G749 Picture and info thread

[Jes Andersen]

Dave, this is turning into an interesting thread with all the info and photos of our deuces over the years. Its nice to see that some examples have been preserved and that now many are being saved. Here on Vancouver Island, there a few running survivors and likely many wrecks sitting in logging boneyards spread across the north Island and coast. When surplused, many went to logging shows and were worked to death.
Thanks to Rob and everyone else for adding their photos and information. I have a few pictures from years ago that I want to add but my scanner isn't cooperating right now. I'll try again once I figure out why.

[Dave D.]

Originally Posted by Jes Andersen

Dave, this is turning into an interesting thread with all the info and photos of our deuces over the years. Its nice to see that some examples have been preserved and that now many are being saved. Here on Vancouver Island, there a few running survivors and likely many wrecks sitting in logging boneyards spread across the north Island and coast. When surplused, many went to logging shows and were worked to death.
Thanks to Rob and everyone else for adding their photos and information. I have a few pictures from years ago that I want to add but my scanner isn't cooperating right now. I'll try again once I figure out why.

Good reading you Jes, we still need to follow-up the Emergency Management / Civil Defence story on both Civilian and military trucks. Seeing your photos,,,,, once you beat up that scanner, will be a treat. Don't you have a 5 year old or youngster around that can fix electronics?

When the Waynes, Dans and Robs of the World start filling in the blanks, the story only gets better. Being a civilian has it's disadvantages so learning about the military aspect of Early Deuce service is amazing. It's a story that needs to be told, soon. Some of the kids that started driving those Deuces in 1952 could be 83 years old. These guys,,,,,all those who served Canada, are the big reason we're all here talking about it. Thanking our servicemen, never forgetting, is the least we can do and will only get better if we digitize as many stories as possible.

I can, almost without a doubt, (I wasn't there)... testify that I heard,,,,, the owner say, "This truck was part of the recovery of Kosmos 954 when it crashed in 1978."

One day we may confirm this story because we have some evidence. The license plate matched the number stamped into the top of the frame, drivers side behind bumper plate. 53/51732
Passenger frame stamped 113501589

The boys that own this M135 started buying fleets of military surplus vehicles back in the late 70's. They were very clear on the details of it's history.
""It's the M135 Flying Kitchen that started on fire while feeding the Canadian/ U.S. military teams."" Trust, but confirm!

I'll post a link if anyone is interested. Do you think any of boys that spent time picking up radioactive pieces of Soviet Satellite are around to tell the story?
Operation Morning Light

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.c...morning-light/

"""""Debris was sent to Edmonton and then to Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment in Pinawa, Manitoba, for analysis and final storage.""""""

[Ed Storey]

Here is an example of an early Operator's Manual from 1951. 52-50000 was the first Canadian production M135CDN.

CDN-0M9-819A Operator's Manual 2½ Ton 6x6 GMC (Canadian) Cargo Truck M135CDN, Dump Truck M216C.jpg

[Dave D.]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

Here is an example of an early Operator's Manual from 1951. 52-50000 was the first Canadian production M135CDN.

Attachment 92086

That is remarkable Ed. Book # 1 essentially. Thank you!

The data plate for 52-50000, if authentic, would reveal the 1st Date of delivery so .....who wants a race to the museum?

[Dave D.]

There's an old thread on BATUS here somewhere where I outright stole a photo from so I could add it to the story of George and Gracie.

The M207 radio van, Gracie... and George, the BATUS coloured M135 came to me in a 5 truck deal. A neighbour started naming the trucks after comedians so the pattern stuck.

There are public details online about BATUS but in general, the British trained in Alberta, nabbed some of our CDN gear, painted them odd colours and said WE have funny accents in Canada.

....and I'm real proud to own the 1956 July 7, 56-54341 Ser, 113505503
BATUS M135

[Wayne Hingley]

It seems there were many runs of the Operator's Manual. My copy is dated June 1954.

Dave: sounds like you are due for a road trip to revisit the WV Saloon. Every Wednesday is wing night!

[rob love]

Notable that on Wayne's, the reference to a medium wrecker is gone.

At that point in time, the CF was still using the Diamond T, and I believe continued to do so as the main wrecker until about 1960 when the M62 was introduced. So perhaps somebody in Ottawa realized that a SMP medium wrecker would be fairly useless.

I had a Sgt in MooseJaw who related drawing a Diamond T out of Edmonton depot as late as the early 70s for some operation.