Surplus in 1946
 

Found this pic on the State Library of Victoria site :

circa 1946 army trucks for sale . Looks like Bandiana to me .

pic number : an15987

Mike

tow
 

Bacchus Marsh tow truck outside Melbourne Uni .

pic number a39664

yanks
 

Yanks sitting in their Jeeps , probably in Melbourne .

pic number an016651

The thing about this pic that really hits me is the distinct lack of traffic on the road . Wonder what this particular spot looks like today and how much traffic is evident now .

dog face
 

The dog faced PFC is in trouble as Colonel has found a loose nut , notice his side kick writing down everything ....

an016687

I just noticed , the trucks in background are 1/2 ton Dodge closed cab pickups . Notice the single piece tube between the radiator and head inlet , unique to slatt grill WILLYS MB's .

Mike

Great finds, Mike
 

Here's another from that series, same source:

Guys,
Have you also noticed the addition of towing hooks, mounted on the chassis rails, on all but the first jeep. Great pictures.
Keith

When you take a closer look you can also see the lifting rings on the Jeeps, typical for USMC. :)

Hendrik

The shot with the General pointing into the jeep engine compartment is interesting. That jeep has very early production solid rims and a pancake air cleaner. But the lower radiator hose is the later type with a short sections of rubber at the ends of steel tubing. The upper hose is the normal all rubber early pattern though. The first jeep in the shot where they have hooks has a combat rim in the front.

Where there captions or dates with the photos?

Have you also noticed that they are all Wilies and as Horsa said early production, plastic steering wheels, no black out light, no jerry cans and no rifle buckets.
USMC jeeps never had stars, (so I am told)
This photo backs that up.
Why has the jeep to the left of the Colonel have a W in front of the hood number?
Thanks for sharing these great photo's Mike.
Jeff

War dpt.
 

I think the 'W' prefix was for war dept. The early lettering was in a blue drab , rather than white , which is probaly what's on those Jeeps .

Many of the pics on the SLV web site are credited to either the Age or the Argus newspapers . The Argus went under in the 1950's , but the Age is still with us .

At one point in time , the USMC had some units down on the Mornington peninsula , they practised amphibious landings around the beaches of Dromana and Mt Martha in Port Phillip bay . Would have been quite a sight .

Here's a pic of Americans training somewhere in Victoria . The Eucalypt /gum saplings are evident on the Jeeps .

an016613

Mike

welbike
 

Scene at a disposals auction .

Kid on his newly aquired WELBIKE ?

Welbike
 

Lovely photo of a Welbike Mike. Can you read the WD number on the original photo? I ask because I just bought a Welbike out of Australia from the nephew of the original owner. It whould arrive right about Remembrance Day (Nov. 11)

Can I order and pay for a proper print of the photo?

COLIN STEVENS

Richmond, BC, Canada

pic
 

Hi Colin

this is the link to the source:

http://sinpic.slv.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin...26171234&SID=1

If the photo is for your own research then you might as well save it and print the image yourself.

Welbike heading to Canada - have fun with it and don't fall off it.

Mike

more
 

another pic shows 1940 Chevrolets with 18" wheels

http://sinpic.slv.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin...al&BBID=141726

more
 

Thiess Bros. later imported Toyota Land Cruisers into Aust.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...ew%20guinea%22

Disposals
 

Those gentle slopes look like it may be Moorebank in Sydney.

3rd Australian Vehicle Ordnance Park, at North Ryde or Marsfield:

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=12048