C8AX production

[Mike K]

Yes the spare wheel bolted onto a crude bracket inside the tub , forward end . will look for the drawings. The tyres were 9.25 x16 low profile from memory

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Nice line-up of C8AX's, and other CMP trucks:

chevrolet_cmp_2.jpg

[Lynn Eades]

Nice image Hanno. I wonder if NZ24990 is a survivor?
Is the 4th one a radio shack?

[David Dunlop]

Interesting to see the different tyre mounting variation on the first vehicle compared to the rest in the lineup.

David

[Lynn Eades]

The front one is set up for longer tyre life on road, the other two for running in mud. Reality is" put those wheels on those trucks...............at the double!"

[Tony Smith]

What are the markings on the door? Not the NZ number, but beside it. I might be inclined to believe it says "TF"

It location looks very well like it could be GM NZ at Petone, might these be newly assembled trucks for delivery?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Nice image Hanno. I wonder if NZ24990 is a survivor?
Is the 4th one a radio shack?

Lynn, yes the 4th one is a W/T truck. It looks further down the line are Wheeled Armoured Carriers.

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

What are the markings on the door? Not the NZ number, but beside it. I might be inclined to believe it says "TF"

It location looks very well like it could be GM NZ at Petone, might these be newly assembled trucks for delivery?

Mark Arnott mentioned "NZ Army loading up for the voyage to Korea..." Source: Wellington Evening post.

H.

[dcrfan]

I was reading this thread when i learnt there was a C8AX ambulance with a slightly lengthened body. I have been aware of this very poor photo showing an RNZAF ambulance at Jacquinot Bay in 1944. I alway thought the body looked a bit long for 8/15cwt but not long enough for 30cwt.

fullsizeoutput_189f by tankienz, on Flickr

Then a few nights ago I found this photo on the RNZAF Museum website showing RNZAF units departing Green Island for Jacquinot Bay. This led me to search this site. So proof at least one served overseas.

PR6736.t5ea48e08.m600.xAnfr-P3H by tankienz, on Flickr

[Rob Beale]

These last two posts help fill the gaps in written accounts as only pics can do!

The pics of C8AX ambulances prove that they were landed on the Solomon Islands captured by 3 NZ Division.
Until now I had only seen a pic of ambulances on Guadalcanal which in 1943 was the forward base from where the amphibious assaults were mounted.
The war histories of the army medical units state they removed the red crosses as the Japanese would target them!

The line up of vehicles going to Korea with K Force is interesting as one contingent with 163 Battery RNZA was aboard an old inter-island ferry named Wahine which ran aground on an island to the north of Australia in 1950.
All the men were rescued by a tanker nearby but all the vehicles and 25 pdrs went down with the ship.
A gunner was decorated for diving into the holds to disable the guns a point of honour as the guns are their colours!

(Another inter-island ferry called Wahine foundered in Wellington Harbour in 1968 with serious loss of life)

Rob

[Hanno Spoelstra]

From another page:

Comments by Rob Beale:

Clues to identify the location and date:- Soldiers hats (lemon squeezers) have a coloured band which identifies their Corps. The cap badge identifies the Corps (or Regiment if Infantry). The number plate has a symbol centre bottom - 1941-46 was a white diamond on a black plate. 1951-56 was a white comma on a black plate

The ambulance has an 18 inch extension at the tail of the chassis for the longer deck. The tailgate is a folding step. Upper stretcher frames fold down for seated cases (as with LH side in pic while RH frame is raised). Tare weight is 2 ton 15 cwt versus 2 ton 10 cwt for GS truck


92430231_2786344354734469_3162512328465842176_n.jpg