RAAF Derrick Trucks

[Lang]

Richard,

That truck looks like something used for vertical lifting (no boom support other than brackets on the back of the truck and no horizontal strength). As you say, for bridge piles, maybe signals for putting poles in?

Lang

[Jared Archibald]

G'day all,

I had no idea when I started this thread that there were so many types of lifting configurations used on trucks in the military (specifically CMPs), and so many types of nomenclature for them. I have followed it with great interest.

Thanks to Richard, Lang, Tony, Mike, Grant, Gordon, Tommy, and all the others who have contributed to this thread.

The truck that started this thread is still sitting on a property south of Darwin with little likelihood of being rescued - will see what happens with it...

Lang, your wordsmithing was extraordinary!

Jared

[Tony Wheeler]

Some pics of RAAF Derricks in SWPA, including what looks like a K series Inter.

[Tony Wheeler]

and a nice Ford MCP Derrick:

[Mike Cecil]

And a very appropriate Sqn code on the pranged Mozzie .... 'GONA' !

Nice finds, Tony.

Mike C

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

And a very appropriate Sqn code on the pranged Mozzie .... 'GONA' !

Yes I suspect the irony was not lost on the photographer who featured it so prominently! Of course a few moments earlier it was rather more ominous than ironic:

LABUAN, NORTH BORNEO. 1945-08-24. DRAMATIC HIGHLIGHT OF A DULL WEEK WAS PROVIDED BY A RAAF MOSQUITO PILOT, 421093 FLYING OFFICER W. L. ORR OF EPPING, NSW, AND NO. 1 SQUADRON RAAF WHO MADE A SPECTACULAR LANDING ON ONE WHEEL. HE BURST A TYRE ON TAKE-OFF AND FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR "BUZZED" THE AIRFIELD TRYING TO DECIDE THE BEST WAY TO LAND. THE SCENE ASSUMED AN ATMOSPHERE OF CIRCUS DURING A THRILLING FEATURE ACT AS A HUGE CROWD - RAAF GROUND CREWS, FIGHTER PILOTS AND DIGGERS - WAITED BREATHLESSLY FOR THE CRUCIAL MOMENT.



Landing on one wheel in front of a huge crowd with GONA emblazoned on the fuselage - now that's what I call tempting fate! I'm reminded of Keith & Ross Smith's "God 'Elp All Of Us":