Hi folks,

I'd like to build a 15cwt LRDG Chevrolet. Am I correct in assuming the front end of the truck would be the same as that on the 30cwt, with the exception of the bumper?

My plan would be to shorten the chassis and add the bed from either an Airfix or Italeri 15cwt.

Would anyone know if the 15cwt was used during the raid on Brace in September 1942 or were they mainly 30cwts? There were 12 trucks , 5 jeeps and 2 10ton Mack NR trucks used on the raid but I donlt know if the Chevrolets were all 30cwts or not?

Something like this is what I had in mind



Many thanks

Al

Hello Alan, I think your idea is just to the transformation of the truck. steph

Hi Steph,

Many thanks,

Al

Hi Al,
The 15 cwt 41-42 Chevy was adapted from the civilian Chevy AK model, available in 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton versions and several different wheelbases. The LRDG 15 cwt was the 125 1/4 inch wheelbase model The truck sits considerably lower than its larger cousin and the wheels are smaller, with 7.5 x 17 tires. The 15 cwt used a 216 cubic inch displacement engine which is outwardly identical to the slightly larger displacement engine of the larger truck, and the two are interchangeable. I have a photo showing a 15 cwt Medical Officer's truck parked beside two LRDG 30 cwt trucks, and the difference in size is quite evident. I tried to upload it to post it here, but it didn't work. Sorry.
If you can find a suitable set of wheels you may be able to modify the front end of the larger truck to make it look right. The photo Steph posted is of Bill Kennedy Shaw's truck, and you can see that it is quite low to the ground compared to the men standing around it.
I don't think any of the 15 cwt trucks took part in the Barce raid. By then, jeeps had replaced them as pilot cars.
A friend of mine has a 42 Chevy pickup which has military OD paint beneath the present finish. I've tried to convince him to cut the top off, get rid of the doors and convert it to LRDG configuration with no success. Maybe some day. . .
Good luck with your project.
Cheers
Dick

Hi Dick,

Many thanks for the info. A project for another donor kit then.

I shall do an LRDG jeep to go with the two 30cwts I have done already and perhaps do a stand alone kit of an early truck instead.

Cheers

Al

Alan' I believe I sent you copies of my 1311X3 conversion. I have in my notes that the wheel base is 113.5 inches and I shortened the Tamiya frame by 21 inches. I also removed the overload springs from the rear. The Italeri 15 CWT bed is a dead match to the width of the Tamiya frame. I've been dragging my feet on the most difficult part, making the front wheel cutouts smaller. I'm planning on using the wheels and tires from the terrable Wespe LRDG Ford.

Hi Miran,

It was your project that got me thinking about doing one. However, as alwasy there is more needed than I originally thought, so this is an information gathering exercise in the 1st instant.

Have you thought about how you'll lower the chassis? The basic chassis change looks fairly doable.

Look forward to developments.

With all Graham's new LRDG sets due to come along another truck is pretty certain.

I've been working on the new figs, which are coming along.



Cheers

Al

I'm still crawling out of the stone age and haven't learned to post photos yet. If you want to post those, feel free.

Hi Miran,

If you've no objection I'll do that.

Cheers

Al

Yes, feel free to do it

Miran's progress










Al

Milran,yor build is looking good.