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Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)

Ford F30 CMP 30 cwt Patrol Truck

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	Great Britain
First Produced/Service Dates:	1941
Manufactured by:	Ford Motor Company of Canada 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 MG, .50 cal Vickers Heavy MG, .55 Boys Anti-Tank Rifle and 37mm Bofors Anti-Tank Gun.
Engine:	8 Cylinder Gasoline
Miscellaneous Info:	In 1941 when the Long Range Desert Group's (LRDG) Chevrolet WA 30 cwt Patrol Trucks started wearing down from their use, a replacement was needed as soon as possible. At that time, the only realistic replacement was a modified Ford Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) 30 cwt (1 1/2 ton) 4x4 truck. The LRDG made their trademark modifications to the base trucks and the Ford F30 CMP 30 cwt Patrol Truck was born. Typical LRDG basic vehicle modifications were the fitting of sand tires, condenser cooling systems, cut down radiator grating, addition of unsticking equipment (sand channels and pioneer tools) and the famous Bagnold sun compass.  Furthermore, LRDG patrol trucks were also employed in specialized roles and equipped to accomplish those missions/tasks. Besides conducting basic patrols, some trucks acted as fittter's vehicles, "heavy" patrol vehicles, light artillery vehicles (including acting in the anti-tank role - the "scorpion's tail"), medical orderlies' vehicles and wireless/communications vehicles. Although the Fords performed admirably at their job, there were problems with them that were fairly substantial.  For instance, the 4-wheel drive components added a large amount of weight, better used for the transport of fuel, ammunition and equipment.  In addition, the 8 cylinder gasoline engine, although powerful, used fuel at a prodigious rate, when compared to the earlier 4x2 Chevys.  Finally, the Ford Engine was extremely susceptible to the desert sand and broke down frequently. Thankfully for the LRDG, in 1942 the iconic Chevrolet 1533x2 4x2 30 cwt Patrol Truck started to become available in large enough numbers, and subsequently replaced the Fords.  However, that was not quite the end of use for the Ford Patrol Trucks. After a number of costly raids and actions, the Chevy 1533x2 stock became very low and the Fords were brought back for use again. They seemed to serve fairly long with the group afterwards, considering they had been officially 'retired'.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
Ford F30 CMP 30 cwt Patrol Truck Photo	Imperial War Museum
Ford F30 CMP 30 cwt Patrol Truck Photos	Erik Johansen - South Shields, Tyne & Wear UK
Bagnold Sun Compass	Imperial War Museum

References Available

Online

Printed

Reference	Author
Desert Raiders: Axis and Allied Special Forces (1940-1943) - Osprey Battle Orders #23	Andrea Molinari
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
Special Forces Vehicles: 1940 to Present Day (Pen & Sword, Images of War)	Pat Ware

Hobby Modeling

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Model Photos