A.E.C. Matador
Design work on a 4 x 4 chassis for the War Department had begun in the mid 1930s by Hardy Motors and the Four Wheel Drive Company of Southall. AEC purchased the FWD Company and continued with design with the prototype being ready in 1938. Trials of the vehicle were a success and AEC received an initial contract from the Ministry of Supply for 200 vehicles, and by the end of World War Two well over 10,000 had been delivered. The most numerous version of the Matador was the artillery tractor. This had a composite wood and steel body with seating for a gun crew of nine or ten with shell carriers
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 7.08 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 11 ins, Height 10 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC A173 95 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 38 mph, Range 400 miles Payload: Maximum 8,450 lbs (3.75 tons) Crew: 1 + 10 man gun crew
attached to rails in the floor to make it easy to offload the ammunition, these vehicles being mainly associated with the 5.5 inch medium field gun. Alongside the artillery tractor there were cargo vehicles used by the Royal Navy and the RAF and a a range of specialised bodies, while the Matador mechanical components were used to develop the AEC armoured car. In the early 1950s problems in developing a replacement led to a further 1,800 Matadors being purchased with an uprated engine. The Matador earned a reputation as being a rugged, powerful and reliable vehicle.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 11,800
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CMP FAT
CMP stood for Canadian Military Pattern and was applied to a number of trucks, artillery tractors and utility vehicles built in Canada. They combined British army requirements and North American engineering skills, and the CMP Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) was based on the successful British Morris C8 that had been developed just before the war. They were manufactured by Ford and Chevrolet as the CGT (Chevrolet Gun Tractor) and FGT (Ford Gun Tractor), with the first models being produced in 1940/41 and used by British and Commonwealth forces to replace lost material after the withdrawal from Dunkirk. They
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 4.86 tons  Dimensions: Length 14 ft 1 in, Width 7 ft 6 ins, Height 8 ft Powerplant: 1 x Chevrolet 85 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 45 mph, Range 200 miles Armament: None Armour: None Crew: 1 + 5 (gun crew)
were usually used to tow the 25 pounder gun, and later the 17 pounder anti-tank gun, and were fitted with a winch above the rear axle that could be used to manoeuvre the gun or extricate the vehicle if it ever became bogged down. The early vehicles had a similar body to the Morris C8, but later models went through a number of design changes that had a variety of beetle-back bodies with two or four doors and solid or open canvas covered roofs. They were first used operationally in North Africa and served throughout World War Two with Commonwealth and Allied nations.
Country of Origin: Canada Number Built: Unknown
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5 5 1 1 Home Page Home Page Morris CDSW Morris had introduced the military CD 6 x 4 vehicle in 1933 to a War Office specification, and included several variants including a command car, truck and field ambulance. This family of vehicles was expanded in 1935 by the introduction of the CDSW with a military pattern cab which included a general service design, a breakdown vehicle and a gun tractor to tow a modernised 18 pounder field gun or a 4.5 howitzer, both types of gun being replacws later by the 25 pounder field gun as they came off the production line. Large numbers of these vehicles and guns were with the BEF in France where the majority were S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2.7 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 2 ins, Width 6 ft 2 ins, Height 8 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x Morris EB 55 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 37 mph Armour/Armament: None Payload: 4,256 lbs (38 cwt) Crew: 1 + Gun crew lost during the fighting, or purposely wrecked at Dunkirk when the British troops were withdrawn in May 1940. Prior to the Second World War another version of the CDSW had appeared which was designed to tow the 40 mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft gun. This vehicle was modified to carry the gun crew and spares, along with 192 rounds of ammunition which were contained in lockers. The Bofors gun was of Swedish design and one of the best anti-aircraft weapons of World War Two, and with the Morris CDSW would see service throughout the war with the British Army in North Africa, Europe and in the UK. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: Unknown A R T I L L E R Y T R A C T O R Morris C8 Quad The Morris C8 Quad was designes as a field artillery tractor which would replaced the Morris CDSW. They were first issued in late 1939 and used in action during the fighting France in the spring of 1940, many being lost during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France. They became the standard gun tractor for field artillery regiments and were also used by most of Commonwealth and Allied units equipped with the new 25 pounder gun. It was a popular vehicle although really too small for all the equipment that was carried. It was also underpowered when fully and loaded. Later in the war S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 3.3 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft 8¾ ins, Width 7 ft 3 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x 70 hp Morris EH petrolengine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 160 miles Armament: None Armour: None Crew: 1 + 5 (gun crew) they were also used by the anti-tank regiments who were equipped with the 6 pounder and 17 pounder guns, and when used to tow the 17 pounder, usually without a limber. At the end of World War Two the Quad remained in service with the British army, with many others being supplied to allied and Commonwealth countries. With the British they were to see extensive action in Korean and Malaya, with many being rebuilt in the early 1950s that extended their life until 1959 when the last was withdrawn and replaced by 3 ton tractors derived from the Bedford RL and Fordson Thames E4. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 10,000 A R T I L L E R Y T R A C T O R
Scammell Pioneer R100
The Scammell Pioneer was a private venture and designed for use where good roads were scarce.  They lacked all-wheel drive, but the combination of the walking beam suspension, good traction, and a low-revving engine gave it impressive pulling power over rough ground at low speeds. They first appeared in 1927, and although they were never designed for military use, in 1932 the British War Office purchased an example and fitted it with an 18 ton semi-trailer for use as a tank transporter. Actual production of the tank transporter began in 1937 and differed by having a longer chassis for an
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8.38 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 7 ins, Width 8 ft 6 ins, Height 9 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Gardner 102 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 430 miles Armament: None Armour: None Crew: 1 + gun crew
extended cab to accommodate the tank crew as passengers and larger rear wheels. 459 were produced for the British Army but were superseded by the American Diamond T tank transporter from 1941 onwards. In 1935 the Pioneer R100 heavy artillery tractor entered service with the British army. These were fitted with accommodation for the gun crew, tools, equipment, and ammunition, and were used for towing such artillery pieces as the 7.2 inch howitzer, 6 inch howitzer and 60 pounder field gun. In total 980 artillery tractors were produced and were used throughout World War Two.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 980
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Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 30
A.E.C. Matador Design work on a 4 x 4 chassis for the War Department had begun in the mid 1930s by Hardy Motors and the Four Wheel Drive Company of Southall. AEC purchased the FWD Company and continued with design with the prototype being ready in 1938. Trials of the vehicle were a success and AEC received an initial contract from the Ministry of Supply for 200 vehicles, and by the end of World War Two well over 10,000 had been delivered. The most numerous version of the Matador was the artillery tractor. This had a composite wood and steel body with seating for a gun crew of nine or ten with shell carriers S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 7.08 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 11 ins, Height 10 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC A173 95 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 38 mph, Range 400 miles Payload: Maximum 8,450 lbs (3.75 tons) Crew: 1 + 10 man gun crew attached to rails in the floor to make it easy to offload the ammunition, these vehicles being mainly associated with the 5.5 inch medium field gun. Alongside the artillery tractor there were cargo vehicles used by the Royal Navy and the RAF and a a range of specialised bodies, while the Matador mechanical components were used to develop the AEC armoured car. In the early 1950s problems in developing a replacement led to a further 1,800 Matadors being purchased with an uprated engine. The Matador earned a reputation as being a rugged, powerful and reliable vehicle. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 11,800 A R T I L L E R Y T R A C T O R
Bedford QLB Bofors Tractor
Shortly after the outbreak of World War Two, Bedford Motors was contracted by the British War Office to produce a 3 ton 4 x 4 general service truck for the Army. A protoype was ready in February 1940 with production starting in March 1941. The vehicle was known as the Bedford QL, and was designed for use over rough terrain, although the front wheel drive could be disengaged for use on roads to ease wear on the tyres and gearbox. The first production vehicle was the QLD, a general cargo carrier and would became the most numerous version. Other variants included the QLT troop carrier which had a
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 3.2 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 8 ins, Width 7 ft 6 ins, Height 9 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 72 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 38 mph, Range 156 miles Armament: None Payload: Maximum 3 tons Crew: 1 + 4 (gun crew)
lengthened chassis and body and was capable of carrying 29 soldiers and their equipment. The QLR was a radio vehicle fitted with a housing for signal operators and carried an auxiliary power generator, the same housing was also used as a Command Post and Cipher Office. The QLB was a towing vehicle for the Bofors anti-aircraft gun with ample stowage for crew and ammunition. A few QLs were even used as portee's for the 6 pounder anti-tank gun in North Africa when there was a shortage of self propelled guns. Total production of the Bedford QL was over 52,000 vehicles.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 5,500
‘B’ Type Omnibus Pigeon Loft In 1908 buses were used successfully in the deployment of troops during army manoeuvres, and on the outbreak of World War One in August 1914, Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, asked the London General Omnibus Company to provide buses for use by the Naval Brigade in France. The company asked for volunteers to drive the vehicles, and those chosen were recruited into the Royal Marines. 75 buses and crews were shipped to France in September and played a valuable part in the operations of the Royal Navy Division before the fall of Antwerp in early October. This persuaded the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8,512 lbs (3.8 tons) Dimensions: Length 22 ft 7 ins, Width 7 ft 10 ins, Height 12 ft 5 ins Wheels: Cast steel with solid rubber tyres Powerplant: 1 x 25 hp 4 cylinder petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 16 mph Payload: 34 troops Army to requisition a number of these vehicles for its own use, and on the 18th October the L.G.O.C. supplied 300 B type buses for army service. 150 arrived in time to take part in the first battle of Ypres and were instrumental in the movement of whole divisions during the critical days. The first buses still bore the livery of the L.G.O.C., but the lower deck windows were soon boarded up, while stowage racks were added and the vehicles painted khaki. A few were turned into ambulances and wireless vehicles, while others were fitted with a roof and cages on each side and serve as mobile pigeon lofts. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 3,000+
Humber FWD Field Ambulance
Just before the start of the Second World War in October 1938, Humber had introduced the Super Snipe saloon car. The car had a good performance, having a top speed of 80 mph which was fast for the day. On the outbreak of World War Two in 1939 Humber set about on the design of a range of military vehicles based on the common 4 x 4 chassis and 4 litre engine of the Super Snipe. The front wheels had independent suspension and the four wheel drive provided good off road performance. Most examples were fitted with a steel panelled four door utility body equipped with six seats. These were nicknamed
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2.37 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft 1 in, Width 6 ft 2 ins, Height 6 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x Humber 85 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 250 miles Crew: 2 Payload: maximum 5 casualties
‘The Box’ because of the vehicle’s appearance, many being used as Staff cars by the army. During 1940-41 a small pick up truck was also produced with a removable body that could be used as a radio tent by folding down telescopic legs. The other major variant was a field ambulance which had a steel panelled body and could carry up to five casualties, with a maximum of two stretcher cases, a total of 1,144 of these vehicles being built. The vehicles remained in production throughout World War Two with a total of 5,199 vehicles of all types being constructed, the majority being the heavy utility vehicle.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 1,144
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Humber FWD Heavy Utility Car
Just before the start of the Second World War in October 1938, Humber had introduced the Super Snipe saloon car. The car had a good performance, having a top speed of 80 mph which was fast for the day. On the outbreak of World War Two in 1939 Humber set about on the design of a range of military vehicles based on the common 4 x 4 chassis and 4 litre engine of the Super Snipe. The front wheels had independent suspension and the four wheel drive provided good off road performance. Most examples were fitted with a steel panelled four door utility body equipped with six seats. These were nicknamed
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2.37 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft 1 in, Width 6 ft 2 ins, Height 6 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x Humber 85 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 250 miles Armour/Armament: None Crew: 1 + 5 passengers
‘The Box’ because of the vehicle’s appearance, many being used as Staff cars by the army. During 1940-41 a small pick up truck was also produced with a removable body that could be used as a radio tent by folding down telescopic legs. The other major variant was a field ambulance which had a steel panelled body and could carry up to five casualties, with a maximum of two stretcher cases, a total of 1,144 of these vehicles being built. The vehicles remained in production throughout World War Two with a total of 5,199 vehicles of all types being constructed, the majority being the heavy utility vehicle.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: about 2,500
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Bedford MW General Service Truck In 1935 the British Army issued a specification for a 15 cwt 4 x 2 General Service truck and invited manufacturers to supply vehicles to take part in comparative trials. The trials were repeated over the following years, and one of contributions from Bedford was a short, square fronted vehicle which was identified as the WD-1. In 1937 the vehicle performed well during trials and even better the following year when it was fitted with a more powerful 72 hp engine. In this guise it was known as the MW, and although lacking four-wheel drive, the powerful engine, a short wheelbase, low centre of gravity and S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2.1 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft 4 ins, Width 6 ft 6 ins, Height 7 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x Bedford 72 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range, 267 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: Maximum 1,700 lbs or 10 troops relatively light weight, gave the vehicle excellent handling. They were always open cabbed, the earliest examples having aero-type windscreens and canvas doors, but later models had full windscreen and steel doors. The British War Office placed an initial order for 2,000 vehicles in August 1939, many being supplied to B.E.F. where most were lost during the Battle of France. In North Africa they became the standard transport for lorried infantry in armoured brigades. During the war over 66,000 vehicles were built for a variety of roles, many remaining in service with the British army well into the 1950s. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 66,000 M I L I T A R Y T R A N S P O R T Fordson W.O.T. 2 General Service Truck On the outbreak of World War Two in September 1939, the British Ministry of Supply specified the design for 15 cwt, 1 ton and 3 ton trucks which were designated W.O.T. (War Office Truck). Fordson was the side of the Ford Motor Company in the United Kingdom that before the war concentrated on tractors and heavy vehicles, and was soon put to work on producing a variety of vehicles for the War Office. The W.O.T. 2 specification was for a 15 cwt vehicle, and for this Fordson based their design on the chassis of their model 61 truck and commenced production in late 1939. The Fordson W.O.T. 2 S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft 9 ins, Width 6 ft 7 ins, Height 7 ft 6 ins Powerplant: 1 x 60 hp Foes petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 250 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: 1,650 lbs remained in production throughout the war, and around 60,000 were built at Fords Dagenham plant in Essex, most being built as a small truck with a flatbed and an enclosed cab. The W.O.T.2 series ranged from W.O.T. 2A to W.O.T. 2H, the W.O.T. 2A and C were infantry trucks with open cabs and general service bodies. The W.O.T. 2B and D were the same but had a general service van body.The W.O.T.2 E, F and H had semi-enclosed cabs with full width windscreen and metal half-doors. The W.O.T. 2 remained in service with the British Army well into the 1950s before being withdrawn. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 60,000+ M I L I T A R Y T R A N S P O R T Albion A10 The British began to consider the use of motor vehicles to meet their transport needs for the army in the early 1900’s. Up until then the horse or mule had always been the main motive power for moving the army’s supplies, while the soldier normally had to walk. The early vehicles were very primitive, typically with open cabs, solid rubber tyres, twin back wheels to support the load, leaf spring suspension and the power usually being transmitted to the drive wheels by chain drive. In 1911 the British Government introduced a subsidy scheme where manufacturers and private companies received a payment of S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Thornycroft J Type) Vehicle Weight: 4.75 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 2½ ins, Height 10 ft Powerplant: 1 x Thornycroft 40 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range: 220 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: Maximum 3½ tons £120 towards the purchase of each lorry that was suitable for military service, but during any national emergency they would be placed at the disposal of the armed forces. Thornycroft produced the J type lorry in 1912 to meet the requirements of the subsidy scheme, followed by other designs from Dennis, Commer, Daimler, Leyland, AEC, Albion, Hallford, Karrier, and Wolseley amongst others, while at least 12,000 Peerless trucks were obtained afrom the U.S.A. After World War One, large numbers of military vehicles became available for sale and sold to the general public at knock-down prices. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 5,000
Peerless 3 Tonner
The British began to consider the use of motor vehicles to meet their transport needs for the army in the early 1900’s. Up until then the horse or mule had always been the main motive power for moving the army’s supplies, while the soldier normally had to walk. The early vehicles were very primitive, typically with open cabs, solid rubber tyres, twin back wheels to support the load, leaf spring suspension and the power usually being transmitted to the drive wheels by chain drive. In 1911 the British Government introduced a subsidy scheme where manufacturers and private companies received a payment of
S P E C I F I C A T I O N :  (Thornycroft J Type) Vehicle Weight:  4.75 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 2½ ins, Height 10 ft Powerplant: 1 x Thornycroft 40 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 220 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: Maximum 3½ tons
£120 towards the purchase of each lorry that was suitable for military service, but during any national emergency they would be placed at the disposal of the armed forces. Thornycroft produced the J type lorry in 1912 to meet the requirements of the subsidy scheme, followed by other designs from Dennis, Commer, Daimler, Leyland, AEC, Albion, Hallford, Karrier, and Wolseley amongst others, while at least 12,000 Peerless trucks were obtained from the U.S.A. After World War One, large numbers of military vehicles became available for sale and sold to the general public at knock-down prices.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 12,000
Wolesley CR6 The British began to consider the use of motor vehicles to meet their transport needs for the army in the early 1900’s. Up until then the horse or mule had always been the main motive power for moving the army’s supplies, while the soldier normally had to walk. The early vehicles were very primitive, typically with open cabs, solid rubber tyres, twin back wheels to support the load, leaf spring suspension and the power usually being transmitted to the drive wheels by chain drive. In 1911 the British Government introduced a subsidy scheme where manufacturers and private companies received a payment of S P E C I F I C A T I O N : (Thornycroft J Type) Vehicle Weight: 4.75 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 2½ ins, Height 10 ft Powerplant: 1 x Thornycroft 40 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph Range: 220 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: Maximum 3½ tons £120 towards the purchase of each lorry that was suitable for military service, but during any national emergency they would be placed at the disposal of the armed forces. Thornycroft produced the J type lorry in 1912 to meet the requirements of the subsidy scheme, followed by other designs from Dennis, Commer, Daimler, Leyland, AEC, Albion, Hallford, Karrier, and Wolseley amongst others, while at least 12,000 Peerless trucks were obtained afrom the U.S.A. After World War One, large numbers of military vehicles became available for sale and sold to the general public at knock-down prices. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 5,000
Jeffreys Quad
The Jeffrey Quad was one of the most used lorrys in World War One. It was designed by the Thomas B Jeffrey Company in Kenosha, Wisconsin in the USA, and was developed as a result of a visit by the US Army Quartermaster Corps to the Thomas factory in 1913. It was 2 ton four-wheel drive vehicle, with a flatbed load carrier dropside and a 2 seat cab. The lorry was powered by a 29 hp 4 cylinder Buda side valve petrol engine and transmissin being provided by a four forward and reverse gearbox. Steering was to all four wheels which gave it a very small turning radius, while brakes were fitted to all four wheels.
S P E C I F I C A T I O N :  (Thornycroft J Type) Vehicle Weight:  4.75 tons Dimensions: Length 21 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 2½ ins, Height 10 ft Powerplant: 1 x Thornycroft 40 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph Range: 220 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: Maximum 3½ tons
Production started in 1913, but because of its popularity and the outbreak of World War One the Jeffrey Quad was ordered in large numbers, including license production by Hudson, National, and Paige-Detroit. The Jeffrey company was sold to the Nash Company in 1916, which produced the Quad under the name of Nash Quad and at its peak, 11.490 Quads were delivered in 1918. Apart from the USA, France was the largest user of the vehicle, while an unknown number were supplied to the UK, with several being used for the basis of the Jeffrey Quad Armoured Car.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 30,000+
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‘B’ Type Omnibus In 1908 buses were used successfully in the deployment of troops during army manoeuvres, and on the outbreak of World War One in August 1914, Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, asked the London General Omnibus Company to provide buses for use by the Naval Brigade in France. The company asked for volunteers to drive the vehicles, and those chosen were recruited into the Royal Marines. 75 buses and crews were shipped to France in September and played a valuable part in the operations of the Royal Navy Division before the fall of Antwerp in early October. This persuaded the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8,512 lbs (3.8 tons) Dimensions: Length 22 ft 7 ins, Width 7 ft 10 ins, Height 12 ft 5 ins Wheels: Cast steel with solid rubber tyres Powerplant: 1 x 25 hp 4 cylinder petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 16 mph Payload: 34 troops Army to requisition a number of these vehicles for its own use, and on the 18th October the L.G.O.C. supplied 300 B type buses for army service. 150 arrived in time to take part in the first battle of Ypres and were instrumental in the movement of whole divisions during the critical days. The first buses still bore the livery of the L.G.O.C., but the lower deck windows were soon boarded up, while stowage racks were added and the vehicles painted khaki. A few were turned into ambulances and wireless vehicles, while others were fitted with a roof and cages on each side and serve as mobile pigeon lofts. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 3,000+
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Humber FWD 8cwt General Service Truck Just before the start of the Second World War in October 1938, Humber had introduced the Super Snipe saloon car. The car had a good performance, having a top speed of 80 mph which was fast for the day. On the outbreak of World War Two in 1939 Humber set about on the design of a range of military vehicles based on the common 4 x 4 chassis and 4 litre engine of the Super Snipe. The front wheels had independent suspension and the four wheel drive provided good off road performance. Most examples were fitted with a steel panelled four door utility body equipped with six seats. These were nicknamed S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2.37 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft 1 in, Width 6 ft 2 ins, Height 6 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x Humber 85 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 50 mph, Range 250 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: 1,176 lbs ‘The Box’ because of the vehicle’s appearance, many being used as Staff cars by the army. During 1940-41 a small pick up truck was also produced with a removable body that could be used as a radio tent by folding down telescopic legs. The other major variant was a field ambulance which had a steel panelled body and could carry up to five casualties, with a maximum of two stretcher cases, a total of 1,144 of these vehicles being built. The vehicles remained in production throughout World War Two with a total of 5,199 vehicles of all types being constructed, the majority being the heavy utility vehicle. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: about 1,500 M I L I T A R Y T R A N S P O R T Contents Contents Home Page Hope Page 4 4 3 3 2 2
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5 5 1 1 Fordson W.O.T. 8 General Service Truck The Fordson W.O.T. 8 was a 4 x 4 30 cwt vehicle produced at Dagenham between 1941-42. Over 2,500 were built, with many being used in the British Army as artillery tractors, particularly for the 17 pounder anti-tank gun after they began to enter service in 1943. 868 were supplied to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, of these 731 reached their destination of the northern Russian Ports of Murmansk or Archangel, the remainder being lost at sea. In Russian service many vehicles were modified as launching vehicles for Katyusha rockets. In 1942 production of the W.O.T. 8 ceased in preference for the S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 13.8 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 8½ ins, Width 7 ft 6 ins, Height 9 ft 1¾ ins Powerplant: 1 x Ford 80 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 45 mph, Range 280 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: Maximum 3,360 lbs W.O.T. 6, which was a development of the W.O.T. 8 and of similar appearance, but had a far greater payload of 3 tons (60 cwt). These vehicles had an additional reduction gear which improved performance over rough or poor terrain. The W.O.T. 6 was also provided with an cab roof opening for operating a defensive machine gun if necessary. From 1942 until the end of the war nearly 30,000 were built, including special bodied vehicles. Apart from British forces, many W.O.T. 6 vehicles were also supplied to allied forces during and after the war, and in the Danish army they were not fully retired until 1974. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 30,000 M I L I T A R Y T R A N S P O R T Morris Commercial CS8 General Service Truck The Morris Commercial CS8 was placed in production in 1934 as a light general service vehicle for the British army, and by 1939 was their most numerous 15 cwt 2 × 4 truck. They were powered by a 60 hp petrol engine which drove the rear wheels, the early vehicles having an open cab that were fitted with aero screens and roll up canvas doors, these being superseded by full windscreens and half doors in later models. Most were bodied as general service vehicles, but other versions included an office, water tanker, petrol bowser, 2 pounder portée, and compressor, while a lengthened CS8 chassis was also used as S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 10 ins, Width 6 ft 6 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 × Morris 60 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 40 mph, Range 220 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: 2,200 lbs the basis of the Morris CS9 armoured car. Another version was the PU wireless truck that was fitted with a rear canvas and frame unit which could be removed from the vehicle and supported on folding legs to make a ground wireless station. Many CS8s were lost in France after the withdrawal of the B.E.F. from France in 1940, while many others were used in North Africa where they proved to be reliable under desert conditions, captured examples being highly prized possessions of the Afrika Korps. The CS8 remained in production until 1941, by which time over 25,000 had been built. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: about 25,000 M I L I T A R Y T R A N S P O R T Morris Commercial CS8 General Service Truck The Morris Commercial CS8 was placed in production in 1934 as a light general service vehicle for the British army, and by 1939 was their most numerous 15 cwt 2 × 4 truck. They were powered by a 60 hp petrol engine which drove the rear wheels, the early vehicles having an open cab that were fitted with aero screens and roll up canvas doors, these being superseded by full windscreens and half doors in later models. Most were bodied as general service vehicles, but other versions included an office, water tanker, petrol bowser, 2 pounder portée, and compressor, while a lengthened CS8 chassis was also used as S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 2 tons Dimensions: Length 13 ft 10 ins, Width 6 ft 6 ins, Height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 × Morris 60 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 40 mph, Range 220 miles Crew: 1 + 1 passenger Payload: 2,200 lbs the basis of the Morris CS9 armoured car. Another version was the PU wireless truck that was fitted with a rear canvas and frame unit which could be removed from the vehicle and supported on folding legs to make a ground wireless station. Many CS8s were lost in France after the withdrawal of the B.E.F. from France in 1940, while many others were used in North Africa where they proved to be reliable under desert conditions, captured examples being highly prized possessions of the Afrika Korps. The CS8 remained in production until 1941, by which time over 25,000 had been built. Country of Origin: UK Number Built: about 25,000 M I L I T A R Y T R A N S P O R T