Chev 6 Seater Utility

[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 .