Austin K5 4x4 information / images

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Tom OBrien, Aug 4, 2015.

  1. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi,

    I thought I would push the boat out and start a specific thread for Austin K5 images. Starting with this:

    Well, I would have done if I could work out how to upload a photo!

    Sorry
     
  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    It took me some time to work it out but it is second nature now. You need 'more reply options' to do it by the method I use. There are other ways and some real experts will be along no doubt. Keep trying I would love to see some pictures.

    Mike
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Rich Payne likes this.
  4. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    USS LST-21 - Austin K5 - 6 Jun 44.jpg Hopefully, this will work - itwouldbe interesting to try to identify the unit:-

    Ah hah, I'm getting better - just need to work out how to get it full size now!

    Regards

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2018
  5. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Just click the photo once Tom!
     
  6. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Tom,

    16 people have already clicked on the thumbnail to see the picture. Obviously a popular idea. Nice picture of a Rhino Ferry.

    Mike
     
  7. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    The tank belongs to 8th Independant Armoured Brigade. Landed on Gold Beach.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Attached Files:

  9. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    4 Armd Bde OFP Austin K5.jpg Hi,

    Thanks to all for the replies and extra information and especially to Owen for posting the link to the bigger, sharper image. It looks to me like the markings on the Austin K5 are very similar to that on the Sherman. Now, that is interesting as we know that the Austin K5 was issued to the "Assault Force" for D-Day and I have also found evidence linking them to 4th Armoured Brigade and 30 Armoured Brigade. For example, see this photo:

    From: http://www.desertrats.org.uk/bde/4thABartefacts2.htm accessed on 12 Jan 2015
    “Lorries and Driver from 4th Armoured Brigade Ordnance Field Park RAOC.”
    L/Cpl Les Darby and Ted Dobson in front of their lorry.


    Regards

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2018
  10. Leon Hassing

    Leon Hassing Junior Member

    Great idear this!! :biggrin:

    I have three differend versions of the Austin K5.
    First the "regular" cargo version.
    here on a flooded road in Holland.
    [​IMG]

    A 6 pounder portee version.
    [​IMG]

    And a portee converted back to cargo.
    [​IMG]

    All the best
    Leon
     
    Owen likes this.
  11. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Leon,

    Many thanks for posting those. That first one appears to be a 15th Scottish Division vehicle, which is of interest as I have found a reference to Austin K5's being used by 6 Royal Scots Fusiliers of 44 Bde in this division.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  12. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Austin K5 ex Portee netherlands.jpg Austin K5 ex Portee netherlands.jpg

    I found this photo on line somewhere.

    US paratrooper perhaps?

    M501 serial was used by a LAA Regiment in Operation Garden.

    Regards

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2018
  13. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    You may like to know there were two varieties of 'regular' cargo or GS bodies; one of metal and one of wood - the latter being unusual because the planks of which it was made were mounted vertically. Besides the portee and ex-portee versions there was also a house type body, used initially to house a Westex Recorder, part of the support equipment for AA radar, though some of these were later converted to carry stores.

    Chris
     
  14. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Another interesting snippet re Austin vehicles. In February 1941, when 2nd Armoured Division was being rearranged to be sent to both Libya and Greece, there was a general shuffling around of B vehicles (in order to ease logistic chain I imagine?). Within the letters that set out who transfers what vehicle to which unit I found this paragraph (but frustratingly there was no reason given) - the source is WO169/1739 - 1 Rangers.

    "4. Austin Lorries.
    Application has also been made to G.H.Q. for the replacement of Austin 30 cwts and 3 tonners by vehicles of other makes. A reply is still awaited."

    Any thoughts?

    Regards

    Tom
     
  15. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    I saw this one on a Google Image search. It's a pinterest photo and I refuse to go there so know nothing more about it than Brussels 1945 ! Austin K5 Brussel.jpg
     
  16. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  17. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Rich,

    Thanks for the photo - a K5 in full flow is a wonderful sight!

    I wonder if it is from an album of hundreds of Austin K5 photos - or of an album of photos of Brussels? Well, I don't wonder that as photos of the K5 seem as rare as hen's teeth!

    vP - oooh, what a temptation - perhaps I better wait until I've retired, not sure how I could explain a K5 chassis turning up on the doorstep, although we have talked about needing a new car!

    Regards

    Tom
     
  18. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Tom, it's so nice when a K5 unexpectedly jumps off the screen...A Google search shows that it was from an American soldier's album - the only British lorry in the whole thing. He probably heard the transfer box and thought 'Hey, the Brits have trucks with syreens too...!" :)

    3rd Armored Division Photo Album
     
  19. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    As 1400 Austin K5 4 x 4 were issued to the Assault Force Units for D-Day, I found the following entry in the war diary of DDME 1st Corps (WO171/274) heart-warming:

    "7 June
    3-ton 4x4 of all makes performed excellently with a very small percentage of failures. Water-proofing was very good throughout. Failures would have been very materially reduced if instrs had been observed and loads limited to maximum permissible and by not using 4x2 vehs."

    Regards

    Tom
     
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  20. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    I just noticed that in the latest edition of "After the Battle" Magazine there is a picture of General Eisenhower visiting the Falaise Pocket and passing in front of him on the road are 5 Austin K5s. This was late August 1944. I'm going to speak to them to see if I can get a clearer image (the one in the magazine is a still from a film that I think they have obtained from the Eisenhower library in the USA.

    Regards
    Tom
     
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