Pre-war Canadian military vehicle photos

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From the DND website:

In 1934, the government found enough money to finance two experimental armoured cars. The deal with both Ford and Chevrolet has been that the government would pay for the chassis and materials used while the company would look after design work and labour. When the cost were totalled up, the government came up ahead, fot it had to pay less than $2,500 each for cars which had cost Ford and GM more than $9,000 to build.

The Government and NDHQ were sufficiently impressed to think about two more cars, to go to the Strathconas. But when negotiations were opened with Ford and GM it turned out that they were unwilling to subsidize Canadian defence and the modernization of the militia by taking further losses. Additional machines would cost $9,500 a copy. The Liberals had just won a general election and a rather feeble excuse was quickly concocted to abandon the deal.

Regimental History
Both cars proved eminently satisfactory, the ten-wheeled Ford having a slight edge in cross-country performance, the Chevrolet being better on any kind of a road. There were minor weaknesses in the suspension and steering mechanisms of each, but the chief criticism: Turret communication. It has been found that in travelling across country continuous directions have to come from the turret to the driver. This at present is very difficult and a speaking tube or light signalling system is recommended. The Chevrolet remained with the Regiment until its departure for Europe in November 1941.

Technical Details

Engine: 6 cyl
Speed: 30 mph
5 mph in reverse
Range: 100 miles
Armament: 1 x Vickers Mk VI medium Machine Gun
Crew: 4
Armour: Rivetted and bolted



Picture:
A Dragoon in front of a Chevrolet armoured car in St. Jean circa 1940. Stencilled on the vehicle is "R.C.D. 35-1-92." The photo was taken during the winter