Chev 6 Seater Utility

[Ganmain Tony]

I thought it might have been a town even closer than Ceduna Wayne

Bloody shame its such a long distance. That is a superb looking project.

Following the thread with much interest.

Have a 2C1 box kindly given to me by Keith.

[Wayne Henderson]

This is the rear section, 2 crew seats, spare wheel compartment and side lockers. None of the original timbers survived so I worked off the photos I had. The top section lifts off if required.

[Wayne Henderson]

The folding bench seats. The front and rear seats fold flat to make a wide bed. Adjustable leather straps hold the saet backs in place.
The original front seat was complete but The rear base was missing. I made new frames copied from the originals. The original hinges and strapping brackets were all in good condition and also used. There is a map reading light in the rear of the front seat. I will use a light from an late 1930's Chev as I have no idea what the original was or looked like (just a wire and a hole in the frame as can be seen in the photo).

[Wayne Henderson]

The utility carried a Thompson MG, 2 303 Rifles and a Bren MG.

Like the Ford FAT the Thompson was stowed in front on the passengers side.
The utility also has clips on the roof to stow the Thompson.

The rifles are mounted left rear seat by the door and the Bren is opposite the 9 or 11 set radio.

There are mounts for the Bren on both sides, rear and 4 positions on the roof rear hatch. Still have not been able to id the Bren mount that slide into these clips so I will convert a carrier mount to fit.

[Keith Webb]

Not something you see every day - really interesting pics Wayne.

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

The utility carried a Thompson MG, 2 303 Rifles and a Bren MG.

Like the Ford FAT the Thompson was stowed in front on the passengers side.
The utility also has clips on the roof to stow the Thompson.

The rifles are mounted left rear seat by the door and the Bren is opposite the 9 or 11 set radio.

There are mounts for the Bren on both sides, rear and 4 positions on the roof rear hatch. Still have not been able to id the Bren mount that slide into these clips so I will convert a carrier mount to fit.

[Mike Cecil]

Nice job, Wayne: always liked the 6-seater, and you are doing a magnificent job of the restoration. Thought you might enjoy the following extract from a report done in Feb 1944 in New Guinea. The report included a section on vehicle performance of each of the types in use at that time. The following was written about the Truck, 6 seater:

'This vehicle is disliked on account of the chassis and the extreme discomfort. It is suggested that a more useful vehicle is either the Cars, 6 seater, Utility or conventional 12 or 15 cwt utility, as by the time the Trucks, Utility etc are put into operation, road surfaces are sufficiently good for the conventional 4x2 vehicle to operate.'

Still, I've no doubt it is no worse a ride than the 4x2 or 4x4 15cwt CMP - probably even better given the body weight that should in theory make the springs work a bit harder. Nevertheless, there is no sugarcoating what the troops thought of them way back in 1944 in NG!

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

Uncomfortable!, maybe the Officer's Gin tipped over

Hi Mike, most of the complaints would have been from the last two crew members who sat on wood seats hinged to the wood floor and a radio to bash their heads on at every bump.
I am thinking there may be a bit of side ways body roll that would also add to the complaints.
The truck would be no worse than a C15 on NG roads but I'll find out soon when it gets going around the bush over here.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Nevertheless, there is no sugarcoating what the troops thought of them way back in 1944 in NG!

One wonders how many 4x2 rated roads there were in PNG during the war . Could you drive anywhere more than 50km out of Port Morseby in any direction ?

Even today, there isn't a road across the Owen Stanley range and probably never will be unless somebody manages to bulldoze whole mountain tops .

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

The utility carried a Thompson MG, 2 303 Rifles and a Bren MG.

Like the Ford FAT the Thompson was stowed in front on the passengers side.
The utility also has clips on the roof to stow the Thompson.

The rifles are mounted left rear seat by the door and the Bren is opposite the 9 or 11 set radio.

There are mounts for the Bren on both sides, rear and 4 positions on the roof rear hatch. Still have not been able to id the Bren mount that slide into these clips so I will convert a carrier mount to fit.

Oh my, Thompson at the ready on the roof, plenty of firing positions for the Bren - looks like they had fantasies about a "Blitz Battle Wagon"

All kidding aside, I like your project!

[Mike Cecil]

A well armed truck indeed, and with a body designed to stop the incoming .... not!

The listed use included recon, so maybe the Army had thoughts of all- round self defence during recon missions?? Big, bulky and slow for a recon mission - a jeep would be much better, I should think.

The SMG mount on the roof was supposed to be a universal mount to fit either the TSMG or the (by then) more common OMC. It is listed simply as a 'Mount, SMG' without specifying the type.

Wayne, have you been collecting all the items on the Vehicle Outfit List (VOL) to equip the truck? It will look even more snappy with all the kit aboard.

Mike

[motto (RIP)]

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David