Hi all My names is Niels, I live in the little Nordic country Denmark and I have been collecting vintage cars since I was teenager. I currently have a couple of cars and trucks of different makes and my prized possession is a 1941 Canadian Military Pattern Chevrolet Cab12 gun tractor. A truck that I had wanted since I, as a child, build a model kit of it. I have one additional truck that I would like to own, a 109" wheel base, 1941-47 Chevrolet COE.
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It's great to have another contributor to the forum who represents Chevrolet's military history. I think we could use more people with more information about this important and under appreciated part of Chevrolet history. We're lucky to have you.
Welcome!
PS Any and all pictures of the details of your vehicle will be welcome and appreciated!
Hi Stovblt I think in the USA, Chevrolets contribution to the war effort is overshadowed by GMC CCKW 353, but in the Commonwealth and the countries that served with the British (Poland and CZ eg.) it seems there is a growing appreciation for the CMP vehicles. Mine is second iteration of the cabs, and one of in total 22,891 (of all 3 cab iteration) gun tractors produced by Chevrolet and Ford. The origins of the CMP where vehicles built to fulfill British military requirements, its fitted with the 216" engine, 4 speed transmission, with a two speed transfer box, and a power take off for the winch ( which is based on a Ford axle)
Yes Smørum is just outside Copenhagen. I actually bought my Chevrolet in Norway, from the city Tromsø 200odd miles north of the artic circle, we never had cab 11 or 12 in Denmark, only cab 13. I might get a cab 13 Chevrolet gun tractor modified by the Danish army later this year.
This is really outside my field of knowledge (which isn't large in the first place :-). But sure is cool and interesting. I have had my hands on a Danish issue M1 Garand with a Danish issue bayonet and sheath to go with it though!
I don't think your writing is esoteric at all. I'd call it INTERESTING!
I've done some reading on military Chevrolets in the past, but now you've rekindled my interest.
So... If what I've read is true, the example of the first cab style you posted directly above is one of the F*rd made examples as evidenced by the square mesh in the grill. The second and third are Chevrolet built by the diamond mesh in the grill (and of course the bow tie badge). Correct?
I presume that the CMP is the main reason that NOS parts for 216 cid Chevrolet engines can still be found in Europe, as G506's used the 235 and the CCKW of course used the 270 GMC.
With the very early CMP's (cab11) like the one in the picture things becomes a bit more "gray" than black and white. So you cannot identify on grill mesh alone, there was more mix then, eg I had a Ford with Chevrolet axels installed at the factory. But on the later, yes diamond pattern stamped plate mesh Chevy, wire square mesh Ford. Yes we did have a pile of CMP's and CCKW's here in Europe, and some where held in reserve stock until the early 90ties, and therefor also spares. The big 6x6 Chevy CMPs also used the 270" GMC, together with the chevy based armoured cars
Very nice Niels! Glad to have you aboard!