What Was This Used For?

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - good friend has just acquired this GMC. What would have been its purpose?

Bob

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Great find!

All I can tell it is not a GMC Model AFKX-352, 4x4, Shop Van. Those were used as mobile repair shop, and came in about 10 different shop variations in WWII.

I recon your mate´s GMC was used for the same sort of purpose.

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Bob,

Wait! Now, this does look more like it, doesn´t it?

Truck 1 1/2-ton, 4 x 2 (LC), GMC COE, Signal Corps K-18, Model No. CF-351- Trailer K19 - 1942
The SCR-197 mobile station consisted of the BC-325 radio transmitter with a frequency coverage of 1.5 to 18 Mhz and an RF power output of 400 watts. Radio receivers consisted of three BC-342 and one Hallicrafters S-20R "Sky Champion". Also provisioned was a BC-119 control box. The complete set was housed in a K-18 truck and K-19 trailer combination. A 45 foot vertical antenna was used for sending and a 15 foot whip used for receiving. Power could be optionally supplied by power mains or portable generator units: one PTO driven GN-42-A generator for the transmitter and two small PE-75 skid-mounted units for the receivers.

Source: www.lone-rover.com

All your mate needs to do now is find the K19 Trailer!

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I knew I had seen these pics before. Here are Life Magazine pictures of the GMC COE Signal Corps K-18 Truck and its K19 Trailer:



Click on the pictures to go the the Life Images @ Google site, then click again for lager size version of these pictures.

HTH,
Hanno

[Grant Bowker]

I am quite sure I saw a K19 trailer on eBay about 6 months ago, being sold by someone in SW USA (Arizona?) It appeared soilid but I don't remember if it had any interior or not. At least it seems one has survived.

[cliff]

Here is a colour photo of one originally from Historylink101.com.

good find Bob it is amazing what is still turning up.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi guys - excellent response with identification. My friend will be very pleased. He thought it may have been a Signals Van possibly attached to an WW2 American base in Ballarat, Victoria.

Bob

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

Hi guys - excellent response with identification. My friend will be very pleased. He thought it may have been a Signals Van possibly attached to an WW2 American base in Ballarat, Victoria.

Bob, as ugly as it is, that's an outstanding find! If he restores that to original configuration, I'm sure it will be the only one in the world so equipped. His suspicion re its background seems spot-on, as if to reinforce everything you've seen here! Now, just to find the K19 trailer...

[cletrac (RIP)]

If he can't find the radio stuff he can always throw a mattress in the back and go camping! I never realized they made a cabover with a built on body like that. Great find!

[Col Tigwell]

Highly likely that if the truck stayed here, then the trailer stood a good chance too.

Can we see any old marking that might indicate that it was taken over by Australian forces.

Ugly beast, but then my mother still loved me too.

How good is it inside, least someone has tried to keep the weather out.

Regards

Col

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - spoke to my good friend today who is very pleased about the responses so far. The following is off the surviving data plate.

Truck K 18 C 1 1/2 ton (LC) 472
Arm of Service Maintaining Vehicle Signal Corps
General Motors Truck
Model AF 361
Serial number 043
Gross weight 9980
Maximum Speed 45 MPH
Date of Delivery 9 - 23 - 40
Yellow Truck & Coach MFG Co
For??ac Mich

About half of the rear chassis has been cut away including the differential and rear axle. Also missing is the motor and gear box. However none of this apparently does not present a great problem. As a matter of interest what motor would have been fitted? Also would the handle on the steering column be for trailer brakes?

Bob

[cliff]

Bob the lower plate is probably...
Yellow Truck & Coach MFG Co
Pontiac Mich


Not 100% sure but the motor was probably the same as the 4X4 version with a similar body to that which Hanno posted earlier which had GMC model 278, 6 cyl, 248.5 cubic inch 100bhp according to TM9-2800.

[Lang]

I took these photos in a big dump outside Port Moresby Papua New Guinea about 2 years ago. They are still there if anyone wants bits and is willing to make the effort to pick them up.

Lang

[gordon]

... would be PONTIAC, MICH

According to Fred Crismon the engine would have been a 248 cu in six with a four speed transmission. Production quantities were 258 in 1941 and 109 in 1942, and your one seems to be September 1940.

I'd be planning on using a combination of Chevrolet & CCKW parts to replace the missing stuff. He's have to fit a Chevrolet 1.5 ton rear axle and a CCKW 270 engine and trans if he wanted it simple, but I know you can fit the 270 engine to a Chevrolet four speed transmission ( my K43 had that combination ) and that would be the closest to original you could get.

Chassis sections would be Chevrolet 1.5 ton to get the mounts for rear axle, but what a find, even as a shell.

Yes, that handle is the electric trailer brake controller.

[cletrac (RIP)]

The 248, 270, and 302 GMC sixes were all the same family of engine, so take your pick. I'd go with the 302 if I had the chance. They were used all through the 1950s so shouldn't be hard to find. I know there's quite a few around here.

[gordon]

http://cckw.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=19075#19075

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The Parts List that I have says that it was supplied under W-398-QM-7819, for 1940 Model CF361, 1 1/2 ton 107 5/8" wheelbase, with Model 1544 Cowl, and Luce Van Body, serials USA 601379 to 601423.

My info has it that the engine was the 3 9/16" x 3 12/16" 30.40 hp unit.

[Ryan]

Didn't the engine and gearbox come with the van Bob?
I too was watching the "old van" on ebay.
They were sitting in the grass nearby as shown in the ebay pictures.
One of 47 built according to Vanderveen.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Ryan - The engine & gearbox were not part of the van.

Bob