demobbed CMPs
 

I will probably be shot at dawn but did we have a thread on CMPs in civvy use if so damned if i can find it so i will pop these in here and they can be moved if required. The converted 15 cwt breakdown i spotted at the Bedford Gathering last year and the shortened and converted crane was originally a 3 tonner and is still used by a old friend for constructing farm buildings these photos were taken on our first local gathering road run
cheers
Les

Great photos Les. That second truck looks like Simon's modified CGT. Good to see it's been put back to work!

Hanno

A cuple more for this thread, the first is really a militry subject but i could not think where to put it its one of the CMPs modified by the Isrealis to a armoured truck the second is another 15cwt converted to a recovery and based in Donnington
cheers
Les

Sorry to nit pick Les but the 15cwt is actually a Chev Field Artillery Tractor. Look at the rear body closer

Looks like a cut down CGT 25-pdr gun tractor to me.

Great pics Les, thanks!

H.

Demobs
 

I have a few lo-res shots from the COMMERCIAL MOTOR archives. I have been through 29,000 photos and extracted the ex-CMPs. However I was gobsmacked at how many flat-front Bedfords were in use even up to the 1960s.

Yes guys i should have known that, the wheels are a give away for a start thanks
cheers
Les

Ford 15cwt converted to a civvy breakdown by Henlys one of the largest motor agents in the south, very little change to the cab and chassis

Henlys
 

Where the heck were Henlys in Brentford? They had a large dealership (Austin, etc) at Henlys Corner, Hounslow, the roundabout where the A4 Bath Road meets the top of the A30 Great South West Road round the corner from where we lived. The truck must be outside another dealership about five miles east or so on the Great West Road at Brentford near Lincoln Cars. Performance Cars (MG and sports cars), Mercedes-Benz HQ, Ramblers (at Chiswick roundabout), etc. and of course the late lamented Firestone factory. I'll ask Dad tomorrow!

Down by Gunnersbury Park, opened in 1937, building was used by Martini in 1950 then Fiat 1978.

http://www.brentford.inuk.com/hgwest7.htm

http://www.brentford.inuk.com/henly.htm

Memories!
 

Such sweet memories of The Golden Mile, before the M4 elevated motorway.
As I said Ken Matthews was in the canteen at the time and should not have been there. This must have been on eof the last V2s to have been launched.

Nice nostalgic shot in London of a CMP 15cwt recovery, sorry cant make out who the owner was due to the angle of the photo
cheers
Les

Great!
 

The rego appears to be a London 1947 one, and is that a Humber behind? The location for those who don't know is Parliament Square, and behind is St Jame's Clocktower, aka Big Ben (the big bell in the tower). Behind the photographer and to the right is Westminster Abbey. The view is facing south towards the Thames. It appears that behind is an Austin FX3 taxi and behind that an Austin 12hp taxi? The FX3 appears to have a LL- rego so that dates it to at least 1950.

The phone number on the wrecker appears to be AMB 4141..AMB... exchange. Don't know that one! Sorry....in those days exchanges used the first three letters of the exchange, e.g. MAYfair 1234.

A couple more photos of civilianised CMPs in the UK
cheers
Les

Two ex Tyler machines used by a friend for many years erecting farm buildings but now relegated to yard use and restoration

This picture came my way long ago in a pile of old photos and cuttings, the only photos i have seen of CMPs converted to buses is in the Far East Burma etc, were some converted and used in Malta early after thewar

Two ex army Quads recovering a steam road roller that took a fancy to offroading

whoops, should have said the one behind is the CMP, in front a quad Ant