Hi all,

Recently, I came across this picture in a book ‘Singapore Burning’ showing a group of soldiers pushing a car off the docks at Keppel Harbour. I am trying to identify the type of car shown in this photo, can anyone help out.

My great-grandad, Robert Guy Young was a British rubber planter in Malaya before WW2, and had a family living with him. Because of his service in WW1, he was recalled to the RAF when the Japanese invaded Malaya. He survived the retreat and made his way to Singapore in his expensive Wolseley car. When he reached the docks at Keppel Harbour, he was told he would have to abandon his car, so it was promptly pushed into the water. Robert boarded a ship, only to have it sunk beneath his feet, but he survived and was held POW for the remainder of the war.

Here is a picture of my great grandad's Wolseley car. Do you think it is the same one as the one in the previous picture?

Regardless of whether or not this is actually my great-grandad's car, I'm going to build a diorama of this scene. Does anyone know if there is a 1/35 or 1/32 scale Wolseley on the market?

Chas

Well there's a high chance of it being the same one... Were there many of these in Singapore back then?

I'm not sure. There were a lot of British rubber planters in Malaya who could afford such cars. But I agree, there is a good chance it is the same one. Being the same harbour, same model car (I think, this is where I need help) there is a lot of evidence to support my theory.

Thanks for the reply Russell

Chas

Hmm upon closer scrutiny... It seems the car that the British troops were pushing off is a bit longer than the Woseley your grandfather had... Also, it seems like it lacks the silver metal piece at the side of the engine hood.

True. But it could be because of the camera angle. The picture of the car being pushed has been taken side on. The picture of my grandad's care is at more of an angle. Maybe this gives it the appearance of it being shorter. As for the silver pieces, perhaps the car was stripped of any valuable bits before being pushed overboard?? Maybe it simply is a different car.

The picture I have scanned from the book is very small so I have sent off for a bigger, higher quality copy. As soon as I get it we can have a closer look.

Chas

Hi Chas,

Can't help with the car but it would make an interesting dio. Good luck in you're surch.

Al

The rear end looks like a citroen, matchbox made one years ago, it comes up on e-bay now and then, other than that its montys humber. both of these are 1/32 scale. there are quite a few model cars around for this time period but most are american . pyro and lifelike seem to have the largest selection and they are all 1/32. best place to find them are at shows and e-bay. good luck in your project.

Thanks all,

I have had a message from Jesper who says that the car looks very much like a Citroen 11C. The extended length model with three rows of seats. I tend to agree with him.

Now, does anyone happen to have any pictures of Keppel Harbour. In particular the wharf areas that have remained un-altered since 1942. This will help me replicate the right cobblestone (?) pattern of the wharf wall and walk-way for my diorama. It would be great to see a picture of a similar section of the wharf to the one in the picture.

Chas

Also, does anyone know a good website with lots of civilian cars in 1:35 or 1:32?

I agree with you that the two cars do not look the same. However, it could be a very interesting diorama based an a great story.

Keep us informed

Well i'm afraid Keppel Harbour has changed a lot since... You'll see gigantic cranes of sorts...

Me too ...But it could also be a Familiale which had the same body (but not the 2-part rear hatch)

1939 "Commerciale" model :


Des Kit makes a resin 1/35 Traction Avant Legere (kit #35064)

If you're not on a budget, Wespe Model has released several resin 1/35 civilian car kits (mostly German) :
Wespe Models website
HTH
Frenchy

Thanks everyone,

Thanks Frenchy for the pointers. Gee, they're so expensive. Maybe I should scratchbuild/covert the lot, using cheap kits like Airfix's Humber for conversions.

Does anyone know a good reference site for Wolseley cars?


Chas

Maybe you should take a look HERE (many interesting links there..)

HTH
Frenchy

Wow, great site! That will help me a lot.

Thanks again Frenchy,

Chas

Hi Chas,
Just joined the site and found the discussion of your dio idea. Sounds really great. Any developments since then?

It's great to see someone with an interest in modelling the Pacific War, particularly in Singapore.

Very cool photo...

FYI, Tamiya has just come out with a 1/35 Citroen IICV in plastic and the price is pretty reasonable.

Here's an article from PMMS

Cheers mate.

I've already scratch-built nearly the entire car. Always the way...

Chas

Well, I guess we have you to personally thank for Tamiya's release then!!

Wierd! I could have sworn somebody on this site was already doing this particular dio and was almost finished.

Scary!

yeah! chas has,
see they were no heroes.