Chev 6 Seater Utility

[Wayne Henderson]

The utility carried a Thompson MG, 2 303 Rifles and a Bren MG.

Like the Ford FAT the Thompson was stowed in front on the passengers side.
The utility also has clips on the roof to stow the Thompson.

The rifles are mounted left rear seat by the door and the Bren is opposite the 9 or 11 set radio.

There are mounts for the Bren on both sides, rear and 4 positions on the roof rear hatch. Still have not been able to id the Bren mount that slide into these clips so I will convert a carrier mount to fit.

[Keith Webb]

Not something you see every day - really interesting pics Wayne.

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

The utility carried a Thompson MG, 2 303 Rifles and a Bren MG.

Like the Ford FAT the Thompson was stowed in front on the passengers side.
The utility also has clips on the roof to stow the Thompson.

The rifles are mounted left rear seat by the door and the Bren is opposite the 9 or 11 set radio.

There are mounts for the Bren on both sides, rear and 4 positions on the roof rear hatch. Still have not been able to id the Bren mount that slide into these clips so I will convert a carrier mount to fit.

[Mike Cecil]

Nice job, Wayne: always liked the 6-seater, and you are doing a magnificent job of the restoration. Thought you might enjoy the following extract from a report done in Feb 1944 in New Guinea. The report included a section on vehicle performance of each of the types in use at that time. The following was written about the Truck, 6 seater:

'This vehicle is disliked on account of the chassis and the extreme discomfort. It is suggested that a more useful vehicle is either the Cars, 6 seater, Utility or conventional 12 or 15 cwt utility, as by the time the Trucks, Utility etc are put into operation, road surfaces are sufficiently good for the conventional 4x2 vehicle to operate.'

Still, I've no doubt it is no worse a ride than the 4x2 or 4x4 15cwt CMP - probably even better given the body weight that should in theory make the springs work a bit harder. Nevertheless, there is no sugarcoating what the troops thought of them way back in 1944 in NG!

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

Uncomfortable!, maybe the Officer's Gin tipped over

Hi Mike, most of the complaints would have been from the last two crew members who sat on wood seats hinged to the wood floor and a radio to bash their heads on at every bump.
I am thinking there may be a bit of side ways body roll that would also add to the complaints.
The truck would be no worse than a C15 on NG roads but I'll find out soon when it gets going around the bush over here.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Great work Wayne, like many others on MLU I look forward to seeing these updates.
Rich.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Nevertheless, there is no sugarcoating what the troops thought of them way back in 1944 in NG!

One wonders how many 4x2 rated roads there were in PNG during the war . Could you drive anywhere more than 50km out of Port Morseby in any direction ?

Even today, there isn't a road across the Owen Stanley range and probably never will be unless somebody manages to bulldoze whole mountain tops .

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

The utility carried a Thompson MG, 2 303 Rifles and a Bren MG.

Like the Ford FAT the Thompson was stowed in front on the passengers side.
The utility also has clips on the roof to stow the Thompson.

The rifles are mounted left rear seat by the door and the Bren is opposite the 9 or 11 set radio.

There are mounts for the Bren on both sides, rear and 4 positions on the roof rear hatch. Still have not been able to id the Bren mount that slide into these clips so I will convert a carrier mount to fit.

Oh my, Thompson at the ready on the roof, plenty of firing positions for the Bren - looks like they had fantasies about a "Blitz Battle Wagon"

All kidding aside, I like your project!

[Mike Cecil]

A well armed truck indeed, and with a body designed to stop the incoming .... not!

The listed use included recon, so maybe the Army had thoughts of all- round self defence during recon missions?? Big, bulky and slow for a recon mission - a jeep would be much better, I should think.

The SMG mount on the roof was supposed to be a universal mount to fit either the TSMG or the (by then) more common OMC. It is listed simply as a 'Mount, SMG' without specifying the type.

Wayne, have you been collecting all the items on the Vehicle Outfit List (VOL) to equip the truck? It will look even more snappy with all the kit aboard.

Mike

[motto (RIP)]

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David

[Mike Cecil]

Funny you should mention that, Dave: I've just finished an article on jeep trailers for the next issue of the MJCQ journal 'Command Reconnaissance' and that road gets a mention due to the extreme repair & maintenance required on Aust No.2 jeep trailers being towed back and forth along it.

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Mike, I have the 1944 Field Specs No. 1023 for the 6 Seater which I kindly got from Keith, as well as most of the photos I use as reference in the rebuild, cheers Keith.

The specs lists the usual spares that go in most vehicles, accessories,tools, ropes etc. I have a lot of the required parts plus a few map cases and DD luggage and other officer garnish. Still looking for a folding table, a single scotch and bits I didn't know I needed til I see them.

There are clues to be found like lights, dome (2),blinds, poles extension and others that had me head scratching until it dawned on me what went where.

The gun mounting pictured is listed as "Mountings Bren Gun Roof (4)"

[hrpearce]

Originally Posted by motto

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David

My Uncle by Marriage was a Sapper on the Bulldog road and there is a chapter on the hardships of building it in a book called Maker and Breaker by John Grover.

[Mike Cecil]

Yes, it was the VOL list in the MVFS I was referring to.

You'll have noted that it lists a 'Cover, Windscreen, Anti-Glare' (or similar name) but instead of two, it shows only one. Which suggests it must have been a full-width, two windscreen cover, rather than two individual single windscreen covers.

Mike

[Wayne Henderson]

The original doors on this truck were mounted as "suicide" but some time during service were changed around to the standard opening style.
I wanted the doors as they originally were fitted.

The original doors are wood framed with a steel sheet cover, like the rest of the rear section. I copied the originals and made them out of Tasmanian Oak and the weight difference is about half. The lock holding block was a test in woodwork skill.

The original hinges needed a bit of work but turned out well.
Running real low on brass wood screws now

Wayne

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by motto

A subject was touched on here that though being off topic deserves a little more recognition. During WW2 by dint of incredible effort a vehicular track was carved through the Owen Stanley Range to Wau on the northern slopes. It was known as the Bulldog Road.The story of its construction over an 8 month period is little known as it took place in what soon became a backwater as the war moved on.
Hats off to the unsung Diggers and Natives involved.
Beautiful job on the truck Wayne!

David

David, I think you will find that Kanga Force was involved on building that road. My father was part of Kanga Force, his mob, the 2/7th Independent Commando Co. and others were involved in building the road to make the Japs think that there was more happening than what was actually going on. This caused the Japs to put more troops into an area where we were better prepared for them. Dads mob only had 2 Jeeps at that stage and Dad was responsible for both of them as well as his ongoing commando responsibilities.

Regards Rick.

BTW. Wayne, I am also really enjoying your restoration of such a rare vehicle.

[David Dunlop]

It's going to look very POSH when it's finished, Wayne.

You may have to make it available for future Royal Visits!


David

[Lionelgee]

Hello Wayne,

How is the progress on the Chevrolet six seater going?

I see you might be distracted by something with a little more solid metal on it in another thread

Kind Regards
Lionel