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Found another photo from the AWM showing an Aussie Airbourne GMC this time fitted with a crane in use with the RAAF on Borneo in 1945

Cheers
Cliff

Still waiting on that file from the archives but here are some photographs of where it is at now - may not seem much but 1000 % better than before - most mechanical parts are NOS going into it such as that radiator and gearbox etc. Will have to excavate to find the before pictures - stay tuned.

Thanks for the update on the GMC especially the photo showing the chassis splice.

On another note just realised the GMC with the crane has an open top Aussie Airborne cab but the rear deck is full length without the fuel tank behind the cab. I wonder if the deck and fuel tank location were also modified when the crane was added? I would also assume that this was done "in field" by the RAAF workshops.

Cheers
Cliff

File from Archives can be read here:

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/record ... index.aspx

Go to Record Search as guest using Reference Number search box: 552/2/24088

Doesn't seem to be any way of keeping a direct link working - typical.

Not much of interest really except that possibly only 144 were built and not delivered until April 1945 - loading equipment was rationed between 5 trucks and even the loading dolly had to be shared between two trucks.

Thanks Robbo that was one piece of info I did not have. I have attached a copy of an email I received from Mike Cecil at the AWM regarding the Aussie Airbourne GMC's. I wonder if it would be worth asking the South Australian Library for more info or by arranging to visit and look through the records they have?

I have a few photo's of the CCKW353 air portable that is in the overloon museum that you might get some details from , as to the caster and the reinforcements . I d thought someone else would have posted these or better earlier . This vertical splice or fishplate is the same as on mine and the other Airportables that I have seen .

Thanks for those photographs - the ones converted in the USA used different chassis jointing plates to these ones done in the South Pacific Area as well as different cabs etc.

The owner of this project just collected a set of front sheetmetal for this from my pile of parts and it is off to the sandblasters.

He also has sourced a replacement set of engine rear mounting brackets to attach to the chassis in place of the torched originals and the engine is now assembled with the shallow oil pan setup.

He is working on building up a NOS set of civilian style instruments - I supplied most of them but he may be looking for a NOS fuel gauge for the cluster.

Once it is built up a bit more, I will post some more photographs

I have been watching this with interest.

Indeed, more images would be appreciated as and when.

I'll be that little dolly for the back wheel on the front section is rare - I wonder if they just made one up?

The Air Portable Dolley has the signature look of Weaver Manufacturing which made the M1 Bomblift which has an identical looking front wheel and fork assy.
Weaver burned down 30 years ago.

here is a scanned copy of a photo showing the dolly used with the Australian Airbourne GMC conversions. As you can see it has a 'Tee' handle fitted but apart from this scan I have no other data on it at all.



Cheers
Cliff