West Aust. photo archive

[Mike K]

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b2386669_7

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...2388500_12.jpg
Runway sweepers ?

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...2388500_19.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...2388500_35.jpg

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b6096218_5.jpg


https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...b6096218_7.jpg
Not seen the unusual triangle camo before. Somebody has bent the rules and applied some artistic license !

https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...2391113_12.jpg
'Follow me' jeep and army Ford (?) staff cars . The Plymouth sedans have a similar side profile.

[Mike K]

Further investigation reveals what could be a 41 Ford , the long marker lights on the top of front guards are unique to this year. Looks like the RAAF used these Fords. Or could it be a visiting army vehicle ? The number is partly visible ?15?25

[Mike K]

The 'Follow Me' jeep is a early script Willys MB that has been retrofitted with the trailer socket. My early MB had the same mod done.

[Mike K]

Could this be a G-506 Chevy bomb carrier. It has a strange U prefix reg. number

Windscreen doesn't look correct ?

[Mike Cecil]

U prefix is a USASOS vehicle obtained under Reverse Lend Lease/Reciprocal Lend Lease.

[Mike K]

This jeep appears to be a GPW, the shock mounts and the front spring clips are typical of a GPW.

Also noticed the Black swan unit sign, it is a West. Aust. scene so that does add up.

The trailer is a U.S. pattern Bantam/Willys.

1953.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

U prefix is a USASOS vehicle obtained under Reverse Lend Lease/Reciprocal Lend Lease.

Yes . The Americans may have got the truck from the reverse Lend-Lease scheme and then loaned the truck back to the RAAF ?

Those 'U' numbers - they were usually seen on locally assembled Aust. pattern vehicles i.e. RHD staff cars . But anything is possible. Going through the AWM 126 you see some vehicles that were transferred to the U.S. forces in Australia, including CMPs .

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Mike posted this pic earlier.
This was one of two Civilian Champ's involved in a major undertaking in Western Australia.
In January of 1954 the Surveyor General of Western Australia tasked John F Morgan with surveys, classification and topographical study of the virtually uninhabited North Kimberley Region in the far North of the state. (Some 15 000 square miles)
The list of equipment used for the 20 strong expedition:
Two Austin Champs (WN3) with trailers
Two Austin K9 30cwt 4x4 trucks
A GMC 6x6 and Willy’s Jeep and trailer supplied by the Australian Army
Bulldozer and grader with a 4x2 stores truck for road making
25 pack donkeys, 4 pack mules and 13 horses.
Portable 2way wireless units using the Royal Flying Doctor Service network where provided for communication between parties as well as the time signal needed for accurate surveying.
Supply was from the Avro Ansons belonging to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co who where then flying for the RFDS

In a National Geographic article (The last Horseback Explorer, March 10, 2010) John Morgan had this to say:
“Those Austin Champs were heavy and the dust would billow up through the cab and the driver would come out after a day’s drive absolutely choked and covered in dust.”


https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/download...70_1.jpg?agree