Here is a unknown truck in service of Russian Red Cross anno 1915. What is it? I think some american truck... russian 5-ton truck Russo-Baltique T 40/65 HP have also this look, only Russian is not so long...
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Hmmm. It's right-hand drive, if that makes any difference. A long shot, but could it be an Armstrong-Whitworth?
Oops. Don't know what happened there.
-- Edited by James H at 14:39, 2008-12-16
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The rad, very heavy chassis and rear wheels are all similar to a US built Riker, although from the small photo it is a bit hard to tell. Front wheels are metal spoked which i have not seen on a Riker before and the distinctive Riker front cross member is not visible. So, i am undecided. Any chance of a better scan of the lorry?
Do you think the rear hub looks like a Riker? It looks very different to me. The cab doesn't have an American feel to me either, more Germanic in style.
A distinguishing feature is what appears to be louvres running part way down the bonnet. I'm currently thinking it could be a Praga from Czechoslavakia.
I have no big scans, sorry. Riker it is no! Now I think also it is a european lorry. Russian army have befor 1914 many trucks and cars from Germany and Austria. I see in statistic no austrian Praga in Russia, only Laurin-Klement, Austro-Fiat and RAF...
Here is statistic of lorrys in service of Russian Imperial army 01.07.1917:
as I am not a specialist in softskin vehicles I just would like to spend my thoughts.
Back in German Army we had the phrase of "Russian style maintenance", which means: you canibalize a vehicle to repair or complete another. And thats what they often did back during and after WW1. And not only the Russians, as also Germany for example had a big lack of spare parts. Just as an example: they put the armour of a captured Lancia IZ on another chassis. So maybe the Russian did the same with several spare parts to put one lorry together?
Back in German Army we had the phrase of "Russian style maintenance", which means: you canibalize a vehicle to repair or complete another. And thats what they often did back during and after WW1. And not only the Russians, as also Germany for example had a big lack of spare parts. Just as an example: they put the armour of a captured Lancia IZ on another chassis. So maybe the Russian did the same with several spare parts to put one lorry together?
Yes, it's also possible. I sea russian Austin armoured car on White chassis and others with some parts assemled (repaired) trucks and cars. Now, this lorry with ambulance-train look as new and original.
Do you think the rear hub looks like a Riker? It looks very different to me. The cab doesn't have an American feel to me either, more Germanic in style.
A distinguishing feature is what appears to be louvres running part way down the bonnet. I'm currently thinking it could be a Praga from Czechoslavakia.
Yes i think you are right. certainly not a Riker. I have seen a similar semi louvred bonnet on a Dixi and Graft and Stift, and it does not like either of those. An interesting one.
No Dixi, 100% no Dixi (too long)!!!. Graef & Stift? ...possible.... The cab and radiator look as Russo-Balt T 40/65 HP, now.. for Russo-Balt is also too long...
Pictures of Russo-balt T panel truck 1913 and Ruso-balt T anti-aircraft gun (Poutiloff - 76 mm Lender-Tarnovski canon) 1914.
If you have a close look at the picure with the group of Red Cross personnel, there are some markings on the chassis, directly above the head of the tall officer. Is there a letter K followed by something else? Is that a clue?
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