Made in Canada - Canadian Military Pattern vehicles
Index
My Ford F15A
Mystery CMPs
Non-CMP vehicles
Links
Buying an old army truck > F15441-M-PERS-3 s/n 109943 >
PERS-3
 > Beltring and beyond > Bits 'n bobs
Shown left are the data plates on my 1943 CMP Ford F15A. They read as follows:

CHASSIS: F15441-M     CAB: 13
CHASSIS SERIAL: 109943
ENGINE SERIAL: 3G-66964-F
CD 1513     BUILT: JAN. 13 - 43

VEHICLE CODE: F15441-M-PERS-3
F15441-M stands for Ford, 15 cwt, 4x4, 101" wheelbase, Military pattern (designation would change to F15A after 17 Jan. 1944). The code PERS-3 denotes the third version of the personnel variant. So this 15 cwt was used as a troop carrier.

According to a copy of the AEDB Data Book Canadian Military Vehicles (dated 15 May 43), the 15441-M-PERS-3 was a cab 13 with body no. 2C1. The description is as follows:
"Standard G.S. body with tubular superstructure and canopy. Seats are provided in this body for six men, three on the right hand side, three on the left hand side. Equipped with one P.O.W. can carrier." 
The same book lists four versions of the truck in two wheel drive with Pers-3 and -4 having a spare tire carrier between the body and cab. Pers-4 was equipped with an L.M.G. mounting.

According to Bill Gregg's PROFILE No. 16 the "15441-M-PERS-3" truck has a "2J1 'Budd' Steel Bolted K.D." (K.D.='Knock Down') body. The 2J1 is a standard cargo body for a Cab 13 15 cwt, made of steel. 

The Illustrated BODY PARTS LIST D.N.D. Special Pattern Bodies (October 1941) lists the following parts for the Personnel Carrier variant of the 15-cwt. steel body:
 

BACKREST AND SEAT ASSEMBLY
Part number
Description
Quantity per job
P
C
1668
1670
1671
104267
1666
1610
142745
120387
1411
910
1412
106447
106448
930
946
1413		 BACKREST ASSEMBLY - Detachable
      CLIP STRAIGHT - Detachable Backrest
      CLIP FORMED - Detachable Backrest
      FLAT HD RIVET - 5/16x1
FRAME ASSEMBLY - Wheel Well Seat
CLAMP - Seat Strap
WING NUT - 5/16-18
PLAIN WASHER - 5/16
CUSHION ASSEMBLY - Seat
      CORD - No.3 Braided Cotton (Specify Length)
  COVER - Seat Cushion
      SOCKET - Fastener (No. 609)
      CLINCH PLATE - Fastener Socket (No. 708A)
      STUD - Tubular Rivet Fastener (No.C95500)
      STUD - Tubular Rivet Fastener (No.C380013)
  PAD - Seat Cushion
2
4
4
12
2
4
4
4
4
AR
4
24
24
4
8
4

I have no data on the number of personnel trucks built, but George Forty's BRITISH ARMY HANDBOOK 1939-1945 (1998), gives an idea of how many were used. In 1944, the infantry division was issued 1937 trucks and lorries. These included the following variants of the 15 cwt truck: one office truck, one truck personnel, and twenty-six trucks general service.
The seats consist of padded cushions attached to the wheel well. There is a seat back attachment that hooks on the side panel. 

The picture left is captioned: "Chevrolet 15 cwt Model 15441-M-Pers-3 with Type 2H1 composite wood and steel personnel body. Note seat backs mounted on side walls over wheel wells."

Scan courtesy of Colin Macgregor Stevens
According to factory pictures of the canopies on both versions (2- and 4 wheel drive) they have a plastic window on each side and 2 on the rear curtain.

Shown left is a 1944 Chevrolet C15A preserved in Canada. It is fitted with an original 1943 dated canvas canopy on which the plastic windows have been covered over. It seems this is the type of canopy that would be fitted to the 15 cwt PERS type truck.

Source: Maple Leaf Up: CMP 15 cwt Truck
This rear view clearly shows where the 2 windows of the rear curtain would be located.

Source: Maple Leaf Up: CMP 15 cwt Truck
Further reading on the subject
With special thanks Colin Macgregor Stevens, Rob Love and Fred Olsen for providing details and images.

Page created 15 June 2001
Updated 05 March 2003

Copyright © 2000-2003 H.L. Spoelstra - All Rights Reserved
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1