DMB89Summer
1942 LRDG Chevrolet WB 30cwt Patrol Truck North Africa
he Chevrolet 1533x2 4x2 30 cwt (1 1/2 ton) Patrol Truck succeeded the Long Range Range Desert Group's (LRDG) Ford F30 4x4 Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) Patrol Trucks in early 1942. These 1941-1942 model Chevy trucks were specially ordered Modified Conventional Pattern (MCP) vehicles, which were upgraded civilian vehicles manufactured for military use at the factory and then further modified by the LRDG after receipt.
Typical LRDG basic vehicle modifications were the fitting of sand tires, condenser cooling systems, cut down radiator grating, addition of unsticking equipment (sand channels and pioneer tools) and the famous Bagnold sun compass. Furthermore, LRDG patrol trucks were also employed in specialized roles and equipped to accomplish those missions/tasks. Besides conducting basic patrols, some trucks acted as fittter's vehicles, "heavy" patrol vehicles, light artillery vehicles (including acting in the anti-tank role - the "scorpion's tail"), medical orderlies' vehicles and wireless/communications vehicles. The 1533x2 trucks were the most numerous patrol trucks employed by the LRDG throughout their short life and soldiered on until the unit's disbanding.
1942 LRDG Chevrolet WB 30cwt Patrol Truck North Africa
he Chevrolet 1533x2 4x2 30 cwt (1 1/2 ton) Patrol Truck succeeded the Long Range Range Desert Group's (LRDG) Ford F30 4x4 Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) Patrol Trucks in early 1942. These 1941-1942 model Chevy trucks were specially ordered Modified Conventional Pattern (MCP) vehicles, which were upgraded civilian vehicles manufactured for military use at the factory and then further modified by the LRDG after receipt.
Typical LRDG basic vehicle modifications were the fitting of sand tires, condenser cooling systems, cut down radiator grating, addition of unsticking equipment (sand channels and pioneer tools) and the famous Bagnold sun compass. Furthermore, LRDG patrol trucks were also employed in specialized roles and equipped to accomplish those missions/tasks. Besides conducting basic patrols, some trucks acted as fittter's vehicles, "heavy" patrol vehicles, light artillery vehicles (including acting in the anti-tank role - the "scorpion's tail"), medical orderlies' vehicles and wireless/communications vehicles. The 1533x2 trucks were the most numerous patrol trucks employed by the LRDG throughout their short life and soldiered on until the unit's disbanding.