Commer Q2: Truck, 15-cwt, 4x2, Van

[Hanno Spoelstra]

As posted over on HMVF: https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/45701-somet...t-follow-amos/

LarryH57: This Commer Q2 has a base coat of M.T. Special Shade No.2, (the RAF version of SCC.2) but instead of Brown Dark (MT) 1A or Paint, P.F.U., Black Matt, it has the camo as Green No. 3

CommerQ2withgreencamoroof.jpg.jpg

RAFMT: You need to be very careful trying to judge shade from period colour film as it is notoriously crap actually picking up what is in front of it. Having said that, depending on when this vehicle was painted, and when the image was taken, there could be any number of reasons it doesn't fit right in. For a start, while the paint for canvas and those for wood/metal were colour matched as closely as possible they will weather differently and if the canvas needs to be replaced they wont necessarily repaint the whole vehicle just to match the newly painted canvas.

To me, that's a Brown, Special, No.2 with Black, Quick Drying, Matt Finish, which has, a: fade slightly; and b: the faded colour shows up funny on the old colour film.

[KevinHann]

There do seem to be quite a few period images of RAF Q2's. You never know, there maybe survivors hidden away somewhere. We have a wartime airfield near to us still with in situ pillboxes etc, would be nice to take a truck like this there.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some scans of Commer vehicles in the RAF AP2782/ AP2782A publication:

"The recording and publication of RAF MT Vehicle data in a dedicated document does not appear to have been undertaken until the middle of WW2 when AP2782 was issued" - read more here https://www.rafweb.org/Vehicles/AP27...1P_General.htm

Cars_Commer_Q2.gif R.gif

R (1).gif Tractors_Commer8ft.gif

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by KevinHann

There do seem to be quite a few period images of RAF Q2's. You never know, there maybe survivors hidden away somewhere. We have a wartime airfield near to us still with in situ pillboxes etc, would be nice to take a truck like this there.

Hi Kevin, I started this thread to collect photos of the Commer Q2 15-cwt Van. If you have any more, please share them here.

There is a certain quirkiness about the Q2 Van which I fancy. As far as I have been able to ascertain to date - see https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/15212-joe-h...ard-molesworth for example - there are no survivors.
I have a long term plan to restore/ reconstruct one from a chassis/cab as I think it would be a great tribute to the many aircrews which it carried to aircraft to undertake their dangerous missions. And also because I find that RAF vehicles are a little underexposed.

Screenshot_20230607_093326_YouTube.jpg

[KevinHann]

Another coach built Q2 body.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Poor Commer....

source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcusnYFHdPE