Aussie LP3A M/H gun Tractor Question

[cliff]

I know the truck mounted 2 spares behind the cab but were they both spares for the truck or was one the same as the truck and the other the right size for the gun it towed?

Thanks in advance

[Allan Currey]

Hi Cliff,

According to Mike Cecil's Military Equipment Profiles book, the spares mount was designed to carry one of each for the tractor and gun. All photos I have where the spares are visible show one wheel bigger than the other. The pictures I sent you include this one where you can see from the rear between the ammo boxes the 4 bolt heads which hold a bracket on the outside front between the 2 wheels. Offset like it is, I assume that the larger spare tractor wheel must always be on the left.

I hope that's right!

Cheers,

Allan

[cliff]

thanks Allan. I found the photo below of the centre spare wheel bracket for a 1939 M/H GT in my M/H folder. It was taken from an eBay add for a 1939 M/H GT. I wonder if this bracket is the same on all the LP's

[jack neville]

Cliff,

The information is correct. The spare wheel rack carrys a spare for the truck and gun. The spare rack is identical either side but that centre rest does appear lopsided indicating that the spares have a preferred side. This is one of the areas of detail with MH that is so hard to find data on.

[cliff]

What happens then when guns such as the 18Ib'er and 4.5in howitzer which often had the same size wheel and tyre (I am assuming this from looking at photos) after being converted over from horse drawn carriage type wheels?

I know some of the photos show a detachable rim with the centre being left attached to the hub on some guns and limbers as well but the wheel and tyre size look the same size as the LP3's 18in directional tread.

Below are 4 photos from the AWM showing 18lb and 4.5in guns with the demountable rims. Are these 18in or 20in wheels?

[motto]

I don't know if the wheels are 18 or 20 inch but have always known this rim/hub arrangement as a spider wheel. They were available on heavier trucks back then and are still in use today. I don't recollect seeing the earlier ones in anything other than 20"but that doesn't mean much.

David

[Allan Currey]

To answer your question Cliff - I don't know! But I can show you this and see if it shines any light.

This a screen shot from AWM film F04716 of a war rally in Melbourne. From about 1:09:29 you will see a few No.3 tractors pulling 20cwt guns. My view is that the guns have wheels as large or possibly larger than the tractor. If my eyes don't deceive me it looks like the spare tyre carrier on the first vehicle is holding a tyre larger than that of a 25 pounder. The bracket seems to be far more vertical than other vehicles carrying a normal gun wheel, which lean inwards more, if you see what I mean.

Looking at the actual holders on a tractor, the mechanism includes a long bolt assembly that dictates the angle of the bracket when it folds up and then secures the whole thing. I know the triangle bracket in between the tyres is a limiter, but is there perhaps enough adjustment in the carrier to accommodate different size tyres?

All speculation on my part, and hoping someone knows more.....

Cheers,

Allan

[Tony Smith]

The tyre size is 9.00-20.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

The tyre size is 9.00-20.

Thanks Tony.
Is there any chance of running a tape measure on the tyre across the tread and down the sidewall please? I can then make a tyre/rim to suit as I already have the centre made.

Cheers
Cliff

[jack neville]

There is room on the LP3 tyre carrier to carry a bigger tyre as suggested. Just wind out the nut so the arm is more verticle