Chevrolet 1533X2 30-cwt trucks

[Charlie Down]

Hi, this is my first venture into MLU, just joined today as advised by Hanno. I am currently trying to get a set of drawings of the floor and cab area including the dashboard completed for the LRDG Chevrolet 1533X2 truck on the basis that we don't know much specific detail about it. On the spec above it stated that the trucks would have a PTO air pump, but have never seen one being used. I have so far got details of the actual pump and its location, I know what the airline looks like and the connector, but have no idea where the airline runs to from the pump and whether it comes out in the cab or somewhere else. The cab makes sense as it's central to all 4 wheels, but there is no photo evidence of it's location on the LRDG trucks. I know the pump and airline were a standard accessory, was its fitting and location also standard?

[Grant Bowker]

This doesn't apply directly to the 1533x2:
When fitted to a Chevrolet CMP, the pump is driven by PTO attached to the left side of the transmission, engaged by twisting a rod with slot in the end using a screwdriver or similar tool through a hole in the floor. On CMP, the air output line ran to a fitting mounted on the frame rail adjacent to the pump. Based on the photos of the trucks, the frame rail isn't readily accessible so either an extension to the airline, relocation of the line or an access door would be needed. One of the photos in post #19 above shows a couple of projections on the filler panel between running board and cab (at the forward edge) that might be an air fitting. I hope someone with more knowledge can give you a better answer.

[Charlie Down]

Thanks for the reply Grant. Based on the information you gave I had a good look at my 200 odd LRDG truck photo's. I looked at the area below and around the door frame, as you suggested. The running board on most LRDG trucks was loaded with stowage, quite often running its length, with extra boxes, spare wheel on the Breda gun trucks and cans stowed in front of the standard rack containing 3 x 2 gallon POW cans. This means that if the airline came out in this area on a vertical surface the stowage would block access, which doesn't make sense. This left the horizontal steps, which don't show up well in photos, due to the canvas door at the front, stowage at the rear, troopers in the way etc. However I did find this intriguing photo of a 20mm Breda gun truck having a tyre change. A trooper seems to be lifting a flap on the step, which ties in with your comments, would give the crew access when the running board was heavily stowed, is central to the vehicle and explains why its not visible in the other photos. Would this be a possible solution to the question? Does it make sense considering standard fitting on other vehicles? Also would there be one on the other side too? Are there any photos of this arrangement on other MCP Chevrolets?
Annoyingly I've looked at this photo a hundred times and never noticed that detail!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I think you have cracked the nut, Charlie!

Please post that other photo of the tyre inflation too.

[Charlie Down]

You mean this one Hanno? And thank you Hanno for your help and advice.

Here's what could be the only photo of the PTO air compressor being used on a LRDG truck. Unfortunately you can't see where the airline goes, but it could be under the truck to the connector on the LHS of the cab. I like to think so....

Does anyone have photo's of the relevant area LHS lower door frame and running board ) to show confirmation and details of the flap covering the airline connector. Could finally solve 78 year old mystery!

[Charlie Down]

As an after thought. If there was a flap below the LHS door in the bodywork, was it a standard fitting and therefore wouldn't there be a replacement piece of bodywork with a flap in it to fit the compressor kit? If so, it would be in a catalogue, vehicle manual, or something similar. Does anyone have that information, and could you post the picture or details to finally put this to bed please. TIA

[Charlie Down]

In this photo there seems to be an outline of a flap, maybe a knockout plate on a MCP Chevrolet Truck. Its quite faint. I hope that the PTO compressor kit came with a modified panel as shown to allow a flap to be fitted discreetly to a truck.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by Charlie Down

You mean this one Hanno? And thank you Hanno for your help and advice.

Here's what could be the only photo of the PTO air compressor being used on a LRDG truck. Unfortunately you can't see where the airline goes, but it could be under the truck to the connector on the LHS of the cab. I like to think so....

Does anyone have photo's of the relevant area LHS lower door frame and running board ) to show confirmation and details of the flap covering the airline connector. Could finally solve 78 year old mystery!

Am I imagining things, or is that an air-line going up the front of the seat riser? Looks like it might fit down into the space below the seat (I am referring to the photo in post #114 above).

[Grant Bowker]

Based on my belief that only one air outlet was provided on Chevrolet CMPs equipped with the air pump, it would surprise me if there were more than one provided on a MCP. Not saying it is impossible, just seems unlikely. I would have expected them to run the hose around the truck, under the truck, or through the cab - whichever seemed easiest to the crew at the time.