TRUCK, 15cwt, 4 x 2, BEDFORD MWD

The main British lorry of the war. From 1939 until 1945 Vauxhall Motors supplied vast quantities of vehicles to the armed forces and nearly 66 000 of these were based on the 15cwt 4 x 2 chassis. In addition to the common GS (MWD) truck, and its derivatives (FFW, Machinery, MWG Gun Portee, MWT Gun tractor) there were other body types, e.g water bowsers and radio vans. The Machinery 'K light' carried a Murex electric welding set. Early MWs had an open cab as seen in the large black and white picture.

Technical details:

Own 6-cyl. overhead-valve liquid-cooled petrol engine.

Cubic capacity 3519 cc.

Max. output 72 bhp at 3000 rpm.

Dry plate clutch.

4F1R gearbox.

6.2:1 axle gear ratio.

Hydraulic brakes.

Rigid axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

9.00-16 tyres on WD pattern split-ring wheels.

12-volt electronics.

20 gallon fuel capacity.

Dimensions and weights:

99" wheelbase.

Total legnth 172".

Width 78".

Height 90" (min 63").

Ground clearence 9".

Weight 4 730 lb, gross 7 730 lb.

 

Main picture: an early version.

Below: desert camoflage.

Bottom left: Machinery 'K light' variant. Bottom Right: MWC water tank.

Thanks to LooseCannon for the info, apologies that it took me 5 months to post (!).