CMP C15 & F15 No13 Cab roof hatches

[Larry Hayward]

When were the roof rectangular hatches first introduced on Ford & Chevrolet No13 Cab vehicles? What date approx.?

Also generally speaking were these roof hatches fitted only to certain types of vehicles, whereas others might have just a flat roof?

[David Dunlop]

I think the roof hatch was available throughout all CMP production, regardless of cab version, but like many automotive items, it was an option that could be added to virtually any version of CMP built during the war.

What dictated a CMP getting a hatch was probably related to whether or not it was intended for service in forward or rear areas. It would be a useful option for crews operating the vehicle close to a combat area, but of little use for vehicles hauling supplies between a base and the local rail head.

Of course that theoretical concept goes right out the window fairly quickly as war progresses. CMP's would be sent wherever needed regardless of having a hatch or not. You worked with what you had available.

Be interesting to actually see the detailed paperwork submitted to Ford and GM for any given CMP contract, just to see how they spelled out all the requirements.

David

[Bob Carriere]

To the best of my knowledge there where NO factory hatches on the cab 11 Ford or Chev......... and they started with the cab 12. There are some Ford factory pictures of a cab 12 with hatch but rigid windshield....... we must remember that these manufacturing changes where being introduced during production runs with no stopping for retooling and that at times they used what was available rather than stop war time production......partly explains C60s, a week apart, had civilian instrument clustesr while others had round military instruments.

And you are correct that hatches became optional for certain models and later in the war a number of cab 13 had no hatches at all........ why bother when you have air superiority ...... and hatches leaked!!!!!

Cheers

[Larry Hayward]

Well I've seen quite a few photos of No 13 cab CMP 3 tonners with no roof hatch which suggests they were less likely to be on the front line but WW2 in service photos of the 15 cwt trucks without roof hatches are hard to find.