RCAF vehicles in domestic service

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another CMP in service with the RCAF, a GM C60X with census number 37-098.

Are my eyes deceiving me or does this C60X have it chassis and mudguards painted black?!?

"RCAF M.T. lorry, exterior view, 21 July 1943"
a064609-v8.jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3582986

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Are my eyes deceiving me or does this C60X have it chassis and mudguards painted black?!?

I agree Hanno...it looks like the chassis, fenders and even inner fenders and bumper might be painted gloss black.....matching the colour scheme of the other vehicles you posted. But...indeed 1943....seems a bit unusual (late) for this paint scheme. I am not saying the date on the picture is wrong.....I think it's more likely that (some) vehicles for domestic use were still being painted in the pre-war paint scheme(?).

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

I agree Hanno...it looks like the chassis, fenders and even inner fenders and bumper might be painted gloss black.....matching the colour scheme of the other vehicles you posted. But...indeed 1943....seems a bit unusual (late) for this paint scheme. I am not saying the date on the picture is wrong.....I think it's more likely that (some) vehicles for domestic use were still being painted in the pre-war paint scheme(?).

Thanks for the confirmation, Alex. It is my understanding that RCAF vehicles for domestic use were painted in the pre-war colour scheme as specified by the RCAF. This could be blue/black, yellow or red for airside vehicles or just plain black for administrative vehicles like light cars.

The gloss paint is easier to maintain and black is carried as a standard colour by all manufacturers. Of course, vehicles like CMPs trucks came in the standard flat Army colours. The C60S tipper shown above still had that colour by 1949 (see below).

So I reckon that GM C60X in RCAF blue/black must have been one of very few thus repainted!


Some samples shown below:

Colour: gloss black
Door marking: R.C.A.F. No 2000 RE
"1941 Chevrolet - staff car with flag, 18 June 1941"
a063852-v8.jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3581798

Colour: yellow with black chassis and fenders
Door marking: R.C.A.F. No 345
"Ford refuelling truck, 4 May 1943"
a065171-v8.jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3589506

Colour: Khaki Green G3 / S.C.C.2 brown / S.C.C.15 Olive Drab (you tell me, but it is flat paint)
Census number: 36-405
"M.T. vehicle, truck - 2 ton dump, 25 Jan. 1949"
a066152-v8(1).jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3584200

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some types like this Aerodrome Control Car had a different paint scheme specified for later contracts (or were repainted during the course of their service).

This International Aerodrome Control Car was first painted airside yellow with a black roof to minimise glare for the air traffic controllers.

"R.C.A.F. Mechanical Transport Vehicle,12 Apr. 1943"
Census: R.C.A.F. No 4925
a065200-v8.jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3586779

The next picture shows the same type of truck in a flat drab paint of some sort with white panels.

"RCAF Station - Aerodrome Control Car, 14 Mar. 1944"
Census: R.C.A.F. 35-725 BY
a136730-v8.jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3199203

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A nice line up of administrative vehicles in black, RCAF motor transport in blue/black, airside vehicles in yellow and fire trucks in red.

Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, International, and most likely a few other makes thrown in as well. Wish this was a colour photo!

"Group photo line-up of Rockcliffe M.T. vehicles, 04-Jul-44"
a068021-v8.jpg
Source: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...Number=3583342

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

It is my understanding that RCAF vehicles for domestic use were painted in the pre-war colour scheme as specified by the RCAF. This could be blue/black, yellow or red for airside vehicles or just plain black for administrative vehicles like light cars.

Good point Hanno; that's new to me. I was responding with the RAF "rules" in mind...not realising there is a big difference between domestic UK and domestic Canada.....with UK being under constant threat from the air, especially in the early part of the war!

Andre Gibeault's C60X is painted in RCAF gloss blue and black for chassis. I understand that since Andre's passing, his collection has moved to Borden.
Attached is a picture borrowed from Flickr.

30817443077_b9fec60c36_h.jpg
source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/736834...43077/sizes/l/

[maple_leaf_eh]

My father's uncle James Earl Findlay (1911 - 1991) was a Merlin engine mechanic in 410 Cougar Squadron during the war. I note that his headstone says he was a Cpl, but he never mentioned that. I do remember asking him about his service and how he got around on the airfield. Did he have a Jeep? No he laughed. He had a bicycle with a basket for his tool bag.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

My father's uncle James Earl Findlay (1911 - 1991) was a Merlin engine mechanic in 410 Cougar Squadron during the war. I note that his headstone says he was a Cpl, but he never mentioned that. I do remember asking him about his service and how he got around on the airfield. Did he have a Jeep? No he laughed. He had a bicycle with a basket for his tool bag.

Ah yes, the venerable bicycle, the most underestimated and forgotten military vehicle....

Could not even find a photo of bicycles used by the RCAF in Canada, so here's one to illustrate their use:

"Pilots of the 353rd “Thunderbolts” fighter group leave a briefing, passing bicycles propped against adjacent buildings. IWM FRE 366"
pic33.jpg
Via: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/set-of-wheels

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Good point Hanno; that's new to me. I was responding with the RAF "rules" in mind...not realising there is a big difference between domestic UK and domestic Canada.....with UK being under constant threat from the air, especially in the early part of the war!

Andre Gibeault's C60X is painted in RCAF gloss blue and black for chassis. I understand that since Andre's passing, his collection has moved to Borden.

I forgot about Gibeault's blue C60X. I wonder where he got the information about the colour scheme?

Here's another picture of a RCAF CMP. Painted yellow and with census no. 57K63-A43, I'd say this is a post-war truck.

3433317310_72fc8ed29e_h.jpg
Source: https://flic.kr/p/6eoDC3

[Ed Storey]

Wartime photographs show that a number of different UK bicycle brands were employed on RCAF airfields during the SWW. Attached are two photographs, one showing a stationary type as used in rehabilitation centres and the other of a RCAF bicycle display team during a practice session.

RCAF Bicycle [1].jpg

RCAF Bicycle [2].jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

”RCAF stake truck and trailer recovering an RCAF Lysander after a forced landing near Nobel, Ontario, 1940. Photo courtesy of the Comox Air Force Museum WO CD Cunningham collection via Mike Kaehler.“

16EA4B43-AF72-4794-8901-6B7D639A912D.jpeg