FWD SU-COE Tractor (ex-Danish Army)

[austin tilly]

My Brother has bought an FWD SU COE Tractor. Time to find lots more information

Does anyone has more information about this vehicle? We already found some manuals today, but that´s just a start.
It is a former Danisch vehicle.
The intention is to make a combination with the Signal Corps Van Semitrailer (Fruehauf Trailer Model K-78A) and Dolly K-83.

Cheers,
Arjan van der Hoek

[Les Freathy]

Hi Arjan

Best you print a photo of the said FWD tractor, i have only ever seen it with a low loader trailer so presume the signals van trailer is something your brother wants to do
cheers
Les

[austin tilly]

Here are some pictures. More will follow.
The body on the back does not belong to this vehicle.

Cheers,
Arjan

[austin tilly]

This is a picture from "Canada's Fighting Vehicles Europ 1943-1945" of a FWD SU COE


The combination would approx look like this.


Are there any other known FWD SU COE Tractor known? And what kind of trailers are they towing?
Who has some old pictures of this vehicle?

Cheers,
Arjan

[Alex van de Wetering]

Arjan,

Congratulations to your brother.

There is an FWD Su-COE with AEC Matador rear body in the Liberty park museum, Overloon.
Also the club RAL 7......., well, the number for Olive Drab, from the surrounings of Rotterdam has an FWD SU-COE, but I am not sure which body it has. This last one will be on display at the Delft Legermuseum on sunday 21st of October.

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Alex van de Wetering
There is an FWD Su-COE with AEC Matador rear body in the Liberty park museum, Overloon.

[austin tilly]

I´ve been to Overloon and did see the FWD. Had no idea that my brother would buy one.

At webshots are more photo´s of the FWD at Overloon.

Cheers,
Arjan

[Rhett Fisher]

The body on the FWD appears to be from a CMP LAAT. Does the rest of the vehicle exist, or is the body surplus to requirements?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by austin tilly
And what kind of trailers are they towing?

Arjan, if I recall correctly, the REME used these tractors with a semitrailer to transport Cat caterpillar tractors. Pictures of these are rare.

I personally have never seen any reference to Signal Corps Van Semitrailers towed by FWD´s in Canadian use. Would make a great combo on to see on the road, though.

Hanno

[Al Nickolson]

From my uncle's album.

Lake Zwich Germany 1945

If you would like larger photos please PM me.

Regards, Al

[Keith Orpin]

quote by Rhett Fisher:
The body on the FWD appears to be from a CMP LAAT. Does the rest of the vehicle exist, or is the body surplus to requirements?

You beat me to it, Rhett, not only is the rear body off a LAAT, it also contains a dog house cover. I know someone else who may be interested in that body, if it's availiable.
Regards
Keith

[Noel Burgess]

Found these pictures here which, though small, show a number of FWD SU with several bodies but only a GS semi-trailer - lots more interesting shots there too - anybody know the identity of the poster?

Great photos from Al Nickolson - but is that a full trailer ?

Noel

[Richard Farrant]

Talking to a friend today, who is not on MLU, he told me he was restoring a SU-COE artillery tractor with metal body. He needs to know if and where the chassis number is stamped. The identification plates are missing, but he hope someone may know if the numbers were stamped in the chassis.

[Niels V]

There Is a FWD fore sale in Denmark, if any one is interested.
https://www.staaling.dk/brugt/divers...943-02753-1040

[Trevor Pitman]

Im researching FWDs in service after service with the military......a friend who is currently restoring the truck has located his chassis number `on left hand side by the rear of the front spring hanger`....hope this helps

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Trevor Pitman

Im researching FWDs in service after service with the military......a friend who is currently restoring the truck has located his chassis number `on left hand side by the rear of the front spring hanger`....hope this helps

Thanks Trevor, I may see him tomorrow and will let him know

[austin tilly]

After a few years it's clear my brother is not able to restore the FWD. Time and other personal problems

If someone knows a new good owner for the FWD Su Coe, radartrailer and dolly, please contact me. These vehicles would be a unique combination, that should be preserved.

Cheers
Arjan van der Hoek

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

There are photos in my book of Pearsons of Liverpool, having been assembled by them and I have found some photos of three or so in Chipperfields Circus livery.

[Trevor Pitman]

Hopefully this FWD and trailer will find a new owner to restore the combination. Not the easiest of restorations due to the size of the truck, its wooden framed cab and large petrol engine. I took it upon myself to try and record as many of the su-coes as I could and now have details of nearly 200. No doubt there are many more.....Im still finding new ones. In the UK at least 5 are undergoing restoration. I may be possible that one of them makes its public appearance towards the end of 2010

[BEN-RIPPINGHAM]

sure could use the company...

[Neilie]

Hello Gents,

I'm currently building a 1/76 scale model of the FWD SU-COE and noted with interest the Overloon photos. It shows the frame mounted winch protruding up into the front area of the crew compartment of the Matador body.
If any of you have seen this particular example, can you tell me if there were the customary two bench seats (one behind the other) set a little further back than the Matador, or only one. The view showing the winch shows no hint of a bench but it is a dead-on photo through the open crew door.
I would appreciate any info anyone has on this particular example.

Cheers,

Neil

[Alex van de Wetering]

I would appreciate any info anyone has on this particular example.

Neil, I wouldn't be surprised if the Overloon, or more precise the Marshall museum, example is also an ex-Danish truck with a retrofitted rear body.

Alex

[Neilie]

Hello Alex,

Thanks for the information. I did contact Arjan (Austin Tilly) as he had seen the Overloon vehicle but unfortunately he can't remember the seating configuration. I will probably just add the customary two benches as in the Matador but a little further back.

Cheers,

Neil