Chevrolet 1311X3 15-cwt 4x2 GS truck

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

...from Hanno...

NOT a "pure" LRDG but still very interesting.

Although an Indian pattern with wooden bench seats it does depict a special purpose truck for wide open country....

Some observations...

Flat cowl 1938 or 39 Chev truck probably a 3/4 ton model.....

Nice areo wind screens.
No modification done to the front fenders.
Interesting 6 nut wheels with an additional (x)series of nuts to hold the two part rim together.
Wheel/tires look like they may be 13 inches...?
No visible water expansion tank.
Right Hand Drive.
Cargo box looks very similar construction to the truck on display in the London museum....also looks like wood boards on the box sides....

Here's another pic of one of those 15-cwt Chevrolets with Indian Pattern wooden body. It accompanies two 1533X2 30-cwt trucks, so it seems these were used by the LRDG. "Pure" enough for you?

"Object description: Three Long Range Desert Group 30-cwt Chevrolet trucks, surrounded by desert.
Label: LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) Chevrolet 30-cwt trucks, 25 May 1942."

IWM E 12385.jpg

IWM (E 12385)_cropped.jpg IWM (E 12385)_cropped 2.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205196758

[Hanno Spoelstra]

"Object description: General George Patton, C-in-C of the American 7th Army, and General Władysław Anders watching the Carpathian Lancers Regiment exercising, using a M3 Scout Car as a stand (in the background). In the foreground Polish and American officers posing together for a souvenir photograph on the top of a Chevrolet WB 30 cwt truck.. Photograph taken during General Patton's official visit to the 2nd Polish Corps at Qassasin in Egypt."

large_E_027118_1.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205234840

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

"Object description: General George Patton, C-in-C of the American 7th Army, and General Władysław Anders watching the Carpathian Lancers Regiment exercising, using a M3 Scout Car as a stand (in the background). In the foreground Polish and American officers posing together for a souvenir photograph on the top of a Chevrolet WB 30 cwt truck.. Photograph taken during General Patton's official visit to the 2nd Polish Corps at Qassasin in Egypt."

Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205234840

Here's a better scan of the same picture.

Going by Mike's description, this is a 1940 model. Note the bonnet is marked with "TOBRUK 1941" ans its registation number "395011"

95714107_1577740775740439_4399411417350930432_o.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

One more:

"TOBRUK, LIBYA. 1941-10. NX23 MAJOR D.A. CORMACK, 2ND-IN-CHARGE HQ, 9TH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION SIGNALS STANDING BESIDE AN ARMY VEHICLE."

AWM 020874 3951786.JPG

Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C5227

[Bob Carriere]

....seems to be sitting on Firestone tires with no modifications to the front fenders......


Thanks Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Here's another pic of one of those 15-cwt Chevrolets with Indian Pattern wooden body. It accompanies two 1533X2 30-cwt trucks, so it seems these were used by the LRDG. "Pure" enough for you?

A further search yielded these were Chevrolet 1311X3 15-cwt 4x2 GS truck (1/2-ton 115" W.B., adapted from the civilian Chevy AK model; X3 = CKD for India). These were used by the LRDG - see the quotes below.

Originally Posted by paul Lincoln

Vehicles seen in photos with wooden bodies were 1311 15cwt trucks used by patrol commanders, medics etc.

Originally Posted by David_Hayward (RIP)

d) I may well be wrong in assuming that the 3-tonners delivered to Egypt under S/M 2005 weer Chassis with cab 1543 Models. I assumed that they were the same as CC60L because of the civilian versions registered in the UK. I can now see the logic in delivering at least the 1940 Models as Model 1541 flat-faced cowl for local bodying and cabs. That said the LRDG 1941 Models included some 1311 1/2 ton 115" chassis with flat-face cowl [as per 1311X3 to India] plus "200" 1533 134 1/2" w.b. chassis with cabs, delivered minus cabs and modified grilles!

Originally Posted by David_Hayward (RIP)

Known other Chevrolet MCP trucks include 1/2 ton 115" wheelbase Model 1311X3 for India (and alsdo some for the LRDG), 1421 1-ton chassis with flat-face cowl 125" wheelbase, 1531 2-ton 134 1/2" wheelbase chassis with cab including 200 1533x2 for the LRDG.

From Bart Vanderveen: Truck, 15-cwt, 4x2, GS (Indian), (Chevrolet 1311X3).
6 cyl., 78 bhp, 3F1R, wb 113-1/2 in., 3192 lb.
Troop Carrier based on Canadian-built 1939 (and later) 1/2-ton commercial chassis. Used in Egypt and North Africa by British Indian Army and LRDG. 9.00-13 sand tyres.

chevindia_BVV.jpg