YelloW M37's

[chris vickery]

Here is a theory, just an observation.
Are we talking yellow, like real yellow or a mustard colour?
The reason that I ask is that I have seen cmp trucks and the odd jeep that you would swear were painted yellow. Old school enamel OD paint had a bad tendency to fade out really quickly losing the green pigment. Years of sun and acid rain does a number on any truck that has spent its whole life outdoors. Just an idea.

[super dave]

This M43 is Air force.

[Ewen B]

I also have been searching M37 type vehicles for the last little while and only have come across yellow vehicles in the USA. They sold cheap vehicles to fire departments, forestry service for wildland fire fighting, and to communities for civil Defence. I know a few Canadian trucks were purchased by fire departments and went through the same conversion, then of course Airport and Base fire departments may have had a few. I am wondering if Range Control had a few yellow trucks laying around. There are a few US web sites that even have documentation from companies who converted the 24V trucks to 12 V so that civilian lights, siren and radio systems could be added.

good luck with your searches...sorry I can't help.
Ewen

[Jason Graveline]

I came across a yellow M37 earlier this year parked in a commercial lot not far from the Saskatoon airport. The truck was SK-plated and had RCAF decals applied to the doors over a series of black-stencilled numbers.

Until 1964, RCAF Station Saskatoon was the home of 406 Sqn, 1AFS and CFS. And after the flying units were disbanded and relocated, the airport remained an aircraft storage depot until the late 70s. Given the airfield yellow colour and RCAF decals, we assumed that this M37 might have served locally until it was sold out of service.

[Ewen B]

I'll have to take a look next time I am in Saskatoon. Do you remember which lot near the airport?? Thanks Ewen

[Stan Leschert]

Range Control took whatever trucks they could get. Yellow body for safety, Black hood (the glare on a hot summer day really hurt), multi radios, and a siren if they could find one.

[Jason Graveline]

Originally Posted by Ewen B

I'll have to take a look next time I am in Saskatoon. Do you remember which lot near the airport?? Thanks Ewen

Hi Ewen,
It's been several months and not having much interest aside from curiosity, I didn't take specific note of the location. However some map recce suggests you should look in the vicinity of 41 St E at Ontario Ave. The lot was fenced, contained other vehicles and I distinctly remember seeing a fair number of UK phone booths.
Happy hunting!
Jason

[JD Baillie]

Super Dave,

Namao had an M43 just like the one in your pic. It was very well kept and stayed in service until 81 - ish. A member of 745 Comm Sqn purchased it when it went surplus.

But on the other hand two finds; an airforce M43 from an early tree line radar station and an M152 from Comox were painted blue.

Cheers
JD
M152