Halftrack Ambulances

Robert Dabkowski · #1 28-02-03, 05:48

Looking for information on the interior layout/equipment fitted to an International Harvester Company (IHC) halftrack ambulance used by Canadian/British forces circa 1944/45. Have several photos showing the exterior red crosses and tarps fitted by no views of the interiors. Am restoring an M5/M9 combination vehicle and would like to complete it as an ambulance variant if I can find the information that I need. ANY help/info/sources/contacts much appreciated. Robert in Toronto

Mark W. Tonner · #2 28-02-03, 11:58

Robert;

I may have something for you. Give me a bit and I'll dig it out.

Cheers

Mark W. Tonner · #3 01-03-03, 04:37

Robert;

I thought I had something on the interior layout/equipment, but I don't. All kinds of other layouts, but not an ambulance one.

Cheers

servicepub (RIP) · #4 08-03-03, 21:58

Looking for black & white and colour photos of halftracks for use in upcoming "Weapons of War" booklet.
Send low-res scan to <clive@servicepub.com>. Thnx,
Clive

Robert Dabkowski · #5 09-03-03, 07:14

Mark, any internal layout info on an IHC being used as a gun tractor for a 17 pdr. AT gun ? Or internal layout of command/radio halftrack ? The only thing on this varient that I have seen is the cover of the Verlinden detailing kit for M3 halftracks. Robert in Toronto

Mark W. Tonner · #6 09-03-03, 12:47

Robert;

I'll take a look and post what I find.

Cheers

Hanno Spoelstra · #7 20-03-03, 10:47

Robert,

Not a half-track, but possibly of interest is this picture of a British M3A1 Scout Car which has been converted into an ambulance.

Looking forward to see the result of your restoration!

Cheers,
Hanno

Robert Dabkowski · #8 31-03-03, 15:05

Hanno, thanks for thinking of me but the link that you posted keeps giving me an "open file" error message. Could you check it for me ?

I also hope to see the result of my halftrack restoration but I think that it will take longer than my lifetime !

Robert Dabkowski

Hanno Spoelstra · #9 31-03-03, 15:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert Dabkowski
Hanno, thanks for thinking of me but the link that you posted keeps giving me an "open file" error message. Could you check it for me ?

Robert, sorry but the link didn't work for me either. Go to http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/mdbquery.html and search for "british scout car ambulance". The link to the picture I wanted to point out should show up as the first in the list of items. If not, let me know.

Quote:

I also hope to see the result of my halftrack restoration but I think that it will take longer than my lifetime !

Well yes, don't we all have reasons to become at least 100 years of age?

Hanno Spoelstra · #10 09-04-03, 10:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert Dabkowski
...interior layout/equipment fitted to an IHC halftrack ambulance used by Canadian/British forces circa 1944/45.

Rob,

Just came across this picture of a US Army White Half-Track ambulance. I wonder if there would be any similarity between this conversion and the Commonwealth one? Probably a long shot, but maybe a search for US half-track ambulance interiors will yield useable material?

Regards,
Hanno

source: http://www.longneckonline.com/gallery.html

Don Dingwall · #11 14-04-03, 05:05

dingwall@magma.ca

I have the manual for the 19 set WT installation for White SC and half tracks.
Scanned them last week, but this site wouldn't let me reply, then I forgot what my log in was, then I went to the AMPS in Aberdeen and lost my mind......and my money

Now I'm back.

Don

Wayne R · #12 30-04-03, 01:59

Robert

I can get you photo's of a comand half track that was used by a Canadian unit in WWII. It is not in the best of shape and has what I believe are unit modifications but if you are interested I can snap some photo's and send them to you.

Robert Dabkowski · #13 30-04-03, 16:35

Wayne, that would be great ! Also, if possible, contact information for the vehicle owner ? Many thanks. Robert in Toronto

Hanno Spoelstra · #14 07-01-04, 11:14

Rob,

Here's a picture of a Commonwealth Half-track ambulance:

See http://www.britishpathe.com/, film ID 1992.11 "INVASION SCENES EUROPE" to see if there are any more (ref. missing-lynx.com > Discussion Groups > Allied WWII > Brit Half tracks and 1st aid)

Regards,
Hanno

Rob McCue · #15 09-01-04, 06:36

Rob, i have spoken to my fathers friend, He was a halftrack ambulance driver with the SAR, B Sqn. He is quite ill currently and said he would speak to me in a month or so when he was feeling better Eric told me he was a driver of a white halftrack ambulance, and he remembers the layout quite well. He also told me how simple it was and agreed to make a sketch of as much as he could remember, and that he would look through his photos for any pictures which might help you. I will e-mail you as soon as I have anything back from him.

Wayne is that Halftrack command vehicle the same one I am researching for restoration, the vehicle formerly owned by the South Alberta's, if it is I should have a complete Photo layout by the end of January, both inside and out.

Cheers, Rob

Hanno Spoelstra · #16 26-01-04, 14:55

Another picture of an ambulance half-track:

Source: http://www.ktr.nl/

No, not Commonwealth troops - early war training of US troops still wearing the British style helmet.

Andrew Tomlinson · #17 30-01-04, 22:52

Rob
I too am intrigued by the interior fitments; I have somewhere read that the fuel tanks were modified to be in line with each other, one side only.

If anyone finds any interior / outside pics or info I would appreciate it if they could post them on this site or send me an e-mail so I can model a Brit / Commonwealth version.

Thanks.

Andrew

Don Dingwall · #18 03-02-04, 18:47

Public Archives of Canada:
RG 24
Volume 9392
File#55/549/9

There are about 5 or 6 photos in a file with descriptions of an M14 HT from 8 Recce, showing three strecthers mounted side by side across the fighting compartment. They were simple tubular racks and were mounted across the vehicle just above the top of the fuel tanks about where the side and rear hinges are located on the side plates.
I have really dark photocopies of it. If you're totally desparate, I can scan them but they may not show up very well. I'll play with them and see what I can do.

HTH
Don

Andrew Tomlinson · #19 03-02-04, 19:19

Don
Many thanks if you can send them - any info is useful !!!

I've drawn a British stretcher if anyone needs the dimensions.

Regards
Andrew

Robert Dabkowski · #20 03-02-04, 19:24

Don, many thanks. Had just about given up hope of ever seeing what the interior of an IHC ambulance halftrack looked like ! Robert in Toronto

servicepub (RIP) · #21 03-02-04, 19:40

Robert and Andrew,

Now that Don has steered us in the right direction I can order the relevant volume at Nat'l Archives. I can get scans but they run $15.95 each (300DPI) - same for 5x7 prints.
Let me know if you want me to order these and you two can sort out (along with anybody else) the split. I no longer need H/T photos but will be ordering Fox SP pix.

Clive

Andrew Tomlinson · #22 03-02-04, 19:42

Hi all
I wonder if the various stretcher mods were very similar across the board ?
i.e. rear loading Jeeps often had rails fitted,
Bren carriers were similar, with extended rear body and a locker behind the engine,
DUKWs had I believe 6 approx
and then of course there were the Buffalo (Fantails) in Italy which were modified, but nothing detailed.

Logically there must be some similarities. I hope this forum is OK for this ?

Regards
Andrew

Don Dingwall · #23 03-02-04, 20:04

8th Recce MO track.
The roof bows on top are flat bar stock.

Don Dingwall · #24 03-02-04, 20:08

Notice that the bars for the stretchers don't extend all the way across so a third can be carried up the center to rest on the stands.

Don Dingwall · #25 03-02-04, 20:12

Center stretcher mounted.

Don Dingwall · #26 03-02-04, 20:14

Last one. The fifth is virtually unviewable. I'll try again later.

Andrew Tomlinson · #27 03-02-04, 20:18

Don
Many thanks for that interesting picture ! Great stuff.

My surprise is also that the rear HT corners are square (as per the Command HT pictures) - as I didn't realise the Canadians had the 'US' style HTs as well as the M5 or M9 series. Was this common ?

Pic looks like a de-gunned M14 AA version, by the cut-out in the rear door. The Poles however used them in the AA configuration too without change.

Regards
Andrew

Don Dingwall · #28 03-02-04, 20:22

Got it.
Notice the rear door on the M14 (an LAD mod, fairly common on CW M14's to make them...useful) swings open to the left.
Interesting WD painting job too, with white letters on a black painted field.

Don Dingwall · #29 03-02-04, 20:29

Andrew:
Check out the rearmost corners, where the lower armour suite extends back past the folding side.

Most of the M14's in CW service had the guns taken out. They were pretty numerous (due to the generousity of the Yanks...who didn't want to use the homogenous armoured versions) and were next to useless in the AA role.
Lots of units used them, but the M5/M9 series were preferred as they had continuous armour from bottom to top and a rear door.

HTH
Don

servicepub (RIP) · #30 03-02-04, 20:38

If I may be so bold as to recommend "Halftracks in Canadian Service". At $CDN9.95 its a bargain and it has lots of good info on these.
www.servicepub.com