Studebaker US6

[cliff]

Hi Guys, I am after information on the Studebaker US6 trucks the Australian Army used.

Things like colour - was it standard Service Green or US Olive Drab?

Any modifications to standard did the AIF do if any?

I know most of these were used post WW2 and up into the 60's. before being pensioned off.

[lynx42]

G,day Cliff,
I drove Study's for about 6 years in the CMF during the mid 60's to mid 70's. All were DEEP BRONZE GREEN with no exceptions. Never saw one in any other colour. I drove GS troopies, Tippers,a Machinery Shop and one COMMS vehicle with a radio set up in the back which had external ariels on the front corners of the tray sides so that the canopy could be erected.
Regards Rick

[Tony Smith]

Cliff, I would imagine the Studies when uncrated would have been in US paint, but in short order they were repainted in the Aust colour of the day, Deep Bronze Olive, in a satin finish. Many were disposed still in this (faded) colour, while others were repainted in service the later Olive Drab (Aust 146/1).

[lynx42]

Cliff'
I forgot, all had the semaphore hand mounted on the right with a sideways sliding handle below the dash in the middle to operate it. Two jerrycan holders were mounted on the outside of the fuel tank. Those with an ex-GMC trays had the cut-out recess for the fuel filler on the rong side as the GMC tank was on the opposite side to the Study. Pioneering tools were placed around the Cab with the shovel hanging on the corner and the others(pick and axe) on the running board.
Rick

[cliff]

Thanks Rick, what about earlier about 1946-50? would they have been the Bronze Green then or more the WW2 type service green or Olive Drab?

We all replied at once

Thanks guys. I want to do an early model either end of WW2 or shortly after which is why I ask.

[lynx42]

Tony, that looks like a Machinery Shop to me. Good view of the semaphore too. Rick

[Tony Smith]

Some Aust mods I can think of were the Tac sign holders, the clearance lights on top of the cab (these still show up NOS at swapmeets!), and a false yellow metal hand to indicate right hand turns. In this pic you can just make out these 3 mods:

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by cliff
Thanks guys. I want to do an early model either end of WW2 or shortly after which is why I ask.

My understanding is that they weren't used until opening the crates in the late 50's.

[lynx42]

Cliff and Tony,
Forgot the clearence lights as well. I got hold of a few sets of these last year when a disposals shop closed down. The Deep Bronze Green was made at the Maribynong Ordnance Factory Victoria, in at least 1956 as I painted my White Scoutcar in that colour and I still have a few tins in the shed.
Rick

[cliff]

Thanks for the photos Tony

[cliff]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
My understanding is that they weren't used until opening the crates in the late 50's.

Tony I have photos from the AWM dated 1946 showing them in the vehicle park at Bandiana. Looks like the jerry can holders on the fuel tanks were in place but not the indicator lights or other mods.

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by lynx42
G,day Cliff,
I drove Study's for about 6 years...... I drove ........ one COMMS vehicle with a radio set up in the back which had external aerials on the front corners of the tray sides so that the canopy could be erected.
Regards Rick

Larkspur C42 installation in Studebaker:

[cliff]

AWM pic 2

BANDIANA, VIC. 1946. studebaker US6 trucks

[Tony Smith]

The official name for the colour is BSC381c 1948 No224 Deep Bronze Green, so it is certain that this colour wasn't in use before that date!

Incidentally, this is a British colour and came to us courtesy of all the Centurions, Humbers, Ferrets, Saracens, Champs and Land Rovers we imported from the 50's.

[Les Freathy]

G, Day Cliff

Are we to see another of your models based on the Studebaker, for those who have not seen it Cliff had a excellent article in the December issue of Military Modelcraft International on his Chevrolet ambulance in 1/35 scale. Its inspired me to have a crack at it in 1/76 utilizing the Matchbox LRDG Chev but i diverse, Cliff dont know what model or varient you have in mind but these photos may help

1. G.S with wooden body in the artillery tractor role at Buckland Range in Tasmania,6 fd Regt

2 G.S at Moorebank NSW, fitted with winch bumper but no winch colour is light olive

3 Just purchased from a army sale in 1974 is this machinery truck

cheers
Les

[Les Freathy]

2nd

[Les Freathy]

3rd

[cliff]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
G, Day Cliff

Are we to see another of your models based on the Studebaker, for those who have not seen it Cliff had a excellent article in the December issue of Military Modelcraft International on his Chevrolet ambulance in 1/35 scale. Its inspired me to have a crack at it in 1/76 utilizing the Matchbox LRDG Chev but i diverse, Cliff dont know what model or varient you have in mind but these photos may help

cheers
Les

Thanks Les, I should have a copy of the magazine to see the article myself next week. Tony Little the editor has offered me the new Studebaker kit which I think is the ICM 1/35 one. I really just want to do it OOB but preferably as an Aussie one so that's the reason for the questions. If I have to make the indicator lights and other small parts I will but I like the idea of it towing a 25pounder as you show in one of your photos.

The next article of mine to be published in Military Modelcraft International is in February 2008 and is the 2lb anti-tank carrier I built last year.

[Keith Webb]

I have a section with some demobbed trucks in the 70s when there were a lot of mint examples to be had quite cheaply.

[cliff]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
I have a section with some demobbed trucks in the 70s when there were a lot of mint examples to be had quite cheaply.

Thanks Keith. The vehicle of Bert Barker's taken in 2002 show it painted in what looks like Olive Drab. Is this original or has it been repainted from when he purchased it?

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by cliff
Thanks Keith. The vehicle of Bert Barker's taken in 2002 show it painted in what looks like Olive Drab. Is this original or has it been repainted from when he purchased it?

Yes it is still in the same paint as when he bought it from the Army auction.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Tony Little the editor has offered me the new Studebaker kit which I think is the ICM 1/35 one. I really just want to do it OOB but preferably as an Aussie one so that's the reason for the questions.

Cliff, if it's the ICM kit, than find yourself a set of GMC wheels from Tamiya, Italeri or Heller. ICM made a mistake with the bar thread tires. Otherwise the kit is very nice.

Alex

[cliff]

Originally posted by Alex van de Wetering
Cliff, if it's the ICM kit, than find yourself a set of GMC wheels from Tamiya, Italeri or Heller. ICM made a mistake with the bar thread tires. Otherwise the kit is very nice.

Alex

Hi Alex thanks for the tip and I had already intended to replace the wheels as I read that they were not right in the kit. Tony has confirmed it is the ICM kit so I look forward to getting it.

Cheers
Cliff

[Mike Kelly]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
The official name for the colour is BSC381c 1948 No224 Deep Bronze Green, so it is certain that this colour wasn't in use before that date!

Incidentally, this is a British colour and came to us courtesy of all the Centurions, Humbers, Ferrets, Saracens, Champs and Land Rovers we imported from the 50's.

Hi Tony

DBG was in use pre WW2 . It is on the 1931 BSC colour chart . The chart was amended a few times post WW2 , but DBG was there from the early 30's . I have a had a few British WW2 radios with the cases finished in DBG . Most people think its a 1950's post war colour , but it isn't .

Wattyl outlets will mix it up for you , I had a tin done and they gave me this document . Apparently its available in many forms of their paint range .

Mike