MLU FORUM - CMPs in Swiss Army use

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- - CMPs in Swiss Army use (http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11500)

... here are some pics from 2009 of the Blitz from my posting #12. She's has moved to the the Military Museum in Burgdorf. Unfortunately, wasn't on display when I visited the Museum last year. She could be on storage in a non-public hall. Behind her is the Blitz from posting #28.

... here's an excellent shot of a period postcard.

... it looks like there's a new Blitz in Switzerland, which is in the process of restoring. Pics are from the Schweizerisches Militärmuseum.

Referring to the posts #15 and 16 the Swiss Army christianed their types as "F-60 S-01 and F-60-II BIW". Does anybody know what that means, especially BIW? Was that an official description or just a Swiss invention?

I did a lot of research with a friend in archives concerning the sourcing of mil vehicles for the Swiss Army (from the 30s onwards), and looked through some manuals/books about the Swiss Blitz's but nowhere is mentioned what the 2 different Blitz types means. It looks like the Swiss also used Chev Blitz's but haven't seen a pic yet, only Ford pics available. The Blitz's were sold in the 70s abroad because nobody wanted them here!

Greetings
Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra (Post 106518)

Chris,

I read the text (quoted below) as two type of front axles were found to be fitted, not that they were changed.
This could be explained by the fact that the Swiss were most likely supplied with a mixture of F60S and F30 trucks. Both had a 134 1/4" wheelbase. The first had a 3-ton rating and heavy axles (with 6" Front Axle Knuckles) and drive line components, while the F30 was rated at 1.5-tons and had lighter axles (with 4 7/8" Front Axle Knuckles) and drive line components.

I cannot explain the differences in transfer cases and winches, though. But someone on this forum will, surely.

HTH,
Hanno

... here is a period pic from the "Handbuch für Truppensattler" (manual for saddlers), dated 1954. It shows a Blitz with registration no M+37125.

Greetings
Chris

in the background

... a parked F60S along a Saurer/FBW/Berna and GMC. Notice the Sherman tank between the Blitz and Saurer. Therefore pic (most likely) taken in Thun.

Still in service in 1968

Still in use in1968. From FB:

Quote:

WK 1968 mit Ford Canada F-60 S / Geländelastwagen 2,0 t 4x4
Attachment 133023

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra (Post 291280)

Still in use in1968. From FB:

With winch?

Quote:

Originally Posted by m606paz (Post 291281)

With winch?

The LAATs were fitted with a chassis winch, the Derrick trucks were not.

Kuno Gross wrote 'here in Switzerland they were known as "Ford Canada"'.

Here you can see them serving in their primary role as tractor for 10,5cm howitzers.

Attachment 133372

Ford Canada at the military museum at Full.

Before / After :

Attachment 135139 Attachment 135140

Kuno wrote:

"I am not sure, if we have here a real "Swiss CMP", probably not - but it is definitely on display in Switzerland, in the privately owned "Miltaermuseum Wildegg":"

Attachment 135141 Attachment 135142 Attachment 135143 Attachment 135144

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra (Post 293663)

Kuno wrote:

"I am not sure, if we have here a real "Swiss CMP", probably not - but it is definitely on display in Switzerland, in the privately owned "Miltaermuseum Wildegg":"

That's an F-15A which was imported about 25 years ago from Austria. So she has no Swiss Connection.

Chris it's good to see you posting again. I have some questions for you about the Militärrad 93 that I have. I will PM you in the next few days.
Cheers,
Barry

Hi Chris

"That's an F-15A which was imported about 25 years ago from Austria. So she has no Swiss Connection.
__________________
Swiss Chris aka Christoph Zimmerli - Driving Switzerland's only Aussie F15"

Taking your signature - would that mean that this is your F15?

Hi Chris, good to see you back on here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuno (Post 293784)

Taking your signature - would that mean that this is your F15?

No - Chris has an F15 which is the 4x2 version of the 4x4 truck you posted above.

Saurer 2 CM next to Ford F60S LAAT

Attachment 135661

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra (Post 294110)

Saurer 2 CM next to Ford F60S LAAT

Attachment 135661

How can you tell that it is a LAAT Body?

Here are 3 pics from the same collection (Saurer Archiv), chassis only:
left side
right side
back side

The Swiss Red Cross used a lot of GMC AFKWX and a handfull Chevrolet C-60L, shortly after the war. Mostly for relief runs to Germany.

Here's a nice pic: https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14734

https://media.avarchives.icrc.org/im...216-11_500.JPG