total 4010 lb. The Chassis Weight as before but with body was 2,500 lb.; 2,260 lb., and 4,760 lb., respectively. Left hand turning circle was 44 feet and the Right hand was 45 feet.[5]Both Ford and Chevrolet trucks were registered in Ontario, by the D.N.D. Mechanical Transport department, 268 Sparks Street, Ottawa. However, as of 5 August, the Ford truck was still in the paint shop and it was expected that it would be complete and available for delivery on 11 August.[6]

[1] 23 July 1937: Swallow to LaFleche, LaFleche to Ford, File H.Q. 38-72-335, ibid.

[2] Per File H.Q. 38-72-334, ibid.

[3] 27 July 1937: Letter: Kirkhope to Colonel E.W. MacDonald, D.N.D., File H.Q. 38-72-334 and –335, ibid.

[4] 3 August 1937: Memorandum: Henderson, for D. of S.&.T. to C.M.T.S., File H.Q. 38-72-334 and –335, ibid.

[5] 18 August 1974: Letter: Armstrong to LaFleche, File H.Q. 38-72-334 and –335, ibid.

[6] 5 August 1937: Ford Service Dept. to D.N.D., File H.Q. 38-72-335, ibid.

There then followed the Ford-Scammell and Chevrolet-Scammell FATs with 6x4 drive, then the 51 Chevroelt 1938 GS trucks, and finally the 40 [?] Ford GS trucks.
Reply With Quote
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +2. The time now is 19:32.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Maple Leaf Up, 2003-2016