A 15cwt to the right, next to two 30cwt's. This picture gives a good impression of the 15cwt's smaller frame and lower ground clearance.
Chevy 15cwt 1311x3 - This smaller variant of the Chevrolet truck proved to be every bit as sturdy and desert-worthy as its larger brother, the 1533. 1311s were used as pilot cars from late 1941 until the arrival of Jeeps almost two years later; during that time, they partook in some of the longest missions LRDG undertook. After their replacement with the faster and lighter Jeeps, they were relegated to HQ to be used for a variety of purposes (HQ had already used a number of 1311s for their own purposes, most notably as a field ambulance).
Chevy 30cwt 1533x2 - The vehicle most readily associated by most people with LRDG, the 30cwt Chevy was the mainstay patrol vehicle for almost two years (starting service in March 1942). The sturdy Canadian design proved to be extremely reliable; there are several reports of these trucks falling headlong into sand pits several feet deep without taking any substantial damage. Captain Wilder of T Patrol during the Barce Raid even reportedly managed to ram an Italian tank at full speed, push it from the road to clear a path for his patrol, and still drive his badly damaged truck to safety.
LRDG's 30cwts were equipped with extra-large sand tires, cabs were removed and the body heightened with wooden planks to increase load. Windscreens were usually replaced with small aero screens. Wireless trucks had a special cabinet in the back to carry the radio set.
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