Please Support our Sponsors

Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)

Chevrolet WA* 30-cwt Patrol Truck

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	Great Britain
First Produced/Service Dates:	1940
Manufactured by:	Chevrolet Division of General Motors with LRDG modifications
Crew:	3-4
Armament:	Multiple armament packages were fitted to vehicles depending on the unit mission and/or specific vehicle's role/function. Weapons that were mounted included the .303 Lewis Machine Gun, .303 Vickers-Maxim MG, .55 Boys Anti-Tank Rifle and 37mm Bofors QF Anti-Tank Gun.
Engine:	6 Cylinder Gasoline
Miscellaneous Info:	The Chevrolet WA* 4x2 30 cwt (1 1/2 ton) Patrol Truck was the first, large reconnaissance vehicle developed and used by the Long Range Range Desert Group (LRDG). The LRDG learned their first lessons in combat operations and equipment development using the WA.  The LRDG procured thirty-three 1940 Model Year Chevrolet WA (short-wheelbase) 1 1/2 ton trucks (30 cwt). These vehicles were a mix of civilian models purchased from auto-dealers (19) and (14) Modified Conventional Pattern (MCP) trucks requisitioned from Egyptian Army.  MCP trucks were upgraded civilian vehicles manufactured for military use at the factory. With the Chevy WA, the LRDG developed their trademark modifications to the base patrol trucks. Typical LRDG basic vehicle modifications were the cutting down of the front-cabs, strengthening the suspension, fitting of sand tires, condenser cooling systems, addition of un-ditching equipment (sand channels and pioneer tools) and the famous Bagnold sun compass.  Furthermore, the LRDG started their practice of designing patrol trucks to be employed in specialized roles and equipped to accomplish those missions/tasks. Besides conducting basic patrols, the most notable specialized patrol truck was the light artillery vehicle, which also acted the anti-tank role. Although performing well, the Chevy WA trucks were worn out fairly soon due to hard use. They were replaced by the Ford F30 Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) 30-cwt Patrol Trucks, as they were the best option at the time. * In some references this vehicle is named the "WB".  However, this vehicle is in fact the WA Chevy model.  The WA trucks had a short-wheelbase chassis (133 in.), whereas the WB had the long-wheelbase chassis (158.5 in.) instead.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck Photo	Imperial War Museum
Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck Photos (Taken at the Imperial War Museum)	Major (Retired) Don Allen - Orleans, Ontario Canada
Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck Photos (Taken at the Imperial War Museum)	Patrick Keenan- Editor
Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck Photo	National Library of New Zealand
Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck with 37mm Bofors Anti-Tank Gun Photos	Imperial War Museum
Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck with 37mm Bofors Anti-Tank Gun Photos	National Library of New Zealand
Ford 01 Pilot Char (Left) and Chevrolet WA Patrol Truck Photo	National Library of New Zealand
Bagnold Sun Compass	Imperial War Museum

References Available

Online

Printed

Reference	Author
"Desert Chevrolets: A Lone Long Range Desert Group Survivor and Its Contemporaries"	Wheels & Tracks: The International Review of Military Vehicles - Issue #8
Desert Raiders: Axis and Allied Special Forces (1940-1943) - Osprey Battle Orders #23	Andrea Molinari
"Finding Waikaha" (June 2025 Issue of Classic Military Vehicles Magazine)	Vance Haynes
Long Range Desert Group In Action, The: 1940-1943 (Pen & Sword-Images of War)	Brendan O'Carroll
Long Range Desert Group, The: 1940-1945 (Osprey Publishing, New Vanguard 32)	Robin Jenner & David List
Long Range Desert Group, The: History & Legacy (Helion & Company) Review by Dr. Chris Lloyd-Staples	Karl-Gunnar Norén & Lars Gyllenhaal
Long Range Desert Group Patrolmen: The Western Desert - 1940-43  (Osprey Publishing, Warrior 148)	Tim Moreman
"LRDG Patrol Trucks: Desert Warfare" (April 2006 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine)	John Blackman
"Piracy on the High Desert" (June 2020 Issue of Classic Military Vehicle Magazine)	Toby Savage
"Searching the Sahara" (June 2020 Issue of Classic Military Vehicles Magazine)	James Davis

Hobby Modeling

For a Full List of Model Kits and Accessories related to the LRDG Chevrolet Patrol Trucks (WA & 1533x2), you can check out Scalemates.

Model Photos