NAA archive file

[Mike Kelly]

Interesting file here

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...aspx?B=1541645

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...330921&T=P&S=1

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear....aspx?B=649065

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...aspx?B=1599733

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...spx?B=33037259

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mike,

Very informative and interesting links. Thanks.

Especially found the 3 ton Lorry GS, General Arrangements Drawing interesting. The old Draftsman coming out in me.
Had a quick look for a similar General Arrangements drawing of the 15 CWT GS body but will require more time digging around.

I did find a document for the modification of a GS body to a Battery Staff vehicle. Not sure how to access it. Do I have to order it from NAA or am I missing something with viewing it online?

Cheers,

[Mike Cecil]

What is the barcode number, Jacques? I'll take a look and see if it is available.

Mike

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mike,

It is 445049

Series MP742/1 Control symbol 325/11/206

Thanks,

[Mike Cecil]

Nope, not digitized as yet, so available by ordering a copy (in which case it will also appear on line) by using the 'Request a copy' button at top right of screen, or by attending the NAA office in Melbourne to view it in person.

Order it to be available in the search room before attending, as many files are stored off-site and it takes a while to get them to North Melbourne from Burwood.

Mike

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for your help and insight. Looks like it will be well worth ordering a copy online or a trip into Melbourne. Will post result when obtained.

Cheers,

[Mike Kelly]

Seeing the antique VDC ambulances , a local lady here is 94 , she told me she drove a ambulance in Perth during WW2. I asked if it was a army vehicle she replied no it belonged to the hospital , it was a old car then . She drove around with an escort picking up drunk soldiers !

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for your help and insight. Looks like it will be well worth ordering a copy online or a trip into Melbourne. Will post result when obtained.

Cheers,

Just received notification from NAA that my request has been digitalized and placed online. Here is the link for those who may be interested.

http://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scrip...ber=445049&O=I

Cheers,

[Mike Cecil]

Interesting file, Jacques, but probably not the fitment details you were wanting.

Nevertheless, the file provides quite an insight into relative numbers of MC & WD types in hand in April 1943, whereas most later lists I've seen don't differentiate in that way.

Thanks for clearing & paying for the file and posting the link.

Have you ever been able to work out which type of BS truck you have, from the various additional locating holes for fittings?

Regards

Mike

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mike,

I still enjoyed reading the correspondence even if it wasn't quite what I thought it might be.
One snippet which I found especially interesting was in the correspondence of April 27, 1943 from Ford Motor Co. Australia to Col. E. T. Bazeley.
It mentions the preference for Col. Bazeley's normal steel cabs to be fitted to the 64 15 CWT G.S. vehicles to be produced.
If I interpret it correctly that means "normal steel" would be the solid steel cabin roofs as opposed to the canvas covered "Sunshine Roof" The use of the word preference implies either could be used.

I have never been able to work out what type of GS vehicle I have as the second body I obtained was missing the valances where I believe seats were fitted. I does have the doors at the wheel arches for storage lockers inside the valances. The third body was on the F15/F15-A converted truck and not sure of its origins. It has the valances but no doors or holes where seats would be fitted. The only positively identified truck is the parts truck where the ARN records reveal it to be a genuine 1943 Battery Staff vehicle.

It had the foam extinguisher bracket on the outside of the cab too which also was an indicator of its authenticity. It was held to the lower back of the cab with old style
Whitworth bolts and the lower back was attached to the floor with WW2 Whitworth bolts. I was able to salvage all these fasteners which is also an indicator of Australian assembled and untouched.

Unfortunately the chassis and cab sheet metal was too far gone to be restored and it was a cab chassis minus a body anyway. Surprisingly there was no chassis number stamped on either it or the original F15-A chassis from which I began my restoration all those years ago so there is no conflict there. This is why I have decided to give the original project an identity using the transmission from the parts truck. The original transmission wasn't even from a 4 x 4 CMP so in any event it had to go.
Comparing both chassis I could not find one single difference between the two, other than massive amounts of rust and delamination of the steel on the parts truck.

A long circuitous route but I am getting there and I feel a lot better with what I have now.

Cheers,