Vehicle Census Numbers: Ford GPA?

[Ian Grieve]

Gentlemen

Does anybody know if records are available of vehicle census numbers for Canadian vehicles through the 40's?

I am particularly interested in the numbers for the handfull of Ford GPA amphibious jeeps the Canadians ordered in 1943 and had in 1944 and 1945.

Ian

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Whilst I do not have any Canadian numbers, here's the British series in case that is of interest:

P ????? Contract SM 2621 4 x 0ff

P 5219692 to 5219876 Contract SM 2820 Amphibian 5 cwt 4x4
P 5219881 to 5219981 Contract SM 2820 Amphibian 5 cwt 4x4
P 5587101 to 5587200 Contract SM 2820 Amphibian 5 cwt 4x4

I have never seen a photo of a British GPA!

As to Canadian Census Numbers, I am not sure whether any definitive lists exist, but this has been discussed on MLU before.

[Rolf S. Ask]

David does the drivers uniform look british??

One of my photos..

Rolf

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Rolf, I am no expert at all..looks British to me thanks though!

[Rolf S. Ask]

I do not know when it was taken, but it looks like after June 6. 44...

Rolf

[Ian Grieve]

David

Great to catch up again.

The Canadians received 1 GPA in May, 1943 for testing, and a further 20 GPA's were ordered under Canadian Contract Demand LV-2538 on 18 June, 1943. The 20 GPA's were not delivered until early 1944. These GPA's probably never left Canada.

Three additional GPA's were held by Canadian Forces overseas, these being disposed of at Deelen Demobilization Vehicle Park just north of Arnhem, Netherlands after war's end.

There are several photos about of GPA's in British Service, particularly in a Brooklands publication. I would imagine there must be a number of photos of them at the IWM Photo Library.

You mentioned on the "Morris CS8 2 Pounder Portee" page of a visit to the RLC. It will be good to see what the record cards say of British Contract numbers (particularly for the GPA if you are able to assist). The Consolidated Key List will be a treasure.

Rolf

The GPA photo is brilliant. What is "RSA SAMLINGER"?

Ian

[Rolf S. Ask]

Ian

RSA Samlinger just means "Rolf S. Ask Collections" i.e. one of my private photos.
There are no date or anything else on the back of the photo.
The only thing that might identify the place must be what seems to look like a pier in the left back ground.

Rolf

[Ian Grieve]

Rolf

Do you have other GPA photos in your collection?

Ian

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Here is a picture of a Ford GPA with census number P5219935. This is an in-theatre transfer from British stocks. As far as I know only one Canadian GPA was shipped to Europe.

Caption: "Personnel of the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars transferring from a "Seep" (waterized jeep) vehicle to the Chevrolet C15A truck which serves as the unit's bus, Weener, Germany, 13 February 1946."



Source: LAC

[Ian Grieve]

Hanno

I have spent time at LAC Ottawa researching Canadian GPA and I agree 100% with all you have said.

Ian