How To: Ford CMP "Blitz" miscellany

[Mike Cecil]

Jacques,

The inclusion of the two little brackets on the front cowl depends on the date of production and the make. You don't seem to see them in images until some time in 1943, so I suggest a design change happened during the first half of 1943, but I'd have to do some more study of images to confirm that belief, and have not found any documents supporting that theory. Of course, imported trucks from the early cab 13 supply contracts (such the in the 55xxx series) were CDN made and did not have the little brackets.

Both Ford and Holden were supplying utes with high canopies to the Army around that time (late 60/early 70s). A scan of the later volumes of AWM126 will give you a good idea of what was being purchased during the period up to 1972.

Mike

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mike,

Again, thanks for your great help. Your wealth of military history knowledge is astonishing!

I will persist with the front mounted disk as I believe the truck is about 1944 production so it would be in keeping. Original cowl had a lot of wastage, dents, and the top front crossmember missing but a better intact one came along. Both have the spot welded on brackets for the disk.

I have never found a chassis serial number at the places mentioned in this forum, top of the right side frame near the front engine crossmember or on the vertical side below it. It has entered my mind that perhaps it was assembled from parts post-war and never issued a s/n. Could that be a possibility?

Wheels were stamped 1943 and the round gauges led me to believe it is late war but who knows.

Will keep searching for the vehicle the canopy fits based on yours and Ken's leads.

Many thanks again.

Jacques