GreyFergy101

We have both a Ford Number 8 Gun Tractor and a Chev Number 9 Gun Tractor at the museum (the Chev is still being restored, but is almost complete - it can be driven, but has no gauges fitted, etc). If you make it to Adelaide and make a donation towards our operating costs, a drive can probably be arranged, although that would probably have to be confirmed with members of the committee.

 

Cheers,

Terry

G'day Starfire,

You are most kind, I have been over to South Australia twice in the last year, so probably won't be over that way for some time now. I may purchase a C15A next year, at the moment it is but another idea I am "throwing around". Many thanks!

Kind regards,

Josh M.

The gun tractors have much heavier running gear and a 2 speed transfer case too. I drove a C15A for the first time, yesterday. It wasn't too bad

 

Cheers,

Terry

A two speed transfer case would almost be a necessity in a gun tractor one would think. I'm keen to get behind the wheel of one, one of these days. My Grandfather had much to do with them in the 60's in New Guinea, mechanically mainly. His experiences have led to a dislike of the vehicle generally, under powered with loads on hills, poor off road performance (he found he got along better in his bedford with chains and dual rears with a load on the back) and with the larger military tyres, driving through any ruts etc is liable to break your arm. However they did the job they were built to do, probably don't rate too high on the "truck comfort list" though...

Hi Josh,

this info is from a War Office data book of 1944;

C15A

Max. recommended trailed weight in Tons

Normal roads 4 tons

Hilly roads 3 tons

Cross country 1 ton

 

for comparison the Chev CGT (quad gun tractor)

Normal roads 4 tons

Hilly roads 3 tons

Cross country 3 tons

 

regards, Richard

G'day Richard,

Many thanks for your reply. Just the info I have being wanting, I certainly wouldn't desire to be towing 4 ton up a hill in a CMP, certainly an interesting comparison between the CGT and C15A. Cheers!

Kind regards,

Josh M.

I can't ever remember seeing a figure for the trailed load capacity for any CMP for a C15A or F15A I would suggest 1 ton would be in the right ball park. The 12 cab C15A was used as a stop gap anti tank gun tractor in 1941/42 here in the UK.

 

Artillery tractors had the same basic frame however they had considerable modification by way of additional gusset plates added to the side rails and cross members.

 

Pete

G'day Pete, many thanks for your reply. I couldn't find any mentions of trailed load capacity either, and over here in Aus there seems to be one in every second paddock...

G'day all,

Sorry have another question, with an eluding answer... :-|

Is there a rated towing capacity for a Chev C15A "Blitz truck"? I can't find specifications regarding it's towing capacity, maybe I am just blind! Its interesting that the FAT Chevs etc are obviously built on a C15/F15 chassis, however I would speculate that they may have a higher towing capacity rating, wouldn't know as I haven't got the towing specs though. Anyway, I thank members in advance for their help. Cheers!

Kind regards,

Josh M.

P.S: Sorry, just realised this is posted in the wrong area, can't remove. My apologies.

More common in the US. I knew that T202 VC trucks had made it to Australia late in the war, but not T203 VF ones.

 

Height, width, length, weight, basically ballpark the same as the 1.5 ton Chevrolet G7100 series, even the Budd cargo body is virtually the same.

 

I have actual dimensions somewhere, but all the survivors I know of are in the US apart from a couple imported to Holland in the last ten years.

Cheers mate,

Realised after your reply that I was getting a tad mixed up between two models. Thanks for your help!

Kind regards,

Josh M.

G'day all,

From my limited understanding these vehicles aren't too common, perhaps with Australia being an exception. I was just wondering if anyone might have specifications for the G621 series (VF402-VF407) i.e dimensions, drivetrain specs etc? Many thanks in advance for your help, cheers!

Kind regards,

Josh M.

Hello there from yet another Ferguson fan!

You can never have enough! I notice a lot of fergies on this forum in restoration pictures.

Hows it going Josh?

Welcome to the forum.

I thought it was only a matter of time before you joined up.

 

All the best

Luke

G'day Luke,

Quite fine thankyou, yourself?

Wondered if you were going to be on here!:-D

Kind regards,

Josh M.

welcome on board mate

Thanks Paul.

G'day

 

I do so much miss the drop bears and the unsuspecting American soldier. The hoop and cigarette snakes also had them on their toes also.

 

Koalas loved to be hugged, just like a teddy bear........ oh and kangaroo feathers

Indeed, we certainly have a pleasant range of wildlife...

Welcome, and that's a great introduction. .....I've also got a hidden want for a tractor, it must be something about being a Gloucestershire yockle haha

Thanks Gareth, I followed the HMVF's introduction suggestions quite closely.. Make sure the tractor has some grey on it!!!! :trustme:

Welcome to the HMVF Josh, from a fellow Fergi lover

Cheers arcot, good to see I am not alone!!! :whistle:

G'day all,

My name is Josh McNabb, I am a Military vehicle, history, antique tractor, antique engine, construction equipment etc etc enthusiast. I come from that odd continent down south where we ride kangaroos and dodge drop bears on a regular basis...

About myself: I come from a 45 acre adjisted farm, have a fair few family members serving or having previously served in the Australian Defence Force. I am a Christian completing VCE, before hopefully continuing on to ADFA to become a mechanical engineer officer in the Australian Army. This is to gain some additional experience, earn a reasonable and secure income, until which time as I can purchase a suitable property to begin operating a MV restoration business, specialising particularly in the abundant and well priced Universal Carriers, the odd M3 Light/Medium, CMP, US6 etc, as my research, observations and experience indicate this to be a most viable option, with my ADF career still available, eg. working part time ADF in reserves. I have been most closely observing the international military market over the last few years, and have recently begun a database, basically including each military vehicle I see up for sale, in both Australia and internationally, as I am constantly "Scouring" the internet for recent sales, thus allowing me to catalog, year, location, price, condition, method of sale, market targeted (if any) etc. It will be most interesting to graph these results in the years to come, to gain an overall view of the MV market. Anyway, enough of boring you chaps... :-D

I guess it would be suitable to highlight my current projects, I currently own 2.6 tractors (yes you read right... .6= parts tractor), some stationary engines, and of course a lovely condition FJ62 Landcruiser. I don't exactly fit in overly well with my generation and I certainly find that after 5 days each week I have had more than enough... I am referred to by some as an 80 year old, with an 80 year old sense of humour and my use of the english language often perplexes them.... Obviously I am geriatric!!! Although getting on well with the younger folk of today, I grow quite tired of the continual immaturity displayed by many and often their conversational topics, thus I savour the opportunity to socialise with the "older folk", as in such conversations, there is often much interesting information exchange, with many good stories to be told, thus most of my "close" friends are in their 70's and 80's.... My Saturdays are mostly spent in the shed, working alongside my Grandfather, as we complete our undertaken projects, these have included other tractors, a M606 Jeep (almost completed), engines, pumps etc. I am currently undertaking the restoration of my Farmall Super A tractor and my rare (in Australia) Ferguson TEA20 Banana Loader tractor, which has a 50% chance of having been to Antarctica in 1954/5 (thats another story). I will fully register the fergie with many ferguson accessories and a Sherman combo transmission, which when coupled with my regular 4 speed and uncommon 2 speed reduction, will provide me with a total of 24 forward, 6 reverse, with capabilities of reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph.

Well that is just a "little" about myself, I am quite sure you have a good overview of who you might be chatting to at times in the future! I would like to commend the many forum members for the many magnificent restorations, and the effort they put into preserving our important history, I can only hope that my generation will show more of an interest in their history and it's preservation in the future years to come! Keep up the magnificent work everyone.

Kind regards,

Josh M.