Post War Commercial Civil Defense Trucks

[Jes Andersen]

On another forum, there is a discussion about Canadian Civil Defense stuff and a picture of an International truck was posted. I recall a few pictures taken of International stake trucks, with tarps that were assigned to 155 Coy RCASC, a militia unit in Victoria at the time. I'm curious if these same stake trucks were used for Civil Defense units around the country and if there are any pictures of them available. Anyone have anything to contribute?

[Robin Craig]

where is the other forum?

I would like to go see and read about this

[Jes Andersen]

Its actually buried in the early Deuce Forum on Steelsoldiers. A number of the members here drop in over there but here is the link. Its Edmonton centric and if anyone can add to the information, I'm sure it would be appreciated.
I know there are other sites across the country and links to their information would be welcome. I'm not directly associated with this but still find it interesting.



http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...cles-and-Items

This is their web site: http://civildefencemuseum.ca Lots of interesting stuff and links to other sites.

[maple_leaf_eh]

In the 70s my Militia unit had an International Carryall truck-type station wagon. Hard to call it an SUV, because it was 2WD. Hard to call it a truck, because it was a full body with a back seat.

If International was selling to the CF in the 70s, you can bet they had been in that business a long time. So long that "Carryall" was a universal code on 404s for what is now called an SUV.

[Jes Andersen]

The International 2 tons were long before my time. I recall '66? Dodge 3 ton stake trucks as well as those International Travelalls fitted for 5 passengers and driver. The trucks of interest would have been in service in the '50s likely before the deuces went into service. In addition to those vehicles we had Dodge 3/4t 4x4 pickups that were later changed out for the 5/4T. 5 tonners were promised but hadn't materialized by the time I packed it in.

The interest is in similar Civil Defense vehicles and any pictures that may be around of them. I have several old photos as RCASC trucks but can't find the pictures right now.

[Ian Johns]

Here's some photos of a truck from my landlord collection

[chris vickery]

A Civil Defence period decal Can't remember where I bought these but they are kind of neat.

[Dave D.]

That sticker is going to drive our director nuts. Part of the original planning in the 50's included utilizing civilian vehicles for the evacuation planning in cities across Canada. As seen on our dispersal plan, cities were divided into sections, automobiles in those sections inventoried and labels handed out to individuals who would help evacuate those without vehicles.

Great label, thanks for sharing!

One very interesting part of the planning were the many 'shelters' that were built throughout Canada, in businesses, homes and various levels of Government buildings. One survey conducted by Lt. T. Newcomen in downtown Edmonton suggested there was ample 'shelter housing' to house 29,900 individuals in the downtown area in case of a nuclear strike. A 'fallout shelter', at the time was defined as a structure that was designed with a main floor above a basement area that could support the weight of the structure above it in the event of a collapse.

Many of the shelters still exist and if we're lucky we'll be able to continue to get pictures or video of the efforts Canadians made to prepare themselves in the event of a nuclear war.

One aspect that still gets me going was the Uninterrupted Power Supply Generators UPS that still exist in a few of the shelters that we have visited.

This Chrysler flat-head engine which still sits within the abandoned Edmonton bunker and a Ford diesel in an unnamed facility are my favorites. Not sure how these pictures will turn out but lets give it a shot.

[Dave D.]

That Chrysler pic didn't turn out very good so we'll try another one and give up a link to the rest of the bunker photos.

The Edmonton bunker was the first known/documented Civil Defence nuclear fall-out shelters in Canada.

http://civildefencemuseum.ca/edmonton-bunker-2

[chris vickery]

My Fallout shelter, aka beer drinking shed. Not much protection here when things go to hell in a hand basket.
Considering the strategic target that North Bay was during the Cold War with the Bunker on the hill and the Bomarc missile battery up the road...
Still ticked that the Lefties and Peaceniks convinced the City of North Bay to remove the Bomarc that was on display. I would have gladly donated the space to put it on my front lawn!