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Douglas Reid 09-04-20 18:28

General Crerar
 
Can anyone help with details of the markings of Gen. Crerar's Diamond T caravan/command vehicle? I'm looking for placement of Allied stars, bridge weight marking, 1st Canadian Army badge and also the overall colour. Was it overall olive drab or did it have the "Mickey mouse"scheme? Lastly, was this vehicle preserved and, if so, are there any pictures of it?
Many thanks

rob love 09-04-20 19:44

1 Attachment(s)
The truck and map trailer were returned to Canada, and was going to be used for post war events. However, apparently the army felt differently, and the truck languished for several years. The box was sold off, and purchased by a tobacco farmer who was going to use it to house seasonal workers.



The van body was found by Bill Gregg in the 70s, and was part of the collection that went to Shilo in the mid 80s. It was married to a softop Diamond T (Bill Gregg's wrecker) and restoration of the box was sent downtown as a major project. This was in the mid to late 90s.By that time, any markings were lost, and the vehicle painted in the usual post war gloss green. Around 2014, a hardtop Diamond T was purchased and brought up from California, which will eventually have the body transferred onto it. The new truck is still a slightly earlier model, but should present better than the soft top example.



I was just starting to install new tires onto the truck last month before this Covid stuff sent us all home. It was to be part of the temporary exhibit at the museum for VE day. Short of an absolute miracle, that will now be delayed.



The map trailer still exists at the Cdn War Museum. There was discussion about a year back about repatriating the two together.



I know there is a decent wartime photo of the overall truck parked in a group at the museum. There are also some close up shots of the back of the truck, but most of it is blocked by the other Generals or visitors. I have also seen a photo or two of the map trailer from the side. I look forward to see what other responses you get on this query.

Jordan Baker 10-04-20 13:44

1 Attachment(s)
Found these pictures of the inside.

Alex van de Wetering 22-04-20 00:39

Rob, does the truck have a "CH" prefix in the picture you posted?

Alex

rob love 22-04-20 01:00

I am pretty sure it is. , The current truck it is sitting on has had the CH number put on it's doors. A link to a short article: https://museums.ca/site/reportsandpu...g2020_artefact

Alex van de Wetering 22-04-20 11:00

Hi Rob,

I always assumed Crerars Caravan was built on a long wheelbase 975 chassis, but given the "CH" prefix and the fact that the census is close to another 969 Wrecker seen in a period picture.....I now wonder if it could have been built on a stretched 969 wrecker chassis in stead(?)

The caravan will no doubt benefit from the new donor Diamond with the closed cab.

By the way.....Jordan, awesome pictures!

Alex

Alex van de Wetering 23-04-20 00:06

1 Attachment(s)
Here is a picture of Crerar with a Diamond T in the background....what I presume is his caravan with the closed cab and "CH" prefix to the census number.

source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/d...rows=1&page=13

Alex

David Dunlop 23-04-20 01:25

Hi Alex.

Might not be the same truck.

Note the census number is right under the window, whereas on the photo Rob has in Post 2, it is nearly mid-door.

David

Alex van de Wetering 24-04-20 10:43

David,

Good point! I missed that......so it's either another truck or it was repainted at some stage(?)

Ed Storey 24-04-20 12:24

Diamond T
 
Or perhaps the photograph was taken while the General was visiting another unit which is also equipped with Diamond T trucks.

David Dunlop 24-04-20 13:57

You are probably right, Ed. The General is clearly dressed for travel, and when you look at the driver mirror arms on the two photos of the Diamond T’s, the General’s driver has the mirror head set very high, near the top of the door. The one in the second photo is set very low, about one quarter way up from the sill.

David

Alex van de Wetering 24-04-20 14:07

1 Attachment(s)
Attached is another picture of the Diamond T, from Wheels&Tracks magazine no.7, which has an article on the collection of Bill Gregg.

Quote:

Or perhaps the photograph was taken while the General was visiting another unit which is also equipped with Diamond T trucks.
Sorry Ed; that's what I was meaning to say. Possibly a Diamond that has nothing to do with Crerar.

I do wonder if others can comment on the "CH" prefix.....wouldn't CL be more appropriate if the truck was based on a Diamond T975 chassis?

Ed Storey 24-04-20 14:36

General Crerar's Caravan
 
Judging by the last image posted, it looks like the truck did get a repaint.

lincwel 29-04-20 03:28

not Diamond T
 
1 Attachment(s)
Attachment 113665 This probably ran in his convoy

lincwel 29-04-20 03:40

tac sign
 
Just noticed tac signs on rear flaps
First army right rear
Left rear seams to have a 9 in circle over white bar
any thoughts?

Bruce Parker (RIP) 29-04-20 04:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by lincwel (Post 269076)
Just noticed tac signs on rear flaps
First army right rear
Left rear seams to have a 9 in circle over white bar
any thoughts?

No circle, just a white 9 on a black rectangle with a white bar. 9 equals top dog and black is for HQ.

lincwel 29-04-20 04:24

thanks
 
Thanks Bruce I thought it was a niner call sign but couldn't see the rectangle. thought it looked like circle. I knew that ADC in pic
Craig

Michael R. 30-04-20 23:28

5 Attachment(s)
Crerar caravan interiors by Lt. Smith, 30 April, 1944.
Photo credits LAC Canada.
Sourced by J. Baker, see previous post.

David Dunlop 30-04-20 23:41

That is a great shot in Post #14 of the rear end of the 3-ton CMP component of Crerar’s office vehicle train. You can just make out the left rear quarter of this truck in the group photo posted earlier.

Is it correct this particular 3-Ton CMP never made it back to Canada? Just the Diamond T and Trailer?

Such a unique set of vehicles!

David

rob love 01-05-20 00:24

I have seen some photos at work where there are several of the 3 tons converted to office/caravan vehicles. It may have well been a semi-standardized conversion.


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