Singapore Volunteer Corps MCC

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Any idea which model this '36 Morris-Commercial is please? I wonder if it survived to be captured?

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have photos of two version sof these and would be interested to know the model as well! Looks like a 30-cwt at least.

[nuyt]

David, do you have more info on the Singapore Volunteers?

Kind regards,
NUyt

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

http://www.regiments.org/regiments/e...il/inf/svc.htm

A quick search suggests that the Singapore Volunteer Corps was the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Corps, Singapore Fortress under Malaya Command HQ Singapore. This is the only photo I have from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, but I wonder if there any in this IWM collection:

http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/dbt...&BG=0&FG=0&QS=

I also found this interesting photo

[nuyt]

I wasn't clear enough and meant vehicle pics....!

Cheers,
Nuyt

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
I have photos of two version sof these and would be interested to know the model as well! Looks like a 30-cwt at least.

David,

This looks to be a MCC Leader, they were initially in 3 and 3.5 tons, then later a 4 tonner. I would say the Irish flatbed shown, is a 3 tonner,...at least.

Richard

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

That's what I suspected Richard: here are details of Leaders that I have from the WD Trials in 1936:

Type C.S.10/80

This was a standard 10 ft 6 ins-wheelbase Morris Commercial Cars Ltd (MCC) commercial transport vehicle and had been tested for the carriage of 2-ton Military loads. The chassis was modified with as regards tyre equipment and by fitting a double-skinned cab roof for protection from the sun in tropical countries, a number of them being operated in Egypt

Type C.S.14/80
This was a standard commercial transport vehicle, identical to the C.S.10/80 except for the 14-feet wheelbase.

So, '10' = 10-feet wheelbase and '14' 14-feet, and '80' = 80 cwt, or 4-tonner, but for military purposes with 4.75 ton gvw it was a 2-tonner. However I have just found out that in the 1937 Trials, the 2-ton Leader was also capable of carrying a 3-ton load.

Also:

C.S. 11/30

This 30-cwt MCC lorry had been acquired as there was a need for a 30-cwt 4-wheeled lorry of improved performance for use in Egypt.

I assume that they had a 11-feet wheelbase, and of course were rated at 30-cwt or 1.5 tons.

Care to suggest that the Singapore truck is a C.S.14/80 and the Irish one a C.S.10/80 as with twin rear wheels it must be a 2-tonner as suggested? The Singapore truck looks as though it has a different front end, and extended rear overhang to the 'civvy' truck.

In the 1937/8 Trials apart from the Leader and a C.S. 11/30 there was also a C.W.S. 13/60 which was apparently a Leader with 'considerably more power'...it gets very confusing all these MCC model numbers!

This is presumably a C.S. 13/60 armoured version? The load carrier per se would I assume have the same front end, a la C.S.9, and the same engine as the armoured version. Rating 60-cwt/3-tons?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
That's what I suspected Richard: here are details of Leaders that I have from the WD Trials in 1936:

Care to suggest that the Singapore truck is a C.S.14/80 and the Irish one a C.S.10/80 as with twin rear wheels it must be a 2-tonner as suggested?

David,

The military generally under rated the carrying capacity of its lorries, this was to ensure that the truck could negotiate both roads and cross country with max. payload. Thus.....a civvy 3 tonner could have a War Office rating of 2 tons. From my information, I would say the Irish truck is at least 3 ton payload. The Singapore truck although it has a long body is probably only rated at 3 ton for military use.

Richard

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Thanks Richard..I am very grateful. Would you hazzard a guess at wheelbase lengths please in order to pin down which model they are?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
Thanks Richard..I am very grateful. Would you hazzard a guess at wheelbase lengths please in order to pin down which model they are?

David,

As a rough guess, the Irish Leader is approx 10'6"wb and the Singapore truck around 13'. Also note that the Singapore truck has a different cab, ie front axle mounted further forward, possibly longer bonnet meaning engine not part in cab as Leader, and it also has flowing mudguards.

Richard

[Mike K]

This MCC truck appeared at a rally here last year . Its from mid 30's ? a C type ? It is unrestored , presented as found . It has a 6 cyl motor similar to the CS8 .

Mike

[Mike K]

Sussex.....? at the same rally

[Mike K]

LEYLAND < WHAT YEAR?

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Sussex.....? at the same rally

Fordson 7V with County Commercial Cars Sussex conversion? Any chance ex-military? Yes there were British conversions acquired by the Ministry of Supply.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
David,

As a rough guess, the Irish Leader is approx 10'6"wb and the Singapore truck around 13'.

David,

Had a rethink and reckon that 10'6" is a little short for the Irish Leader, more like 13' which could make the other one a bit longer?

Richard