Early chevrolet in desert war

[Ganmain Tony]

Are they 18 inch rims on that replica Desert Chev in the last picture?

If so, what are the tyre specifications and are they a tyre that is still available to purchase?

[serge]

The story of the early CHEVY used by French Free Forces in the raid on KOUFRA is not very well knowed but they have follow the same way than the MATFORD used by this same forces (MATFORD was the society resulting upon the buy by FORD of the French factory MATHIS). One year before the beginning of the war near 300 MATFORD were send in AFRICA (and I thing also with a batch of CHEVROLET). Some of them have civilian body (similar to American stack and plate-forme) and other with steel body more useful for raid. So I thing that these steel body were made in FRANCE before the arrival in AFRICA, then other modifications were done like the removal of the top of the cab. ALL these trucks (MATFORD) were ordened by french ministery of defense but about the CHEVROLET I dont know. Nevertheless I think that there were from civilian origin (dealers) because all trucks coming in FRANCE from américan origin following french military order GMC,STUDEBAKER K25 ..
own US military modification (like black out ....)

On all pictures of trucks coming from FRANCE and used in TCHAD by RTST (Régiment des Tirailleurs Sénégalais au Tchad) the wheels were made in two parts in the aim to receive sand tyres. Nevertheless they have only 5 nuts (instead of the 8 or 10 nuts of british trucks).
I join a picture of a MATFORD in “raid configuration” similar to Chevrolet and a picture of civilian MATFORD using civilian body with it wheels very accurate. A large opening has been done on the roof.

Regards Serge

[Kuno]

Serge; as far as I know, the IWM has the wreckage of a Chevrolet WA which was recovered from the desert of Egypt in the 1980ies. Do they also have a restored example of a WA now (as you say in your first post)?

[serge]

Hello KUNO

In my first post about early chevy in the desert war, I had only indicate that a french military vehicle Collector had builded a replica of the original CHEVROLET WA displayed at IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM. The replica use a civilian CHEVROLET truck and a body identical had been made. Also the fender of the civilian truck were enlarged and a new body was done.
I don't know the way used to install new wheels for sand tyres. Nevertheless the body is full of original jerrycan with a solar compas on the dash board and a rifle "BOY" not seen in the picture.
About the book of colunn LECLERC I have send to you a private email
Best regards Serge

[serge]

hello KUNO

After reading your post , I note that the replica is in France and not in the IWM.

[Kuno]

I would like to see a hoto of the sun-compass, please :-)

[Lynn Eades]

Here is a picture