Did this Truck Type See Military Service

[Rusty]

I have found this International 4 x 4 truck and wonder if they ever saw military service. You can see that the vehicle was once a bush fire truck but could it also have been a 1950s general service 4 x 4.

I am going to buy the unit because it uses the same rims as the Toy Dodge the rest is very complete so if anyone is interested let me know.

[cliff]

I would say it was just a civilian truck and not military.

[Lang]

Originally Posted by cliff

I would say it was just a civilian truck and not military.

Rusty,

The Army had lots of this series 4X2 Inters in various sizes but the only 4X4 I have ever seen was a ready response camp fire truck at Greenbank army camp in the early 60's. Even then it was not an army vehicle but a Department of Supply vehicle on Commonwealth registration plates.

The Army did have quite a number of this size civilian cab 4X4 Inter in the 1960's and 70's (with the later flat bonnet). They belonged to the Engineers and all had tipper bodies and winches. I seem to recall that the Sappers really liked their little "Teaspoon Tippers".

I can remember PMG (Telecom/Telstra) having your 50's model truck for line work and when I worked for a short time for Western Geophysical in the desert in Western Australia in the mid-60's I drove one that they had bought from a Government auction.

Others might have more info but my guess would be it was never military - but a great old truck in any case!

Lang

[Bill Murray]

Hi Mark:

I can speak with no authority about such trucks being used in Australian service as a 4X4 but they were about as 4X2 versions.

Sadly, I packed away most of my post WWII collection about 10 years ago when I decided to concentrate on the 1935-1945 period but I do recall this vehicle in 4X4 form used by other countries and maybe even Australia.

If I can find my IH postwar stuff and find further photos, I will post them here.

Bill

[Lang]

Here are a couple of photos of the Australian Army International 4X4 "Teaspoon Tipper" with civilian cab. Note they all had winches as well.

One photo from Nui Dat in Vietnam and one from Sabah in Borneo - both photos from the 60's

lang

[hrpearce]

I have one of those tipping bodies fitted to an old Chev, nothing stays in them as they tip to virtical. It came off an Inter that was used as a fire truck.