1938 chev prototype

[mike mckinley]

here is another pic of one in R.C.A.F. service as a fire truck. this pic was found at www.firehouse651.com

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have often queried whether the '36 half-tracls were in fact Innes-Cunningham conversions and not M-H, but perhaps there is some for of plate on the museum truck to confirm either way?

In Canada, the requirements of all-terrain vehicles had been answered by at least two companies. J.S. Innes Limited of Toronto created a rear tracked arrangement powered by the rear wheels, suitable for any 1½- or 2-ton chassis, long or short-wheelbase, with either freight or passenger body, though Ford chassis seem to have been the preferred choice. For winter use, the front wheels were exchanged for steering sleighs, though the front wheel system enabled the truck to proceed over any road or surface conditions other than presumably pure snow. The conversions seem to have been aimed mostly at Ford truck users though. ‘Innes-Cunningham’ half-track conversions were used by the DND: a limited number of Innes-Cunningham half-track conversion Ford trucks were used as gun tractors with ‘C’ Battery, RCHA, Winnipeg, and with the RCAF as crash tenders with Ward-LaFrance fire pumper bodies in 1939. The Artillery trucks may have been 1936 Models; a Lt. Colonel C.R. Grant, DOC, MD No. 10, wrote to the Secretary to the DND concerning Innes-Cunningham Half-track vehicles for ‘C’ Battery, RCHA. Grant referred to a letter of 6 January 1937 and his radiogram of 12 January. He enclosed a full report embodying the information contained under various headings of NDFC 763, complied by the Officer Commanding, ‘C’ Battery, and also a separate detailed report giving cost of repairs and replacements. The DND had several 1936 Model 2-ton Stake trucks and there is no indication as to which trucks were conversions, if any. It is thought that the 1936 half-track conversion as revealed on P. 17 of Dr. Gregg’s book ‘Blueprint for Victory’, which was purchased by the DND for trials at Petawawa, and was allegedly a Marmon-Herrington conversion, was one of at least two Innes-Cunningham conversions acquired in 1936. There were eight 2-ton Ford Stake body trucks acquired in 1936: numbers 36-1-93, 101, 103, 115, 117, 161, 163, 170, and together with five 1935 2-ton Stake trucks, were to be retained for ‘general and instructional purposes’ to supplement the 51 1938 GS Trucks, and the two 1937 pilot trucks, and it is queried whether some or all of the 1936 trucks were half-track conversions.

[james007]

I few years back there was one of those tracked trucks out in the Country not far from Campbellton, are they rare?

James

[mike mckinley]

Originally posted by james007
I few years back there was one of those tracked trucks out in the Country not far from Campbellton, are they rare?

James

i can remember you and i discussing that vehicle a few years back.....do you have any pictures of it? rare, yes i would say they are very rare, very limited production 70 odd years ago.

[mike mckinley]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
I have often queried whether the '36 half-tracls were in fact Innes-Cunningham conversions and not M-H, but perhaps there is some for of plate on the museum truck to confirm either way?

thanks for that david. you will note that the cwm track is an earlier vehicle than the R.C.A.F. track. i had wondered who made the apparatus body...i should have known it was w. lafrance mike

[james007]

ill try to take some pictures in the next few days mike. i also know were there is a ford military pick up truck like the photo below,1 ford 13 model cmp( cab only) and a complete chevy 13 model cmp minus spare tire carrier and a model 12 chevy cab, but they all do not whant to sell.

James

[james007]

heres a photo of an early cmp in Cornwall Ont

James

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Is there a caption which goes with that photo?

I'm looking at the lads wondering what unit or regiment they're from, and indeed if any survived the war.......

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

That's a 1938 Chevrolet 15-cwt G/S truck. Another rare photo!

[james007]

It reads,
Soldiers on a Route March, No.31 Canadian Army (basic) Training Centre( Canadian Army Training Centres and Schools) Cornwall, Ontario Canada, 1941. Unknown Photographer.

Mikan Number: 3262659

[mike mckinley]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
That's a 1938 Chevrolet 15-cwt G/S truck. Another rare photo!

that's the first time i have see that photo....thanks for posting it james.....by chance, do you have a link where this pic is located at online?

cheers!!
mike

[james007]

I found it under Face's of war in the Canadian national archives. i typed ontario in the search box,and founded it under that heading.

James

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have seen this photo before, but thanks for that all-important reference number.