The CDSW was the last of a line of Morris Commercial 6 wheel vehicles which
started with the
D type in 1926. These were improved and redesigned over the years and there
were both civilian and WD versions of most types.
The letters, CDSW, can be 'translated' - C - for model - first introduced 1933.
D - for Double Axle - rear. S - Six Cylinder Engine. W - Winch fitted.
The first CDSW was made in 1935 being specifically designed to tow a field
gun hence the large tow hook at rear. In those days the gun would have been
an 18 pounder or a 4.5 Howitzer.
Both these were soon to be superseded by the 25 pr gun which gave such
excellent service in WWII.
In addition to the original Field Artillery Tractor version, there was a
Light Breakdown with jib crane for use by the RAOC - (REME had not then been
created).Later still about 1938 came the Light AA version to tow the Bofors gun.
Production of these latter two types continued after the war started and we
have traced one production run in 1940 of 980 Bofors CDSW and 160 Light
Breakdown CDSW.
Although the F.A. Tractor version of the CDSW had been superseded in 1939 by
the QUAD 4 x 4, a considerable number of CDSW went out with the BEF to
France in September, 1939.
1st and 2nd Division Field Artillery Regiments were equipped with CDSW and
in consequence the vast majority of this type were lost at Dunkirk.
The CDSW Bofors Tractor was used in the North African campaigns both by 1st
& 8th Army and in N.W. Europe. We also have on record that the Bofors
version was being rebuilt to Class 1 standard as late as 1946.
In December 1935 there was an order for 80 six wheeled open cars (6 seater)
on the CD chassis for use by staff and the Royal Artillery. The price was
£509. 12s. 7d. each.  About 1937 there was a prototype CDSW with an armoured
'front end'.
So much for the "life and times" of the CDSW; some vital statistics may be
of interest -ENGINE - 6 cylinder - 82 mm bore - side valve - 3485 cc - 60 BHP
GEAR BOX - Crash type - 5 forward - 1 reverse.
TYRES. - 9-00 x 16 TRAKGRIP "RUN FLAT". Messrs. Dunlop have confirmed that
our tyres are originals being made in 1937 & 1938.
DIMENSIONS - Overall length    16'6" Overall height 7,4"
Width Turning Circle 45'0"REAR
SUSPENSION - Originally a W.D. Design. Both rear axles have through overhead
worm drive with four star bevel pinion differential unit and fully floating
axle shafts. Reduction ratio 6.75 to 1. Rear axles articulate in such a
manner that, under most abnormal conditions, at least two driving wheels
maintain ground contact.
WINCH - 2" circumference steel cable, 120'0" length. Can winch from front,
as well as rear, by use of pulley guides front near side.  Lowest gear to
winch is 2nd, giving reduction 52.48 to 1.
Used to extricate the vehicle and or its gun or indeed other vehicles.
TRACKS - Further improvement of cross country performance is achieved by
fitting tracks to both rear wheels. Army nomenclature is "CHAINS OVERALL".
These chains are carried in a compartment over the rear wheels. The method
of taking up linkage wear is shown andis so neat and simple.
CLIMBING - The manual states that "with tyre treads in fairly good condition
the CDSW can climb a dry grass covered slope of 1 in 3.5 and if the surface
is a little more favourable the vehicle will climb I in 2.5". (One assumes
that this is without a gun on the back!)
CREW – Driver and complete gun detachment – Sgt, Bdr, and 4 gunners.
This particular CDSW was acquired in classical scrapyard condition in
September 1974 with only 16, 000 on the speedo. The low mileage can be
accounted for by the fact that it was a 'technical" vehicle. Certain vital
parts were missing, e.g. brake master cylinder as a result of which this
vehicle did not have a second career in a civilian role. Many CDSW were used
in the timber felling industry where its winch was of tremendous value.
Restoration continued throughout 1975 and well into 1976 ending just in time
for the Trans Pennine Run on 1st August 1976. The vehicle achieved 1st Prize
in its class and was also judged to be the best entrant out of approximately
80 from Yorkshire and Lancashire.
We have been able to prove this particular CDSW was manufactured in the last
half of 1938. Restoration has, therefore, taken place as if it was a vehicle
of the Regular Army of that period. Vehicles carried their Battery number in
those pre-war days and our vehicle is lettered 42/53 Field Artillery Bty,
(2nd Field Regiment RA, 1st Division.)
To ensure all possible accuracy pre-war photographs were obtained from the
Imperial War Museum. These, together with an original instruction manual and
parts list, have enabled the restoration to be as authentic as practical.
For instance these photographs showed that the axle weights were painted on
the nearside. FAW  Front Axle Weight. MAW = Middle Axle Weight and then HAW.
It stood for HIND which shows that the era of the horse had not then been
forgotten.
The lighting circuit revealed a switch in the stop lamp circuit to enable
the stop lamp to be cut out. This was for use at night in the forward area
when one would not want a red light to flash every time the footbrake was
applied.  No vinyl covered wiring was used. Authentic cotton braided wiring
took some finding.
The trafficators, which are required front and rear to comply with present
day regulations, have been made detachable so that the vehicle can be
"paraded" as it would have been in 1938.
A nearside wing mirror was not fitted in 1938 but we could not think of a
way of making that detachable without damaging the paint on the wing.
The vehicle has two Registration plates. RUB 425R is its correct 1976
registration. However, in 1938, all W.D. vehicles also had a civilian
registration and these were mostly Middlesex. Hence the JMX 842 registration
when "on parade" (off the road).
Restoration involved the removal of the body and then a complete strip. The
work was carried out in the garage of a private house without workshop
equipment.  The restoration team was basically four persons on most
Saturdays from midday to 5 p.m. plus many odd evenings etc. Advice and
assistance was given by many other friends and this is all very gratefully
"hereby" acknowledged.
In May 1977 we were able to take the vehicle on the London to Brighton run
of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club. We gained 2nd Prize in the Military
Class.In 1978 we undertook the restoration of a WW II Limber or more correctly
TRAILER ARTILLERY NO. 27. This “went” between the Tractor and the gun and
carried 32 rounds in trays immediately ready to fire. Production of these
trailers started in 1938 - ours was made in 1943 and has the number 13268.
It was rebuilt by the R.O.F. at Woolwich in 1961 when it was painted for the
desert. (It would be interesting to know which desert was in mind). The
trailer has 4 clamps on its top to enable the gun platform (or turntable) to
be carried.RICHARD PEACOCKROSECARTH,WEETWOOD MILL LANE,
LEEDS LS16 5NY. Tel. 0532 - 756106.FRANK SCHOLES PROJECT CHIEF TECHNICIAN.
PROJECT ASSOCIATES - MICHAEL PEACOCK - GEORGE BUTLER FROM 1978 -
RON DIXON & JO EGAN 1974 - 1977
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The Peacock CDSW Story

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