1944 C15A Cab 13 Starter Project

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Richard

The little hatch in the back of the cab behind the drivers head would strongly suggest that this truck was once equipped with a radio body you found.

You can see the matching opening on the front of the radio box. Purpose was to allow the crew in the back to talk with the driver.

Cheers Phil

[RichCam]

Phil,

You are right. Maybe I now need to slightly change direction. Thanks for the sharp eye. You can see the hatch in the pictures that you guys sent me of the radio box C15A.

Regards, Richard

[Bob Carriere]

...... or bend over..... that horseshoe will rip a hole right through the bottom of your pants.......

have you considered buying a few lotery tickets...... just for fun...?

Bob C

[RichCam]

Bob,

Here are some pictures of another vehicle that I spotted while on delivery during the fall. I didn't get a chance to look inside........dog was chasing me....just kidding. However, it appears to have a radio box communication hatch in the back of the cab. I guess this cab and chassis would fit the bill for the radio box also? This box could then be put on the Cab 11 chassis?

Looking forward to more humourous comments. Regards, Richard

[Bob Carriere]

You are amazing.....

Certainly worth saving if for no other reason than having the box.

That box is a later model seldom found on a cab 11/12 chassis...it is a 2C1 or later model....on the cab 11/12 you usually find a 2B1 whcih has drop sides.

Don't be to concerned with the twisted tail gate.... the important point is that it is there and can either be repaired or serve as a model/template to repro one. Boxes can be repaired even if badly rusted..... most parts are flat stock heavy guage which is easier to weld. Bends are usually simple 90 degrees and can be made by a local fabricator for you.

I beleive that the OTHER radio truck chassis that the young guy is selling is in far better shape to work on than that one......if you look at what we refer as the belt line of the cab...... where the upper portion of the roof meets/join to the bottom back p[art of the cab you will see a lot of perforated rust...... easily fixed with a new skin BUT work is involved....... I think you would be far better getting ( if the price is right) the partly started truck and saving this one for the box.

Don't forget that any cab 13 can have the rectangular hole cut out where it is needed.

Looking forward to your next posting to see what else you have uncovered.

Bob

[Gunner]

Hi Richard:

It is not unusual to see the comms hatch on what we now think of as cargo vehicles. In the day, many 'cargo' trucks were actually fitted for wireless and used as Command Posts in tactical units such as a field artillery Troop CP. Thus the folks in the back needed to be able to talk to the driver through the flexible canvas tube that connected the rear to the cab.

Cheers! Mike

[RichCam]

Bob & Mike,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I will follow up on the Starter C15A this week.

Attached is a photo of 2B1 box that I saw this fall. Now I know the difference between the two different types.

Lots to do. Richard.