#1
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General Crerar
Can anyone help with details of the markings of Gen. Crerar's Diamond T caravan/command vehicle? I'm looking for placement of Allied stars, bridge weight marking, 1st Canadian Army badge and also the overall colour. Was it overall olive drab or did it have the "Mickey mouse"scheme? Lastly, was this vehicle preserved and, if so, are there any pictures of it?
Many thanks |
#2
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The truck and map trailer were returned to Canada, and was going to be used for post war events. However, apparently the army felt differently, and the truck languished for several years. The box was sold off, and purchased by a tobacco farmer who was going to use it to house seasonal workers.
The van body was found by Bill Gregg in the 70s, and was part of the collection that went to Shilo in the mid 80s. It was married to a softop Diamond T (Bill Gregg's wrecker) and restoration of the box was sent downtown as a major project. This was in the mid to late 90s.By that time, any markings were lost, and the vehicle painted in the usual post war gloss green. Around 2014, a hardtop Diamond T was purchased and brought up from California, which will eventually have the body transferred onto it. The new truck is still a slightly earlier model, but should present better than the soft top example. I was just starting to install new tires onto the truck last month before this Covid stuff sent us all home. It was to be part of the temporary exhibit at the museum for VE day. Short of an absolute miracle, that will now be delayed. The map trailer still exists at the Cdn War Museum. There was discussion about a year back about repatriating the two together. I know there is a decent wartime photo of the overall truck parked in a group at the museum. There are also some close up shots of the back of the truck, but most of it is blocked by the other Generals or visitors. I have also seen a photo or two of the map trailer from the side. I look forward to see what other responses you get on this query. Last edited by rob love; 10-04-20 at 07:08. |
#3
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Found these pictures of the inside.
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Jordan Baker RHLI Museum, Otter LRC C15A-Wire3, 1944 Willys MB, 1942 10cwt Canadian trailer |
#4
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Rob, does the truck have a "CH" prefix in the picture you posted?
Alex
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle |
#5
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I am pretty sure it is. , The current truck it is sitting on has had the CH number put on it's doors. A link to a short article: https://museums.ca/site/reportsandpu...g2020_artefact
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#6
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Hi Rob,
I always assumed Crerars Caravan was built on a long wheelbase 975 chassis, but given the "CH" prefix and the fact that the census is close to another 969 Wrecker seen in a period picture.....I now wonder if it could have been built on a stretched 969 wrecker chassis in stead(?) The caravan will no doubt benefit from the new donor Diamond with the closed cab. By the way.....Jordan, awesome pictures! Alex
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle |
#7
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Here is a picture of Crerar with a Diamond T in the background....what I presume is his caravan with the closed cab and "CH" prefix to the census number.
source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/d...rows=1&page=13 Alex
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle Last edited by Alex van de Wetering; 24-04-20 at 14:31. Reason: Source added to picture |
#8
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Hi Alex.
Might not be the same truck. Note the census number is right under the window, whereas on the photo Rob has in Post 2, it is nearly mid-door. David |
#9
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David,
Good point! I missed that......so it's either another truck or it was repainted at some stage(?)
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle |
#10
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Diamond T
Or perhaps the photograph was taken while the General was visiting another unit which is also equipped with Diamond T trucks.
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#11
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You are probably right, Ed. The General is clearly dressed for travel, and when you look at the driver mirror arms on the two photos of the Diamond T’s, the General’s driver has the mirror head set very high, near the top of the door. The one in the second photo is set very low, about one quarter way up from the sill.
David |
#12
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Attached is another picture of the Diamond T, from Wheels&Tracks magazine no.7, which has an article on the collection of Bill Gregg.
Quote:
I do wonder if others can comment on the "CH" prefix.....wouldn't CL be more appropriate if the truck was based on a Diamond T975 chassis?
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Chevrolet C8 cab 11 FFW BSA Folding Bicycle |
#13
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General Crerar's Caravan
Judging by the last image posted, it looks like the truck did get a repaint.
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#14
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not Diamond T
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#15
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tac sign
Just noticed tac signs on rear flaps
First army right rear Left rear seams to have a 9 in circle over white bar any thoughts? |
#16
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No circle, just a white 9 on a black rectangle with a white bar. 9 equals top dog and black is for HQ.
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#17
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thanks
Thanks Bruce I thought it was a niner call sign but couldn't see the rectangle. thought it looked like circle. I knew that ADC in pic
Craig |
#18
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Crerar caravan interiors by Lt. Smith, 30 April, 1944.
Photo credits LAC Canada. Sourced by J. Baker, see previous post. |
#19
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That is a great shot in Post #14 of the rear end of the 3-ton CMP component of Crerar’s office vehicle train. You can just make out the left rear quarter of this truck in the group photo posted earlier.
Is it correct this particular 3-Ton CMP never made it back to Canada? Just the Diamond T and Trailer? Such a unique set of vehicles! David |
#20
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I have seen some photos at work where there are several of the 3 tons converted to office/caravan vehicles. It may have well been a semi-standardized conversion.
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