Wamba Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Hello, I'm currently working on a writing project about a belgian comic titled "Buck Danny" which is about the adventures of USAF pilots. As part of this project, I'm trying to identify a strange vehicle, appearing from time to time in the comic books published during the 50's and early 60's. To put it simply, it's a CCKW truck with what look exactly like a control tower cab glass on its cargo bed. That's why I call it a "control tower truck". I wasn't able to find any information about this configuration. If it really exist, it seems to be a leftover from World War Two. The only approaching vehicle I could find is the M47 used as control tower by US Army aviation in Vietnam ( see here - I very much like more information on this one, too, by the way :-D) So, I'll greatly appreciate if someone could provide me details on the existence, and on the use of such "control tower" truck. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Over to you Bodge! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shatters Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Not a CCKW, but interesting none the less http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Mobile_air_traffic_control_tower.jpg/800px-Mobile_air_traffic_control_tower.jpg Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Off t'bed now so the 'in a nutshell' version... Basically what it says on the tin... a mobile control tower. Used by both USAAF & RAF during WWII and beyond. They were not assembled to any particular pattern or indeed on any particular vehicle...simply a case of whatever was available. Occasionally GMC's, frequently british built army office/living vans and everything downwards from a gypsy caravan to a jeep trailer and even a rickshaw...no really!! In dusk, poor visability, dawn or just because of the lay of the land the Flying Control trailer/truck was in essence an extra pair of eyes at the far end of the airfield from the tower. Driven to the far end of the active runway it would, depending on conditions and visibility, control the departure of aircraft (& return later) where the tower was unable to do so. Fitted with The necessary radio equipment (though not always) to communicate with the aircraft and utilising signal lamps and flares. The main objective (on takeoff) to see the aircraft off the runway safely and set the next one on its takeoff run as soon as the 1st plane was airborne (or at least past the point of no return!). As part of the 'make it up as you go along' or "bodged" as I like to call it, school of engineering the trailers/trucks were often fitted with observation domes for the F/C crew to observe the goings on. These were usually cracked/fogged or generally U/S plexiglass astrodomes, nosecones or gun turrets. Usually painted in high visibility chequer pattern, black and white/black and yellow. Not to be confused with the similarly painted 'Follow Me' taxi-way jeeps who escorted the bombers/fighters to and from their hardstand (although operated by the Flying Control crews again)... If there's anything you want to know shout up... I might know the answer... might...:??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Wasn't there a post war British configuration usinga Morris vehicle i think, with a trailer front and rear?. The pigman at college Pete Mountain had driven them when he was in the RAF. To see him reverse a four wheel trailer, he could make them dance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I think there was, yes It was only latterly that they became a 'factory build' Most were conversions or outright jerrybuilds from scrap wood (packing crates etc) & whatever was to hand the diversity of them is quite amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wamba Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 Bodge, a huge thank you! You gave me exactly the informations I needed. Wow, you're just awesome! :-) Shatters, thank you too for the picture, very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schliesser92 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Bodge, a huge thank you! You gave me exactly the informations I needed. Wow, you're just awesome! :-) Shatters, thank you too for the picture, very interesting. There was also the German MAN 630L2A with a retractable tower used for deploying to "bare bones" airfields with a mass of other kit. These were in service into the late 1970s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Thats a nice peice of kit... with a greenhouse too... there's posh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runflat Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 CCKW based control waggon from the 50s at the start here: http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=63670 Probably not what you're looking for, Wamba - not really a tower. Any chance of posting a picture from the comic so we know what we are trying to find for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 In the book "The GMC 6x6 and DUKW A Universal Truck " by Jean Boniface and Jean Jeudy on page 114 there is a photo of a control tower vehicle " a engineering body houses a transmitter-receiver, a telescopic antenna mast, an operating table, and a control dome" on a closed cab 353 cargo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 There's a pic of one (I think) in Martylee's recent thread on the Norwegian air museum..... MB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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