Commer Q2: Truck, 15-cwt, 4x2, Van

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I'm trying to gather some more information on the Commer Q2 15-cwt as used by the RAF during WW2. Here's what I found in Vanderveen's books (text) and the internet (pictures):

6-cyl. 66-bhp engine (own 20.9 hp 3180-cc sv) driving rear wheels via 4-speed gearbox. Hydraulic brakes. Leaf-spring suspension. Tyre size 10.50-16. Wheelbase 120 in.
Overall dimensions 189x78x90 in. Weight 5375 lb.
Composite construction integral bodywork by Mulliners of Birmingham for RAF, production starting July 1940. Later production had 80-hp 4-litre engine. Several other body styles.

Who has handbooks, more historic / technical background, photos?

Thanks!
Hanno

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

I imagine this is a Commer Q2 and should be ex RAF according to Bart's books.
In this case a beute photographed in Russia according to the ebay seller. From a year or so ago.

[cliff]

Hanno I have these two photos of Commer 'Vans'. Not sure where I got these from and also not sure if they are the same model as those you pictured.

[Mike Kelly]

Hanno
here is one in the Czech republic

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Cliff, Mike,

Thanks for the input!

Could it be the Czech survivor is the one shown in HMVF Forum > Commer Q2 30cwt GS 1939? That thread also shows a picture of a survivor in the UK.

- Hanno

[cliff]

just down the road from my place in Gympie about 12 months ago. Is this one of the same type?

[S LATHERON]

I believe that theres a similar truck in Bishop Auckland County Durham UK.

Noth East Military Vehicle club member Possibly MVT as well

Regards stephen

[Mike Kelly]

Originally Posted by cliff

just down the road from my place in Gympie about 12 months ago. Is this one of the same type?

yes Cliff,

They were marketed here post ww2 and sold through Rootes dealers as a civilian truck . Rather rare as I've never seen one myself, but I've seen pics of them, mostly small trucks with ute type bodies . I think they ran the contemporary Humber 6 side valve motor but I could be wrong I have an article on a restored example here, the owner chose to install a later OHV 4 cyl. motor.

Mike

[Mike Kelly]

A snowy mountains hydro series 1 Land Rover tows a Commer, circa 1950 Cooma, NSW .

National archives pic . The SMHA purchased approx. 2000 of the 1950 model Land Rovers.

Mike

[Mike Kelly]

In West Aussie ...its a 48 model..common with many post war models.. a carry over from the earlier models eg WW2.

http://ccmv.fotopic.net/p29160070.html

Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another surviving Commer. This one is the Q2´s smaller brother, the Q15. Hailing from the UK, it nowadays resides in Holland! Source: www.spear-head.nl

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by S LATHERON

I believe that theres a similar truck in Bishop Auckland County Durham UK.
Noth East Military Vehicle club member Possibly MVT as well

Stephen,

You mean this one? Source: http://www.scottishmvg.org/8.html
Apparently it is owned by Malcolm Bogaert, he´s a member of this forum, too.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Besides the GS, Explosives Van and Van, the Q2 came in the guise of a Tractor as well.

I´ll make an effort to list the differences between the various Q2´s from the sources I have.

Pic source: www.ianhardy.net

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

In West Aussie ...its a 48 model..common with many post war models.. a carry over from the earlier models eg WW2.
http://ccmv.fotopic.net/p29160070.html

Hi Mike

Your link to CCMV leads to a really interesting collection of photos of Military and Civilian Trucks, I spent a long time wondering around it the pictures.

Their home page is http://ccmv.fotopic.net/ thanks for giving me another reason to sit in front of the computer screen when I should be out in the shop working. But it is an interesting bunch of photos.

Cheers Phil

[Radek]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Hanno
here is one in the Czech republic

Here is the same Commer after the renovation of the forum member Higgins

[Mike Kelly]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Your link to CCMV leads to a really interesting collection of photos of Military and Civilian Trucks, I spent a long time wondering around it the pictures.

Their home page is http://ccmv.fotopic.net/ thanks for giving me another reason to sit in front of the computer screen when I should be out in the shop working. But it is an interesting bunch of photos.

Yes Phil,

I did the same ..many restored old trucks there ..hours of pics to look at. Many military trucks as well . I think anyone can send in pics to add to the list.

[Alex van de Wetering]

I remember seeing another British-owned 30cwt Commer Q2 at the Dutch liberation day in 1995; will scan a pic of the truck in question in the next few days (also remember we discussed the truck in another MLU thread)

There should be another closed cab Commer (Q2?) in one of the bigger Australian MV museums; saw it on a DVD, just last week.

Than there is the Q2 tractor with Queen Mary that used to be in Holland a few years ago.....not a COE like the one on Ian Hardy's website, but one WITH a nose....Hanno, you probably know where that one is right now.


Anyway, back to the subject....I haven't seen too much information, nor surviving examples of the 15cwt. I do remember seeing a 1/76 scale modelling drawing of the truck in question.

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

This one is the Q2´s smaller brother, the Q15. Hailing from the UK, it nowadays resides in Holland!

Would this be a wartime combo....or is this a post-war rebuild of one of the 15cwt's...fitted with a closed cab from a Q2 or Q4? (can't remember seeing a 15cwt Commer with closed cab before...)

Alex

p.s. On the subject of Commer's.....any 3 ton Q4's surviving anywhere? or only the post-war ones?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

I do remember seeing a 1/76 scale modelling drawing of the truck in question.

Alex,

Would be interesting to see that drawing.

Here´s a 1:76 scale kit of the 15-cwt RAF van: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/FHP72213

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Commer Q4 3-ton 4x2 truck in post-war civilian use, ca. 1947, The Netherlands.

Source: http://members.home.nl/rhsluik/wegtransport_twente.htm

[Hanno Spoelstra]

http://www.military-vehicle-photos.c...number2208.asp

The Battered Wagon

This photograph was taken in 1942 by my late father, Ron Hunnisett in North Africa and shows what I'm reliably informed is a Commer Q2 15cwt truck as used by the RAF. This would make sense as my Dad was in the RAF Regiment

Contributor: Steve Hunnisett

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The webpage Rootes Wartime Vehicle Production has a complete breakdown of all vehicles built by the Rootes group reveals between the outbreak of War to the end of August 1943 6,559 Q2's were delivered. Never realised so many were produced!

[malcolm erik bogaert]

yes can confirm one of these in north-east..belonging to long time North east Military vehicle Club member was recently used in the production of the TV film JOE MADDISONS WAR along with Denny Thompsons 3.7 and AEC Matador...cheers malcolm in a very wet north-northumberland

[Alex van de Wetering]

Alex,

Would be interesting to see that drawing.

hmm,

I see I made a promise a year ago; will have a look.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

I see I made a promise a year ago; will have a look.

Please do.

Thanks in advance!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

I´ll make an effort to list the differences between the various Q2´s from the sources I have.

Commer made 15-cwt 4x2 trucks in the following variants:

• Q15 GS
• Q2 Van
• Q2 FFW

Entries from Vanderveen's Historic Military Vehicles Directory:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Several dozen RAF Commer Q2 Vans lined up for an auction shortly after WW2. Note the lack of tilts.

Picture from Wheels & Tracks magazine no.5.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Would this be a wartime combo....or is this a post-war rebuild of one of the 15cwt's...fitted with a closed cab from a Q2 or Q4? (can't remember seeing a 15cwt Commer with closed cab before...

Well, have a close look here for a survivor!

Commer Q 15 1940
Untouched 15 cwt, 220 th of 294/V/4335 contract, running, to be restored, w/ builder plates, period parts list & instruction book, French papers, a rare survivor of early years of war. Located in Normandy.
0033 (0)232 583899
Ludovic Meyer

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Well, have a close look here for a survivor!

Hi Hanno,
What a find! This is one of 350, the contract was dated 21st May 1942. Described as Q15 Loose Tilt Van for War Office.

[Richard Farrant]

Hanno,
I put the incorrect contract details on my previos post, now corrected. Going by a photocopy of original Rootes wartime contracts list, although the contract was for the WO, I think that the rear number plate might have an RAF number on it .......... or is it a French civilian number?

[Alex van de Wetering]

Wow, very nice! I am glad my presumption of closed cabs on a 15cwt chassis being non-orginal proved to be wrong...what a nice truck.

I think that the rear number plate might have an RAF number on it .......... or is it a French civilian number?

Richard, I think you might be right....does it say "RAF" on the first line of the licence plate? I guess if it was post-war French civilian, a licence plate on the left hand of the truck would be more logical? Although I am not sure if the rules were so strict that people actually had to move the plate from right to left on trucks like these.

@ Hanno....something for Bert? Location sounds good and I am positive you and I could help him pick the truck up