Prewar photos of Australian medium guns with tractors?

Leonid · #1 27-03-09, 15:10

Hello!
Does anyone have any prewar photos of Australian 6-inch howitzers, 60-pdr guns and 3-inch AA guns towed by artillery tractors or trucks? Despite all my efforts I was able to find only some photos with archaic Thornycroft "Hathi" tractor... As far as I know the wheeled gun tractors like Scammel or even AEC 850/FWD(R6T) did not reach Australia in the 1930s. Or am I mistaken?
Same request for New Zealand, however, in this case I've found at least some info in the "Royal New Zealand Artillery" site. Quote:"The Holts ceased to be used shortly after the outbreak of World War 2 when towage of medium guns was undertaken by Leyland trucks previously used to tow QF 3-in 20-cwt AA guns, the latter having been relegated to a static role..." There is also a photo of 6-in howitzer with Leyland 6x4 truck as tractor...

Leonid

Lang · #2 28-03-09, 08:15

Leonid,

I did a search and only came up with this lot. All taken 1937-39 except for the Ford marmon Herrington in Palestine which was a prewar vehicle also.

Lang

Lang · #3 28-03-09, 08:17

And some more. ALL of above and these taken in Australia (except Ford)

Lang

lynx42 · #4 28-03-09, 12:01

Leonid,
Please post the HATHI photos. I hope that there is one of these vehicles somewhere which may one day be restored.
Thanks Rick

Richard Farrant · #5 28-03-09, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynx42

I hope that there is one of these vehicles somewhere which may one day be restored.

Hi Rick,

I thought you would like to see what is probably the only restored Hathi in the world. This one had been used and abused in forestry before it arrived at the REME Museum some years ago, very little above the chassis remained. It had been fitted with a Bedford diesel and had a radiator from a Garner, I think.
The restoration was done by army trainees, if I remember correctly. The search to find the correct model of Thornycroft engine was fruitless, but a similar one was adapted. The radiator was recreated as well.

lynx42 · #6 29-03-09, 01:41

Thanks Richard, \
That one is on my list of things to see whilst we are in UK.
Did you know that there was a 6x6 as well. (Don't know how many of them were built). AWM records show that 7 Hathi's came to Australia. Hopefully we can find one of those.
Regards Rick

Richard Farrant · #7 29-03-09, 01:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynx42

Thanks Richard, \
That one is on my list of things to see whilst we are in UK.
Did you know that there was a 6x6 as well.

Hi Rick,

I will introduce you to my friend, who looks after it....when we meet soon.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #8 29-03-09, 03:38

Hi Rick - as with Phoenix, I have always had the desire to do a Hathi. I have some information/images of these including some material fro a guy whose father drove one towing the artillery pieces. I'll wait to see if Leonid is going to post some images, if not I'll post mine. Let us find one of them.

Bob