Morris C8
Encyclopedia
The Morris Commercial C8 FAT (Field Artillery Tractor) commonly known as a Quad was an artillery tractor
of the British and Commonwealth forces during World War II
.
It was used to tow field artillery pieces, such as the 25 pounder
gun-howitzer, and anti-tank guns, such as the 17 pounder
.
Although its sloped sides suggest otherwise, the Quad was not armoured.
identified a need for a new FAT to supplement, and then replace, the Light Dragon and Morris CDSWs then in service. A specification was issued for a four-wheeled, four-wheel drive vehicle, with winch, on a short chassis. It had to have a sloped all metal body to facilitate chemical decontamination, be able to carry a 16-inch gun wheel, or gun traversing platform, on the roof. Further, it had to be capable of carrying 24 complete rounds of 25 pdr ammunition in their boxes, and at least 8 boxed anti-tank shells, together with gun stores and kit for six personnel. Guy Motors
produced their design quite quickly using existing components, and Morris followed with theirs. It was a conventional design evolved from the CS8, but included a brand-new four-cylinder engine which was mounted on a subframe and not directly onto the chassis. Like the Guy, it had a very characteristic 'beetle back' shape with numerous external and internal lockers. The first Morris C8 Quad was delivered in October 1939 and it then stayed in production until 1945. There were two major changes to the mechanical side of the vehicle, and two independent ones to the body. The engine/chassis design was used on other Morris types, such as the C8 15 cwt truck, and a long-wheelbase version was used to produce a self-propelled Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Tractor.
Each regiment had 36 Quads; 24 towed a limber and gun, and 12 towed two limbers.
It was first issued in late 1939 and first used in action in France in 1940
, towing 18 pdr
, 18/25 pdr and 4.5 Howitzer
s. Many were lost as in the evacuation of the BEF from France and as a result some of these were taken into service by the Wehrmacht.
From June 1940 it was also used to tow 75 mm guns provided by the USA; these were towed both with and without limbers.
It was subsequently used wherever the FA Regts went, from Iceland to Malaya, primarily as a tractor for the, then new, 25pdr gun. It was also used by most of the Commonwealth and Allied units equipped with the 25pdr.
It was a popular vehicle although really too small for all the equipment that was carried. It was also underpowered when towing and loaded. Moving 9 tons with a 70 bhp engine was not ideal, and its speed uphill was unspectacular. Considerable use had to be made of the winch on hills and in mud.
Later in the war, when the Anti-tank Regiments were equipped with 6 pounder and 17 pounder guns, Quads were issued as tractors. Normally these guns were towed without a limber but some 17 pdrs were towed with limbers. This can only have been for the aid of the limber's brake, and a smoother tow, as the ammunition would not fit in a limber.
At the end of the War the Quad stayed in British service in the same roles. It saw extensive action in the Korean War
and Malaya.
Many of the Commonwealth and Allied forces took their Quads to their home Countries, and were provided with more ex British ones to fully re-equip. The Royal Netherlands Army
subsequently made extensive use of theirs in the East Indies
.
The British rebuilt many of their Quads in the early 1950s, extending their useful life until 1959 when the last was sold off. They were replaced by 3 ton tractors, which were derived from the Bedford
RL and Commer
-cabbed Ford 4E.
Mark I
Mark II.
Mark III
The body style appeared in three forms. Early "beetle back" was fitted to all Mk Is and approximately first 3,000 Mk IIs. Only two small windows on offside and one on nearside. All metal roof with two revolving vents.
The late "beetle back" was fitted to later Mk IIs and approx. first 4,000 Mk IIIs. Additional small window on nearside. Windows in both doors. Canvas roof mounted on cruciform steel frame over crew compartment. Two square vents in roof section behind canvas section. Large filler cap surrounds.
"Number 5 Body" was fitted to later Mk IIIs. A new square shaped body with complete canvas top with two circular hatches. Four doors with windows.
Quads in 25 pdr and Anti Tank Regiments had no need to carry the gun traversing platform on the roof. The brackets were duly removed, and usually substituted by a metal framework to provide an area for the storage of kit.
Artillery tractor
Artillery tractor is a kind of tractor, also referred to as a gun tractor, a vehicle used to tow artillery pieces of varying weights.-Traction:...
of the British and Commonwealth forces during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
It was used to tow field artillery pieces, such as the 25 pounder
Ordnance QF 25 pounder
The Ordnance QF 25 pounder, or more simply, 25-pounder or 25-pdr, was introduced into service just before World War II, during which it served as the major British field gun/howitzer. It was considered by many to be the best field artillery piece of the war, combining high rates of fire with a...
gun-howitzer, and anti-tank guns, such as the 17 pounder
Ordnance QF 17 pounder
The Ordnance Quick-Firing 17 pounder was a 76.2 mm gun developed by the United Kingdom during World War II. It was used as an anti-tank gun on its own carriage, as well as equipping a number of British tanks. It was the most effective Allied anti-tank gun of the war...
.
Although its sloped sides suggest otherwise, the Quad was not armoured.
Development
In 1937 the War DepartmentWar Department
War Department may refer to:* War Department * United States Department of War - See also :* War Office , a former department of the British Government...
identified a need for a new FAT to supplement, and then replace, the Light Dragon and Morris CDSWs then in service. A specification was issued for a four-wheeled, four-wheel drive vehicle, with winch, on a short chassis. It had to have a sloped all metal body to facilitate chemical decontamination, be able to carry a 16-inch gun wheel, or gun traversing platform, on the roof. Further, it had to be capable of carrying 24 complete rounds of 25 pdr ammunition in their boxes, and at least 8 boxed anti-tank shells, together with gun stores and kit for six personnel. Guy Motors
Guy Motors
Guy Motors was a British company based in Fallings Park, Wolverhampton that made cars, lorries, buses, and trolleybuses.-History:Guy Motors Ltd was founded in 1914 by Sydney Guy who had been the Works Manager of nearby Sunbeam. A factory was built on the site at Fallings Park, Wolverhampton...
produced their design quite quickly using existing components, and Morris followed with theirs. It was a conventional design evolved from the CS8, but included a brand-new four-cylinder engine which was mounted on a subframe and not directly onto the chassis. Like the Guy, it had a very characteristic 'beetle back' shape with numerous external and internal lockers. The first Morris C8 Quad was delivered in October 1939 and it then stayed in production until 1945. There were two major changes to the mechanical side of the vehicle, and two independent ones to the body. The engine/chassis design was used on other Morris types, such as the C8 15 cwt truck, and a long-wheelbase version was used to produce a self-propelled Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Tractor.
History
As a FAT the Quad served with Field Artillery Regiments.Each regiment had 36 Quads; 24 towed a limber and gun, and 12 towed two limbers.
It was first issued in late 1939 and first used in action in France in 1940
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, towing 18 pdr
Ordnance QF 18 pounder
The Ordnance QF 18 pounder, or simply 18-pounder Gun, was the standard British Army field gun of the World War I era. It formed the backbone of the Royal Field Artillery during the war, and was produced in large numbers. It was also used by British and Commonwealth Forces in all the main theatres,...
, 18/25 pdr and 4.5 Howitzer
QF 4.5 inch Howitzer
The Ordnance QF 4.5 inch Howitzer was the standard British Empire field howitzer of the First World War era. It replaced the BL 5 inch Howitzer and equipped some 25% of the field artillery. It entered service in 1910 and remained in service through the interwar period and was last used in...
s. Many were lost as in the evacuation of the BEF from France and as a result some of these were taken into service by the Wehrmacht.
From June 1940 it was also used to tow 75 mm guns provided by the USA; these were towed both with and without limbers.
It was subsequently used wherever the FA Regts went, from Iceland to Malaya, primarily as a tractor for the, then new, 25pdr gun. It was also used by most of the Commonwealth and Allied units equipped with the 25pdr.
It was a popular vehicle although really too small for all the equipment that was carried. It was also underpowered when towing and loaded. Moving 9 tons with a 70 bhp engine was not ideal, and its speed uphill was unspectacular. Considerable use had to be made of the winch on hills and in mud.
Later in the war, when the Anti-tank Regiments were equipped with 6 pounder and 17 pounder guns, Quads were issued as tractors. Normally these guns were towed without a limber but some 17 pdrs were towed with limbers. This can only have been for the aid of the limber's brake, and a smoother tow, as the ammunition would not fit in a limber.
At the end of the War the Quad stayed in British service in the same roles. It saw extensive action in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and Malaya.
Many of the Commonwealth and Allied forces took their Quads to their home Countries, and were provided with more ex British ones to fully re-equip. The Royal Netherlands Army
Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
subsequently made extensive use of theirs in the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
.
The British rebuilt many of their Quads in the early 1950s, extending their useful life until 1959 when the last was sold off. They were replaced by 3 ton tractors, which were derived from the Bedford
Bedford Vehicles
Bedford Vehicles, usually shortened to just Bedford, was a subsidiary of Vauxhall Motors, itself the British subsidiary of General Motors , established in 1930; and constructing commercial vehicles. Bedford Vehicles was a leading international truck manufacturer, with substantial export sales of...
RL and Commer
Commer
Commer became known in later years as a maker of vans for the British Post Office—particularly the Commer FC which was introduced in 1960 with many body styles, including a 1500 cc van. After engine and interior upgrades it was renamed the PB in 1967 and the SpaceVan in 1974...
-cabbed Ford 4E.
Variants
- Only 200 made in 1939 and very early 1940. Front axle had provision for a differential lock. Front axle mounted above the springs. Permanent 4 wheel drive. Central accelerator. 10.50 X 20 inch tyres.
Mark II.
- Approx 4000 made in 1940 and early 1941. As for Mk I save for change in front axle design, removing provision for diff lock.
Mark III
- Approx 6000 made from 1941 to 1945. Front axle mounted below the springs. Optional 4 wheel drive. Accelerator mounted conventionally as the right pedal. 10.50 X 16 inch tyres.
The body style appeared in three forms. Early "beetle back" was fitted to all Mk Is and approximately first 3,000 Mk IIs. Only two small windows on offside and one on nearside. All metal roof with two revolving vents.
The late "beetle back" was fitted to later Mk IIs and approx. first 4,000 Mk IIIs. Additional small window on nearside. Windows in both doors. Canvas roof mounted on cruciform steel frame over crew compartment. Two square vents in roof section behind canvas section. Large filler cap surrounds.
"Number 5 Body" was fitted to later Mk IIIs. A new square shaped body with complete canvas top with two circular hatches. Four doors with windows.
Quads in 25 pdr and Anti Tank Regiments had no need to carry the gun traversing platform on the roof. The brackets were duly removed, and usually substituted by a metal framework to provide an area for the storage of kit.