I thought today would be a good time to start this thread since it is Canada Day. Based on a suggestion by Michel I will attempt to give an account of this extensive, although standardised, range of military vehicles produced in Canada during WW2. Neillie has indicated that it would be acceptable and Aixman would like it posted in daily instalments. It will be in instalments but not daily I am afraid. As usual I had difficulty deciding which heading it should come under but I have plumped for Modelling since the core material will be the series of booklets written some 15 years ago to encourage customers to buy more Trux CMP models and convert them. The major source for the booklets was the series of wartime handbooks aptly titled Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles. The official wartime handbook was in the form of loose leaves and had two sections, one of complete vehicles and one of bodies only. I have chosen to organise the material by body, starting with the smallest, Series 1, 8cwts. Details of complete vehicles will be included of course. Title Page for Trux CMP Handbook Part A. Introduction.
Many thanks Mike for doing this for us. I have downloaded these and eagerly await the next "installment". Thanks also to you Ted for the kind wishes....I spent the day so far doing what I like best....playing in a Canada Day parade with the Legion Pipe Band and doing some modeling. Tonight it's an ice-cream and watching the sunset over the water. Cheers, Neil
Additional information on Series 1 Bodied vehicles. The majority of 8cwt trucks were 4 X 2 Chevrolet C8 and Ford C8. The Canadian Army in the UK used considerable numbers but few of these saw active service, remaining in the UK until they were declared obsolete. The British Army ordered considerable numbers in 1940 and these were delivered direct to the Middle East. They seem to have been naturally shy and timid creatures which are not often photographed and even then are covered in camouflage netting and stowage. Often they are misidentified as CMP 15cwts. The apparently small wheels in large front wings are a good means of identification. Both Chevrolet and Ford developed 4 X 4 versions, C8A and F8A. The C8A chassis was used for the HUP 1C series from 1942 and the F8A was only used by the Indian Army. An interesting and good looking vehicle was the Dodge 8cwt 4 X 4 D8A (Dodge T212). This does not appear in Canadian Army records because it was only used by the British Army and it used few standard CMP parts. It was an adaptation of the US Army Dodge ½ ton 4 X 4, built in Canada with right hand drive, WD wheels and runflat tyres and fitted with a Series 1A body. 3,000 were ordered and delivered to the Middle East in 1941. With a 116” wheelbase and a relatively long bonnet the body looks ridiculously small but they gave good service in N.Africa and Italy. The Chevrolet C8A HUP was used by the Canadian Army in all its variants. It is not easy to find exactly what versions were used by the British Army since the contracts covered a number of different CMP types. Certainly considerable numbers of the standard personnel version were used, together with smaller numbers of ambulances and others. Dodge 8cwt D8A. Mike
Two drawings from the 'Complete Vehicle Handbook'. The originals were very poor copies. I have enhanced them digitally as far as possible and then used my HB pencil. Mike.
You are keeping me busy Mike but it is a true gift....thanks again for your time and effort. It's very much appreciated. Regards, Neil
Neil, Ted and others. I know you will put this information to good use. I look forward to seeing some interesting CMP models. Mike
This completes the first of the four booklets on CMP vehicles. The next booklet covers the CMP 3ton 4 X 4 vehicles. 4 Series bodies were for the 134" wheelbase chassis and 5 Series bodies were for the longer 156" chassis. Of course things are never that simple and some of the 30cwt 3 Series bodies were also fitted to 3ton vehicles, and some 4 Series bodies were also fitted to 156" chassis. Some of the 30cwt vehicles were even uprated to 3 tons by fitting stronger springs and larger wheels and tyres. There will be an interlude before the next series are ready. Some work with the HB pencil will be needed. Mike
Great stuff......all downloaded and printed. I'll be away Friday, Sat, and Sunday in Ottawa but will catch-up on Monday. I'll have my tablet and will be able to see them but won't be able to download to my folders or print until Monday. Thanks again for this, Mike. Cheers, Neil