6x6 cmp gun tractor

[Mick Bell]

Hello again,

I've found my (small) file on the 6x6 FAT and can offer the following information.

First there's a Vehicle Chassis Specification, rubber stamped B H Vanderveen collection, with the manuscript addition GM/Chrysler. The chassis manufacturer is stated as Chrysler Corporation of Canada Ltd and General Motors of Canada Ltd. It says Quantity Produced: 5. Applications: General Service, FAT. It does not specify how many of each, or which manufacterer's chassis were used for which purpose. The engine is stated to be a Chrysler 8 cylinder, 323.5 cu in, 140 bhp lump. Quite a pokey machine.

Next we have some Appendices, but I don't know what the master document is. They are:

Appendix A - Tools & Vehicle Equipment for Modified 6x6 FAT
Appendix B - 7B4 FAT - Tools & Equipment Stowage
Appendix G - Vehicle Dimensions
Appendix H - Vehicle Tools and Equipment - 17 and 25 Pdr Roles

Appendix A includes a Special Chrysler Tool. Interesting that we have a body designation, 7B4 in Appendix B.

Finally I have the Xerox photos, sadly of too poor quality to post here. I do have one electronic image of the FAT, which I'll try to atttach to this post (not done this before, so I don't really know how it works!).

When I did the drawing, given that the radiator mesh is diamond shaped I chose to call it a Chevrolet. Having read the specs again I would probably change it to Chrysler as only the Chrysler engine is given in the chassis spec sheet. Also, I would probaly alter the position of the front axle differential - why would it be on the right on a right hand drive vehicle?

Well, there we are, I hope this clears up some of the mystery, though it probably poses more questions than it answers.

Mick Bell