Thanks! I have in fact got a photo from Bovington (# 718/D2) of a 250-gallon petrol tanker CS8T. This is from the Third, 1936 Report of the WD Mechanization Board:
Quote:
|
The C.S.8T Series III was a standard WD truck (one ton useful load) developed from the Series I and II referred to in the 1935 Report. As the design was approaching finality a full description appeared in the 1936 Report. The chassis was constructed as far as possible from standard commercial components, and had a standard wood body. The engine was a six-cylinder 3,485 litre petrol engine developing 63.5 bhp and maximum torque of 1,740 lbs/inches, driving through a four-speed gearbox to a bevel drive rear axle. The tyres were 9.00-16 cross-country tread and combined with a 3.2-ton gvw implied a tractive effort of 1,250 lbs/ton and power:weight ratio of 19.5 bhp/ton. Average road fuel consumption was 11.5 mpg; tank capacity was 22 gallons. Trials commenced at Farnborough with a WD vehicle and then further tests in North Wales and Farnborough with two randomly-selected WD vehicles from a then-current contract. The production models’ successful reliability and performance equalled the pilot model. Experience with Series I and II trucks in Egypt indicated a mere 1,600 miles life of the engine and so Vokes C.5 air cleaners were fitted consequently, with WD-pattern air cleaners on subsequent production. Dustproof carburettors replaced the original type and crankcase oil fillers were connected to the carburettor intake. A few cases of front axle failure in Egypt were rectified by a replacement stronger pattern. Trials had been conducted in 1936 with a 250-gallon Thompson Bros. (Bilston) Ltd petrol tank and 190-gallon water tank. In both cases the rear axle exceeded that which occurred with the normal one-ton load and the frame members were damaged through contact with the rear axle casing. Further running was carried out with stronger and progressive rear springs and double-actimng shock absorbers. During the year trials took place by Fisher & Ludlow Ltd steel body on a truck chassis, which proved satisfactory but the proposal, with justification, raised questions of wartime steel supply and the facilities for field repair, which were then under investigation. During the year contracts for 1,597 of these chassis were placed: 59 with drawbar gear for towing the 2-pounder anti-tank gun and 44 with cavalry portee bodies (Z 354970 to 355013 under contract V.2911).
|
I have just been sent a scan of the original photo and the detail is amazing! The Census Number is evidently Z 39 etc., which means three possibilities as to the contract number.