Indian Air Force truck 1963 Identification please!

When I worked in India in the late 90s, several of this type of truck were still used by local hauliers in Durgapur, West Bengal

Hi, Steve and Doug,

Googling on “Canadian Military Pattern 15 CWT Ford” brings up many interesting links. In the second one listed, “Images for Canadian Military Pattern 15 CWT Ford”, there is, on quick peek, at least one photo of German use, and later there is a scale model of another. Maybe one of these links will bring you into contact with an aficionado who can give you even more info about the Ford in your photo, Doug.

Cheers,

Matt

Thank you Matt and Steve.
Your help is much appreciated!
Doug

Of course! You’re spot on there Matt. Didn’t notice the badge there. What I should have said is that it was a Canadian Military Pattern 15 CWT!

Regards;
Steve

Lindoug and Steve,

Based on the oval radiator logo, this must be a Ford, not a Chevrolet. A similar vehicle — but a Chevrolet (distinct Chevy logo on the radiator) — is seen in the attached photo, taken in either West Bengal or neighboring Orissa, India in the summer of 1945. This is an RAF vehicle, manned by RAF men on their way to recover remains of fourteen airmen killed on 26 July 1945 when two RAF Liberators (EW225 & EW247) of the Air Firing Training Unit (AFTU) at Amarda Road airfield collided in poor weather during low-level formation flight training.

Note the two crosses, one atop the other, strapped to the roof. The names, ranks, and service numbers of the fourteen casualties were inscribed on the crosses, one crew to each cross.

Comparing this vehicle to your photo, you will see that there are certainly differences, but note the similarities in painting. There is clearly a roundel above each passenger-side headlight, and something is painted above the driver-side headlight on each vehicle. On the front bumper of each lorry can be seen an up-facing arrow, then a two-digit number followed by a larger four-digit number. This same arrow/number combination is also painted on each passenger-side door, below the window.

Nothing else to add, except that the photo was taken by Kenneth King of No. 138 Repair & Salvage Unit. King was one of the five RAF men who, accompanied by several Indians, recovered and buried remains of the airmen. Attached, also, is a graveside photo of the RAF men, led by RAF S/Ldr Stanley G. Bennett (left, with prayer book), the padre at Amarda Road. King is furthest away on the right. Padre Bennett is also seen in the lorry photo, at left.

This, of course, offers no evidence of the Ford’s previous wartime history, but I thought the paint scheme similarity of both India-based vehicles was interesting.

Regards,

Matt

As an aside, the Afrika Korps story could hold true as they did capture and use a vast amount of Allied vehicles in North Africa. I know that the utilised a good number of these 15 CWT Chevys.

Having said that, if this one was being used in India, I would imagine it was left over from Commonwealth use in that area.

Regards;
Steve

Hi Lindoug;

The truck is a Canadian 15 CWT Chevrolet. Used extensively by the Allies in most theatres.

Wiki link here;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Military_Pattern_truck

A friend of mine used to own one…great fun to drive!

Regards;
Steve