Post War Australian Army Vehicles

[Tommy]

Thought I would start this thread so that members can post up photos of any 'obscure' post war (1950-1990) army vehicles apart from the Land Rover and 'ACCO's.

Feel free to post up photos and discuss anything you see in this thread .

[Tommy]

Some Staghounds

Staghounds were disposed of beginning in the late 1950s. Some were given to the RAAF as range targets, some were used on army AFV ranges as targets and yet others, with the 37mm gun de-activated sold to civilian purchasers. By 1970 there were only 36 Staghounds left in the Australian inventory, and they were then finally retired from service.





Not sure what happened here but it would seem that this Staghound made a rather hasty exit off the road.



Perth people may remember the Staghound that was the centrepiece of the childrens playground at the Floreat Forum many years ago. This Staghound was a favourite with the kids. During the late 60's - early 70's, my brother and I would play in it whilst mum would do the shopping. The engines had been removed but a lot of the interior was left in situ...including the main gun. A heap of my skin and hair adorned the interior as I often finish playing in the Staghound with blood running from wounds attributed to sharp edges .
The Staghound was eventually removed in the late 70s, returned to the army and used as a recovery aid. I believe it was reduced to a wreck after being rolled down some hills more than once for recovery purposes.



The 10th Light Horse were the primary users of the Staghound in WA. This example is on display at the Army Museum of WA. It has never been released from the army and still remains the property of the 10th Light Horse regiment.

[AGAS 5]

Great thread Stuart !

Here's another - HJ47 rebuild:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/747320-ex-aussie-army-hj47-rebuild.html

Pete

[Mike C]

Think you will find the one at AMWA is on charge to the Army History Unit, rather than XLH, since the museum belongs to the Army Museum Network.

The one that left the road in a hurry: looks like the old Hume Highway, with the Melb-Syd rail line adjacent. Ferret Mk.1 in the background. Looks like the (disgusted?) chappie on the roadside is wearing a black tank suit. Can't quite read the Unit and formation signs ....

The image above that is also interesting: black tank suits, A510 (or is it a No.38? - only seems to be in one pouch, so not an A510) wireless set, L1A1, Boots AB and Aust-type 'jungle' gaiters. Late 50s/early 60s.


Mike C

[FFRMAN]

Great thread Stuart !

Here's another - HJ47 rebuild:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/747320-ex-aussie-army-hj47-rebuild.html

Pete

Thanks Pete,

Great thread, I do like the cruisers ( was I thinkng out loud then! Dont tell anyone)

Cheers
Scott

[Aussie Jeepster]

Tommy - the memories of Floreat Forum!!!!!
I remember that Staghound very well as I went to Floreat Park school. I watched the center being built and was amazed then the Stag arrived.
I remember too well the brass handle that rotated the turret (before they welded it up!) and I remember how many young heads and necks got caught when the turret was being rotated
I was there when decimal currency came in so it was mid to late 60's.
Again, thanks for the memories!!!!

Perth people may remember the Staghound that was the centrepiece of the childrens playground at the Floreat Forum many years ago. This Staghound was a favourite with the kids. During the late 60's - early 70's, my brother and I would play in it whilst mum would do the shopping. The engines had been removed but a lot of the interior was left in situ...including the main gun. A heap of my skin and hair adorned the interior as I often finish playing in the Staghound with blood running from wounds attributed to sharp edges .
The Staghound was eventually removed in the late 70s, returned to the army and used as a recovery aid. I believe it was reduced to a wreck after being rolled down some hills more than once for recovery purposes.

[Tommy]

Tommy - the memories of Floreat Forum!!!!!
I remember that Staghound very well as I went to Floreat Park school. I watched the center being built and was amazed then the Stag arrived.
I remember too well the brass handle that rotated the turret (before they welded it up!) and I remember how many young heads and necks got caught when the turret was being rotated
I was there when decimal currency came in so it was mid to late 60's.
Again, thanks for the memories!!!!

G'day Aussie

I attended the Wembley Downs Primary school during the years 1968-74. The Floreat Forum was the largest centre in the area so thats where we did our shopping. The Staghound was a blessing for my mother as she could leave us in the playground knowing that we would still be there when she had completed her shopping duties . I would see the same kids from around the district every Saturday morning. The Staghound was our 'unofficial' clubhouse.

[Tommy]

Think you will find the one at AMWA is on charge to the Army History Unit, rather than XLH, since the museum belongs to the Army Museum Network.

G'day Mike

The Grant, Stuart, Staghound, Saracan and Ferret that are on display at the museum came directly from, 10th Light Horse, Karakatta Barracks. For many years, all five vehicles were displayed on concrete pads around the admin building. Not sure if they have been transferred over to the History Unit but I have been told that they 'belong' to 10th Light Horse.

[Mike C]

I don't dispute their origins: like most Units, XLH have/had a collection of 'stuff'. But with the advent of AHU as the command element for the AMN, all Defence-owned historical objects held on charge by museums and units were ledger transferred to their holdings, whoever might still like to lay claim to them. It was one of the many aspects of the AMN that got a few backs up during the settling in process.

Mike C

[Diana Alan]

AFAIK The 1/15 RNSWL Museum didn't join the AHU but remained a Regimental Museum. 

Many/most of the items in the collection are under the ownership of the Museum rather than the AHU, this particularly true of the artifacts from the colonial period and Bore War prior to Federation.  It has caused some friction between RNSWL and the AHU (is probably also why the museum has never been allocated a 106 RCL for their buggy, purchased privately with Museum funds).

It gives the Museum a lot more freedom not enjoyed by other AHU museums.  e.g. anumber of vehicles like the buggy and champ  are on NSW Historic Rego and are regularly taken out on parades and displays.  It also means they are able to maintain and use the vehicles in a mechanically operational condition, not something afforded to other museums.

Diana 

[Tommy]

Stags on parade through Horsham 1950



Stag 1955

[Tommy]

The following photos show what appears to be the entire compliment of vehicles on parade attached to 10th Light Horse here in WA. Photo was taken in the 1960's.



This photo was taken at Midland Vehicle Workshops sometime in the 1960s. From left to right can be seen...FB ute, S2 Command Recon, Ferret MK2s, EH ute, Ferret Mk1 and Staghound. These workshops eventually became the civilian operated 'Midland Military Markets' in the late 1990's. In 2007, the entire original workshop structure was burnt to the ground. Today, the site remains vacant.

[THE BOOGER]

some pics of 10th Light Horse and their veh in 1966

[THE BOOGER]

some more

[Carzee]

 
excellent, I like that. Some one's home movies?