West Aust. photo archive

Richard Coutts-Smith · #1 22-07-23, 09:58

Mike posted this pic earlier.
This was one of two Civilian Champ's involved in a major undertaking in Western Australia.
In January of 1954 the Surveyor General of Western Australia tasked John F Morgan with surveys, classification and topographical study of the virtually uninhabited North Kimberley Region in the far North of the state. (Some 15 000 square miles)
The list of equipment used for the 20 strong expedition:
Two Austin Champs (WN3) with trailers
Two Austin K9 30cwt 4x4 trucks
A GMC 6x6 and Willy’s Jeep and trailer supplied by the Australian Army
Bulldozer and grader with a 4x2 stores truck for road making
25 pack donkeys, 4 pack mules and 13 horses.
Portable 2way wireless units using the Royal Flying Doctor Service network where provided for communication between parties as well as the time signal needed for accurate surveying.
Supply was from the Avro Ansons belonging to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co who where then flying for the RFDS

In a National Geographic article (The last Horseback Explorer, March 10, 2010) John Morgan had this to say:
“Those Austin Champs were heavy and the dust would billow up through the cab and the driver would come out after a day’s drive absolutely choked and covered in dust.”

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...70_1.jpg?agree

Mike K · #2 23-07-23, 03:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Mike posted this pic earlier.
This was one of two Civilian Champ's involved in a major undertaking in Western Australia.
In January of 1954 the Surveyor General of Western Australia tasked John F Morgan with surveys, classification and topographical study of the virtually uninhabited North Kimberley Region in the far North of the state. (Some 15 000 square miles)
The list of equipment used for the 20 strong expedition:
Two Austin Champs (WN3) with trailers
Two Austin K9 30cwt 4x4 trucks
A GMC 6x6 and Willy’s Jeep and trailer supplied by the Australian Army
Bulldozer and grader with a 4x2 stores truck for road making
25 pack donkeys, 4 pack mules and 13 horses.
Portable 2way wireless units using the Royal Flying Doctor Service network where provided for communication between parties as well as the time signal needed for accurate surveying.
Supply was from the Avro Ansons belonging to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co who where then flying for the RFDS

In a National Geographic article (The last Horseback Explorer, March 10, 2010) John Morgan had this to say:
“Those Austin Champs were heavy and the dust would billow up through the cab and the driver would come out after a day’s drive absolutely choked and covered in dust.”

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...70_1.jpg?agree

There is a story behind each of these pics and thanks for filling in the details of the 1954 expedition .

Mike K · #3 27-07-23, 11:47

RAAF Jeep. A early jeep with solid rims and the square fuel tank well. Likely it is a slatt grill MB.

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b4064818_21

First stretcher case of a wounded soldier from the war entering the new Hollywood Military Hospital, 4 December 1941 [picture]
Photograph | 1941.
https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2399004_1.jpg

V.A.D. demonstration at Gloucester Park, 25 May 1941 [picture]
Photograph | 1941.
https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2387794_1.jpg

86. I.O. Duncan returned to farm in 1946. Motorbike is 1940-43 Indian Scout
https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b3523166_26

Soldiers thumbing a lift from approaching vehicle
041280PD: Soldiers thumbing a lift, 1942?
https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2384582_1.jpg

Search Catalogue

A.W.A.S. and W.A.A.A.F.S. marching in Perth, 6 November 1942
226624PD: A.W.A.S. and W.A.A.A.F.S. marching in Perth, 6 November 1942
https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...2380838_10.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2380838_9.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2387938_3.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2813154_1.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2813154_2.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2784621_1.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b2784621_4.jpg

Mike K · #4 28-07-23, 13:24

Mike K · #5 01-08-23, 06:13

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b6764690_5.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b6764690_7.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...6764690_10.jpg

Champ

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b4729341_1.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b4729341_1

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b1991223_1.jpg

Mike K · #6 16-02-25, 03:19

Is this a Japanese staff car ?

Answer: The car is a Nissan model 70, basically, a clone of the U.S. Graham-Paige sedan.

From wiki:
When Nissan started to assemble larger vehicles under the "Nissan" brand in 1937, much of the design plans and plant facilities were supplied by the Graham-Paige Company.[21] Nissan also had a Graham license under which passenger cars, buses, and trucks were made.[25]

More from the Toyota museum:
Under the 1936 Automotive Manufacturing Industries Law, which was designed to protect and promote the domestic automobile industry, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. acquired design plans and production facilities for large passenger cars from Graham-Paige of the United States, starting production and sale of the Nissan Type 70 passenger car in 1937. Although only sedans were available at first, a phaeton model displayed here was added to the lineup later on, with some 5,500 units produced in total.

https://collectionswa.net.au/items/a...f-01b9f57b51ee

And, a 1941 Buick car in civilian livery. Staff car maybe ?

https://collectionswa.net.au/items/f...5-09797e9f7da7

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