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1958 1/4 Ton Comparative Testing |
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In 1958 the Design Establishment was tasked under Test Instruction TI 1762 on 6 May 1958 to undertake comparative trials of a 4x4, 1/4 ton truck to assist Army HQ in making a decision to purchase a replacement for the GPW Jeep in use at the time. The purchase was noted to take place in the 1958/59 financial year, and must have been a sudden requirement as it was noted that because of time constraints that the testing was undertaken in two phases. Phase 1 involved limited running of vehicles and assessment with an interim report provided by 30 June 1958. Phase 2 was to be undertaken form 30 June 1958 until the phase 2 report was due on 30 September 1958. Phase 2 included further running and reliability testing comparing the initial control vehicle and 4 test vehicles with a sample of the current US pattern vehicle, namely a M38A1. Interestingly in the request for trials, it was noted that the Cj-3B and Gypsy were offered for trial free of charge, and that Landrover should be approached for a similar arrangement. It was also noted that arrangements through Willys (Aust) and AMM had been made to purchase two M38A1 vehicles. It was also noted that the time available would not allow for user trials. During the phase 1 trials the
vehicles carried a distributed load of 560lb, as well as a
driver and co-driver. During the trial they were driven on
first class roads to check automotive performance for about
100 miles each. They were then put onto the Mount Charlie and
Alpine circuits in the Monegeeta area so that any shortcomings
would be shown as soon as possible. It was also noted
that the only vehicle that required running in was the CJ-3B
as when it was received it had only done 24 miles. Interestingly in the Phase 1
report there were some enlightening notes on each vehicle: Control - GS (GPW) Landrover Willys CJ-3B (Aust) Gypsy Conclusions from Phase 1 Annex 1 to Interim Report A program of increasing the Australian content of the CJ-5 over
the following two years to a level similar to the Landrover was
noted as being desirable. It was also noted that because of the
Australian content that the price of the Landrover would be
increasing by £100 to £1,293. It notes that the CJ-5 is
the commercial version of the M38A1, with the only important
differences being 12v electrical system and the breathing system
for various components. It notes that the cost of an Australian
M38A1 without the deep wading or 24V system would be about
£1,550. It notes that apart from the deep wading and
performance figures, that the results of the M38A1 trial can be
taken as applying to the CJ-5. M38A1 Phase 2 Reports The
CJ-3B was found to be not acceptable for the Australian Army
due to a number of deficiencies. Lack of adequate body
strength and visibility are two factors that are singled
out, as well as the discontinuation of the model.
During this phase some 3,860 miles including
350 miles on first and second class roads, and the remainder
around the Mount Charlie circuit. The
Freighter vehicle was noted in a somewhat different light to
the others, as it was known that production vehicles would
not be available for purchase by the Australian Army as it
was a prototype. However the report encouragingly
notes that if the development of the vehicle continued it
was a very promising vehicle. After 76 miles of Phase 1
trials it suffered major suspension failure and was sent
back to the manufacturer for a rework. When it
returned it had approximately 3,400 miles. During the trials
5,724 miles were covered of which 1,882 miles were on first
and second class roads, with the remainder on the Mount
Charlie circuit. The
M38A1 covered 4,314 miles of running, of which 914 miles
were run on first and second class roads, and the remaining
mileage over the Mount Charlie circuit. It was noted
with some surprise, given that it was currently in service
with the US Army, that Spring Settling and Breakage occurred
during the testing, together with cracks in the front cross
member and sub frame being the most serious.The body roll on
the vehicle was noted as being particularly concerning for
the drivers, and after departing the road on one occasion
the vehicle was cornered more slowly than normal for this
class of vehicle. For when it was made, it was noted as
being acceptable (a post war design), but by modern
standards it began to fall short on comfort, durability and
handling. The
Landrover was noted as the type acceptable in relation to
the Australian Army's requirements. The only real problem
that was raised for consideration was the restricted range
due to the size of the fuel tank, something that was
rectified in later life in GS form with twin fuel tanks.
3,579 miles were covered in the phase 2 trials of which 1700
were first and second class roads, with the remainder a
large portion was run over the Mount Charlie circuit. The
remaining miles were run in the Snowy Mountain region, in
slush and snow, under conditions of great
severity. It was also noted that there was a
problem with the settling of the springs as the incorrect
springs were inadvertently fitted during the vehicle's
construction. A further report on the durability of the
vehicle was to be composed at the conclusion of 10,000 miles
and 25,000 miles respectively. In the end it was
concluded that it appears that the
Landrover Series 2, fitted with heavy duty springs
and shock absorbers, 7.50x16 tyres, a modified canopy, and
various other minor fittings would suit the role. Report Documents Photographs |
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