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Detail Info
Object ID
1998.122.080d
Access Number
1998.122
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Photograph, Black & White
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REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION AND VETERANS
ASSOCIATION RÉGIMENTAIRE ET ANCIENS COMBATTANTS
Seaforth veterans in 15 Cwt truck, Holland 1995
Seaforth and Canadian veterans and Dutch children in a 15 CWT (15 hundredweight = 3/4 Ton) truck, vehicle number CZ4234717. The Weasel vehicle (photo 1998.122.080c) is behind them. On rear: "Holland 1995" in ink. Decal: Foto T.W. Hogendijk, Amsterdam
In 1935, Bedford began the development of a 15 cwt truck for the British War Office. This entered service as the MW in 1939, and 65,995 examples had been built by the end of World War II in 1945. The MW appeared in a bewildering range of roles, as a water tanker, general duties truck, personnel carrier, petrol tanker, wireless truck and anti-aircraft gun tractor among others.
The War Office designated 15 cwt vehicles, such as the MW, as trucks, and larger vehicles as lorries.
The 1939 K-, M-, and O-series lorries were quickly redesigned for military use. This was largely a matter of styling, involving a sloping bonnet with a flat front with headlights incorporated and a crash bar to protect the radiator in a minor collision. The military versions were designated OX and OY series, and again were put to a wide range of tasks, including mobile canteens, tankers, general purpose lorries, and a version with a Tasker semi-trailer used by the Royal Air Force to transport dismantled or damaged aircraft. This variant was popularly known as the "Queen Mary". A number of Bedford OXD 1.5 ton chassis were converted to make the Bedford OXA armoured vehicle. A total of 72,385 OY and 24,429 OX lorries were built. The Armadillo was an OY fitted for airfield defence with Lewis guns and an ex-aircraft COW 37 mm gun.

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