Capacity of Truck in Photograph?

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

What would the carrying capacity be of the single rear axle Chevrolet shown in this Australian War Memorial photograph?

Does the vehicle have a disruptive pattern or is it just different shading in the photograph? It seems a different shade between just above the middle of the mudguard to just before the "S5" painted on the door.

Photo accessed 14th October 2018 from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P03369.002

Also, can anyone identify the trailer/caravan or rear truck body seen in the background just beyond the bloke's right shoulder who are standing in the tray? The background vehicle in question has the load on its roof and a couple of what look like to be windows in the side.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Mike Cecil]

Lionel,

You can look up the load class in AWM 126 for that AIF registration.

It does appear to have a disruptive camouflage pattern.

The unit should also be easy enough to identify, too, but I'll have to open the other 'pooter for that...

The formation sign/unit sign combined sign plate indicates a 1942 image.

Just looked up the image: November 42, 2/7 Aust Fd Regt Sig Section, so a white over blue sign (signals) with '88' in red. Will check to see if 88 is indeed 2/7th.

Mike

[Mike Kelly]

Hard to see from the pic but it looks like a 1941 model 1 Tonner ? The running boards are short , don't extend to the rear guards like the 15 cwt model ? 17" wheels . GMH cab with the opening screen. The line laying pole is a field mod done by the signallers .

I examined the remains of the same model truck up near Benalla , some years ago. Sadly they had disassembled the vehicle and bits n pieces were scattered around a rubbish tip on a farm. The chassis was there and in good shape but most of the bodywork was missing

These models seem to be rarer than the Ford version of which quite a few have survived.

[Mike Cecil]

Ahh, Michael, your intimate knowledge of things van-like has saved our friend Lionel from the unadulterated joy of looking up the weight class in AWM126, which states V18220 is indeed a 1 ton Chev. (Being typed when Tony posted his last post with the weight class.)

The vehicle left Australia aboard the transport Chios around 28 June 1941 (the shipping dates in AWM126 can be a bit rubbery.)

The 88 unit sign white/blue with 88 in red numerals, is the 2/7th Aust Field Regiment Signals Section, then serving as part of 9th Aust Infantry Division (the platypus over the boomerang on the upper part of the plate).

Mike

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Ahh, Michael, your intimate knowledge of things van-like has saved our friend Lionel from the unadulterated joy of looking up the weight class in AWM126, which states V18220 is indeed a 1 ton Chev. (Being typed when Tony posted his last post with the weight class.)

The vehicle left Australia aboard the transport Chios around 28 June 1941 (the shipping dates in AWM126 can be a bit rubbery.)

The 88 unit sign white/blue with 88 in red numerals, is the 2/7th Aust Field Regiment Signals Section, then serving as part of 9th Aust Infantry Division (the platypus over the boomerang on the upper part of the plate).

Mike

Hello Mike,

"Allies" that is what people like Tony Smith and Mike Kelly are, Mike C.

What software program do people use to zoom in to read the ARN? There is a current thread on another part of MLU called "How good is your eye sight". My response to that is obviously "not" & "Very".

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lang]

This was one I took from Brisbane to Townsville for VP day 50th. I will find the story soon. A delight to drive, very fast and very light on the steering.

When I had finished I sold it to a "collector" in Sydney. 6 months later he sent me a photo saying I would love my truck now. Cabin chopped and painted bright yellow on a Holden HQ ute chassis with a Chev 350 V8. "What happened to the original engine and running gear?" "Oh we just got $200 for scrap"

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

What software program do people use to zoom in to read the ARN?

Kind regards
Lionel

I simply use the enlarge function on the AWM page.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Lionel,

You can look up the load class in AWM 126 for that AIF registration.

Mike

AIF V18220 is listed as a Chevrolet 1 Ton GS.