An Appreciation

Canada has been credited with having made an outstanding contribution in her provision of military vehicles.

As part of this design development history, it is only fitting to record that this achievement resulted from the wholehearted co-operation of a large number of individuals.

It is true that Canada's automotive industry was well equipped physically; but it is equally true that these physical assets would not have been used to the same advantage had not a spirit of all-out-effort prevailed.

The Army Engineering Design Branch, placed as it was at a focal point of development,had a unique opportunity of witnessing the contribution provided by Individuals and groups. It is with a keen appreciation of the facts that this Branch pays tribute to both the Users and to Industry for the efforts put forth and to the honesty of purpose which was displayed.

The Users placed their design demand! In our hands in a way that permitted Industry to use its best judgment and initiative within the limits of the contemplated use of the vehicle. For the sake of the overall programme they often accepted compromises which must have been "hard to take". The understanding, displayed by the troops in the Field, toward design shortcomings spurred the designers to improve in a way that nothing else could have done.

The men of Industry buried Inter-company rivalry and co-operated In long hours of effort. Many times the requirements in the Field changed just when a new design was ready for release. Nothing could have been more disheartening but the vocal expression of the disappointment was usually restricted to one choice word. How well these awn did their job needs no elaboration here as the vehicles themselves represent the most authentic testimony.

The personnel of Army Engineering Design Branch count it a privilege to have had the opportunity of working with capable people who so wholeheartedly subordinated self interest to a common effort.

Foreword

During World War II, Canada produced upwards of 900,000 vehicles for Military users, these ranged in type all the way from modified conventional commercial trucks to tanks.

Obviously, a great deal of experience was gained as a result. Lessons were learned which applied to design, production, operation and maintenance. What value this experience may be for the immediate and the extended future cannot be foreseen at present; but it does not appear right to throw it away lightly.

Voluminous quantities of records were accumulated during the development, manufacture and use of these vehicles. Those, which are considered of any possible future value, are being retained. However, the quantity of correspondence, specifications, drawings and so forth is so great that it is questionable whether full use could be made of them without some key. Furthermore, it would be very difficult for anyone, other than those who were directly involved, to make proper summary of that intangible item "experience gained".

The Army Engineering Design Branch of the Department of Munitions and Supply was charged with its responsibility of obtaining or creating the design for these vehicles, in order to provide a key to the mass of design records and in order to record experience gained, this Branch is issuing a "Vehicle Development Record" of which this is Volume I.

The complete "Vehicle Development Record" consists of eight volumes,

Volume I - General (Including Index),
Volume II - Armoured Vehicles (other than tanks),
Volume III - Tanks and Tank Type Vehicles,
Volume IV - Self Propelled MT Chassis,
Volume V - Bodies and Non-Technical Vehicles,
Volume VI - Technical Vehicles,
Volume VII - Trailers,
Volume VIII - Mod and Snow Vehicles

Volume I deals with items of a general nature, but the remaining seven volumes refer to specific classes of vehicles or components, each of the latter volumes are further subdivided. In this manner, it has been possible to write a history of the development of each class of vehicle and to provide an illustrated data sheet for every individual vehicle which are not definitely obsoleted.

In writing the various "histories of development", a sincere effort has been made to be factual. Any suggestions for future consideration or any opinions given are clearly identified as such. It will be noted that discussion of design failures or weaknesses are not avoided. This is done so that the future designer may save time by avoiding some of the errors that were made during the war. In fact, it is EXPERIENCE, both good and bad, that is recorded.

An index, applicable to all eight volumes, may be found in the final pages of Volume I.

Reference is made in these books to the places where more detailed information may be found. Each page which describee an individual vehicle gives a list of such references, similar information is given throughout the historical text.

It is not intended that these books should be of use to the designer only. They are intended to form a general master reference which gives a broad description and which also provides the key references for the location of more detailed information. Thus, they should be of value to anyone as a starting point for inquiry or study.

December 31st, 1945