Commer Q2: Truck, 15-cwt, 4x2, Van

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Davistine,

Thanks for that link. I’ve seen it before and I am somewhat confused about the total number of Q2 Vans built?

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Les Freathy found this on the net: Commer pre heating van

8829D320-48D3-4DCA-8A98-672D756F6D2D.jpeg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

More finds from the IWM archives:

"ROYAL AIR FORCE ARMY CO-OPERATION COMMAND, 1940-1943
© IWM (CH 17402)
Object description
A North American Mustang of No. 2 Squadron RAF, takes off from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, past a Commer Q2 mobile wireless van providing air to ground communications. To the left, a De Havilland Dragon Rapide communications aircraft is parked in on of the dispersals."
IWM (CH 17402).jpg

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA, 1939-1943.
© IWM (CNA 3978)
Object description
Operation TORCH: a mobile Homer Station at work on the airfield at Bone, Algeria, during the arrival of Supermarine Spitfire reinforcement aircraft, ferried from Gibraltar. The vehicle is a Commer Q2, fitted with an RVT 105 Signals body, housing single-channel VHF/DF radio equipment from which homing bearings and controlled descents were transmitted to the ferry pilots. In the background, Spitfire Mark Vs can be seen, undergoing preparation for onward flights to the forward units.
IWM (CNA 3978).jpg

[ted angus]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

More finds from the IWM archives:

Hi Hanno, the Sawbridgeworth photo is an Albion; The photo has been published many times with the wrong caption,
regards TED

[Hanno Spoelstra]

"ROYAL AIR FORCE ARMY CO-OPERATION COMMAND, 1940-1943
© IWM (CH 17402)
Object description
A North American Mustang of No. 2 Squadron RAF, takes off from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, past a Commer Q2 mobile wireless van providing air to ground communications. To the left, a De Havilland Dragon Rapide communications aircraft is parked in on of the dispersals."

Originally Posted by ted angus

Hi Hanno, the Sawbridgeworth photo is an Albion; The photo has been published many times with the wrong caption

Hello Ted,

Thanks for pointing that out. I was happy I found another photo of a Commer (as per the caption), I should have checked the picture more carefully.

Can you tell us which exact model this is? I could only find this picture you posted on HMVF.

Thanks,
Hanno

3BE5917A-25E6-4AA3-98E4-0A2B11CFCCAC.jpeg

[ted angus]

Its an Albion A.M.463 built for the Air Ministry from 1934 to 38. Most common versions were aircraft refueller, G.S. cargo and ambulance. Photos of the wireless body are quite rare. The pic I posted is a crop as the vehicle had a large container on top of the wireless body , possibly for carrying aerials.
regards TED

[Chaz]

Is there any known record of 40's Q chassis numbers and dates out there?
Also, what are the 15 Q3's in the Rootes wartime production list ?
I've got a Q2 and a Q3 (or the remains of) as a long term project and not quite sure yet which direction the rebuild will take.
I have done the usual Googleing and can't find much decent info on wartime Commers except this excellent thread ...

Cheers,

Charlie

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Ted, thanks for the info! Talk about a rare truck...

I will amend the caption later.

Regards, Hanno

Originally Posted by ted angus

Its an Albion A.M.463 built for the Air Ministry from 1934 to 38. Most common versions were aircraft refueller, G.S. cargo and ambulance. Photos of the wireless body are quite rare. The pic I posted is a crop as the vehicle had a large container on top of the wireless body , possibly for carrying aerials.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Les Freathy found this on the net: Commer pre heating van

From the IWM archives, another pre-heating van sporting a RAF roundel on the side:

ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945

IWM (CL 1783)

Object description
Ground crew of No. 3208 Servicing Commando, insert collapsible tubes from a pre-heating van into the air intake and radiator of a Hawker Typhoon Mark IB in the snow at B58/Melsbroek, Belgium. The tubes fed hot air into the Napier Sabre engines, which were notoriously difficult to start in wintry conditions, and required this treatment at regular intervals to maintain serviceability.
IWM (CL 1783).jpg