CMP Production End?

[Don Dingwall]

Apparently you haven't worked on one lately! :-)

Actually, as early as 1943 it was pretty much decided that producing a bastardised Brit-Canadian design was a waste of effort, when US sourced vehicles had far more commonality to Canadian production, and it was realised that we probably should have been following a "North American" course of vehicle production. Too late to change over by the time the realisation hit. That said, CMP's continued in service to the mid to late 1960's in specialist roles, such as HUW, HU ZL, Chev15 cwt GS, 15 cwt water tanker, battery charger, KL welder, Chev C15A Wire3 and 5, derrick, 3 ton line maintenance, Ford and Chev 3 ton GS, Chev 3 ton wireless, and at least 8 types of machinery lorry, both 4 and 6 wheeled.


As far as Canada in Korea goes, the same theme continued-it was decided that we should strive for commonality within the framework of the UN armies in Korea being supplied with the gretare mass of their equipoment being of US origin. Therefore, you see lots of CCKW 352's, M3 series half tracks, and later on, M38 jeeps, and M211 series 2 1/2 tonners being used, not to mention the switch from Achilles to Shermans, although this was for tactical reasons. The same process was taking place at home during this period, with the 2 1/2 tonners coming into service, alongside the CMP's left over from the war. After Korea the M37 series started showing up.

This was in no way a reflection on the build quality of CMP's--anyone who owns one can testify to that--but spoke more to the desire to have a North American vehicle family in service that could be maintained and produced in a much more efficient manner.....not to mention that NA vehicles had the steering wheel on the correct side! (80% of vehicle losses in 39-45 overseas in the Cdn. Army were due to accidents, many attributed to right hand drive.)

HTH
Don