World War 2 Chevrolet abandoned in Woods
Photograph courtesy of Leslie Phillip, Perth. Leslie recalls that this vehicle was discovered abandoned in woods near Kirkbuddo near Forfar around 1972.
Does anyone know the history of this particular vehicle or any of the details, model etc.
Groups: Other Vehicles and Machines
Group: Forestry Areas - 3222 pictures
5 Comments
I have come back to look at this one several times, it is puzzling, the condition seems too good for it to be used in the woods for any length of time, I would expect to see lots of wear and tear on the metalwork and tyres .
The outer appearance of the Canadian 4x4 Chevrolet or a Canadian 4x4 Ford looks identical so they are difficult to identify.
The grill is missing, originally a Ford or Chevrolet badge would have been in place and the Fords had “Ford of Canada” embossed on the metalwork just below the nearside headlamp.
It may have been used for forwarding rather than loading in the woods or they were also used on farms for Lime spreading and general haulage, sometimes even used for transporting beaters on estates .
Comment left on 15 March 2016 at 16:44 by Jimmy Thain
The outer appearance of the Canadian 4x4 Chevrolet or a Canadian 4x4 Ford looks identical so they are difficult to identify.
The grill is missing, originally a Ford or Chevrolet badge would have been in place and the Fords had “Ford of Canada” embossed on the metalwork just below the nearside headlamp.
It may have been used for forwarding rather than loading in the woods or they were also used on farms for Lime spreading and general haulage, sometimes even used for transporting beaters on estates .
Comment left on 15 March 2016 at 16:44 by Jimmy Thain
This machine was found abandoned on what had been a former WW2 radio communications site, over grown with trees back in the seventies. Would the fact that it has left wheel drive be of any help?
Comment left on 16 March 2016 at 13:10 by Leslie Phillip
It sounds like it was never sold off by the MOD., that would explain the good condition.
If it was a Radio van it would have had a wood and metal body originally, they were often taken off and used as sheds, more useful than the vehicle its self.
I don't know what you mean by "left wheel drive"?
Comment left on 17 March 2016 at 20:43 by Jimmy Thain
If it was a Radio van it would have had a wood and metal body originally, they were often taken off and used as sheds, more useful than the vehicle its self.
I don't know what you mean by "left wheel drive"?
Comment left on 17 March 2016 at 20:43 by Jimmy Thain
Hi. Jimmy sorry for the confusion I meant left hand drive, the site is called Douglas Wood near Kirkbuddo I think it is now a boy scouts outward bound and camping area.
Comment left on 17 March 2016 at 22:44 by Leslie Phillip
Form Goes Here
The truck shown in Leslie Phillip's photo is either a Canadian 4x4 Chevrolet or a Canadian 4x4 Ford. The 'Desert pattern' cab shown was used by both.
The differences were: the Chevrolet had a 6cyl, overhead valve engine and banjo-type axles whilst the Ford had a V8 engine and split-type axles.
The truck shown is of the long wheel-base type.
When fitted with Garwood winch and crane jib it could handle up to 2 ton logs.
As a crane it was no match for an AEC Matador, but it was cheaper and sold well.
We even built one for the Forestry Commission: see my book: 'Plant and Roots' Comment left on 18 April 2015 at 15:56 by Ian Cameron, mobile fitter at Dunkeld in the 1960's