1939 to 1945, the Busy War years.
There are too many vehicles (and still some to come) to fit onto just one page, So the 1939 to 1945 “War years” page has been split into two. This is the first part
Vehicles from this time frame have two significant changes to the same vehicle either before or after WW2.
1). The inclusion of American Stars to try to stop trigger happy yanks shooting at our troops wrongly believing they were Germans.
2). due to a large number of accidents caused by civilian drivers not being sure which side the driver sat, and thus where hand signals would come from, and the added problem of the blackout suddenly solid metal (i.e not lighted) mechanical semaphore signals appeared on either the offside or on both sides depending upon construction and size.
Bedford introduced their OY series which was nicknamed “Terrier” in 1940 with reduced construction complexity (austerity rules) to suit wartime needs. It had a very modern looking front but due to the bonnet sloping forwards looked like it had a bent chassis.
Earlier drawing I made (with incorrect front bumper angle, bonnet does not taper as it should and in general a poor paintwork gloss, too deep rounded front wheel arch, etc.)
Improved OY copy (Reflections, Bonnet and bumper angles, galvanised linkage, etc.)
The perspective is now corrected, even if it looks more wrong corrected than before, then the “Terrier” (Bedford OY) bonnet slopes down toward the front, the width tapers from quite wide at the windows to slightly smaller at the front, to help improve the view for the driver when manoeuvring in tight spaces...
On the higher 4x4 vehicles the drop to the front is more pronounced, as can be seen in this OX (Hard top cab) version.
Next the Chevrolet/Ford Sloped window Cab Over Engine (COE) truck series...
Royal Signals designation “Lorry, 3-ton, Wireless (C33) (3-ton, 4x4, 134 wb, No. 13 Cab)” in other Regiments it was also known as the “15 Cwt Chevrolet (or Ford) Truck Radio”
Below is the 4-Ton Signals Office version on the long wheel base
The 30 Cwt Versions (both long and short) shared a common wheel base arrangement with the Bedford QL series and AEC Matador as well as the Austin K5 “Screamer” (so called due to particularly noisy gearbox that could be used during an advance to scare the enemy when no Scottish Piper’s were available...)
The Ford and Chevy (From Chevrolet Canada) however had their unusual front window arrangement and looked virtually identical.
Another vehicle that looked too much alike was the two main Later versions of the Jeep, then the Pressed slatted front grill made it impossible to tell the difference between the Ford GPW and Willys MB. Earlier versions however had very different grills and also lighting positions, and so were in some cases more adapt at certain roles than their later MB and/or GPW offspring. (here just four examples) jeeps continued to be used after the war which is why I have drawn the first three without blackout lights (as I have with most of the vehicles on this page) Most cars and Jeeps had 6V electric’s. The FFW had 12 Volt system and in the examples below are fitted with Wireless Set No. 19 across the back. some had their radios on the left side, some on the right.
By 1944 the Willys MB and Ford GPW looked very similar. On this one I have put the same kind of blackout covers as used on the Bedford QLR lorry below. All American Jeeps, Dodge Weapon Carriers, and Trailers had a very clever rear light system. Using mirrors and prisms inside the housing and moulded into the red lens glass, the driver following a vehicle in convoy saw four red lights (two each side, despite there being only one each side) if he was at the correct distance. If he was too close he saw only two, and if too far back saw eight. The lights could only be seen when standing at ground level, and so posed no risk of being seen by aircraft. The UK made vehicles used a convoy light mounted at the back under that chassis facing forward onto the rear differential which was painted white, and so also could be only seen at ground level.
Armoured Scout Cars
