The M152 is loosely
described as a "panel utility truck" on the data plate
and user manuals. Others have described it as a Canadian version
ambulance, which is quite wrong. While similar in looks and
basic construction to the M43 ambulance, the similarities end
there. The first difference which you notice right away is the
four windows on each side of the rear section of the truck.
Also, it has one rear door, instead of the two, like on the
M43.
The M152 was designed
as a radio truck for the Canadian military. Only a few were
made for the US military (100-150) as an experimental version
and were designated the XM152.
They never went into any great production in the US as they
preferred the M42 radio truck. The M42 was chosen as it performed
the same function as the XM152, but was cheaper as it was offered
as a conversion kit for many standard M37's. The Canadian and
US version are easily differentiated by the rear door, as the
Canadian version has one rear door and the US version has a
double set of doors like the M43 ambulance. 1038 of these trucks
were produced for the Canadian military by Chrysler in Windsor,
Ontario, Canada. Inside sat a radio operator which directed
radio traffic and transmitted orders across the battlefield.
These
trucks usually were located close to the commander in a forward
or rear command post. They were needed close by to give information
of what was happening to the commander and to give out orders
to the soldiers in the field. Some were even outfitted with
a pole system on the roof which a tent was connected to. This
let the soldiers connect a tent to the rear of the vehicle for
others to work under. In the manuals for this truck, there is
mention of a trailer for it to haul that would contain a generator
and extra battery backup system. It is not sure if these trailers
were ever used as not everything listed in military manuals
was actually implemented.
Inside
the back of the truck, a radio operator sat in the middle of
a U shaped desk covered in radio equipment. The table ran from
behind the front cab, up the right side and jetted back out
into the middle of the space. On the left hand side, over the
wheel well and to the back of the truck was a shelf unit which
held more radio equipment and spare parts. Several lights were
installed in the ceiling, letting the operator see what he was
doing. A switch was connected to the rear door, shutting the
lights off if the door was opened as not to give away their
position in the dark. Roll down canvas shades over the windows
also helped in blocking out the light. The door that led from
the front cab to the rear was not very practical as the table
and radio equipment blocked someone from walking through. Yet
there was enough room for someone to squirm through in case
they needed.
On the exterior of
the truck was mounted several antennas, a heater on the front
drivers-side fender to provide heat in the cab, and a small
generator on the passenger-side fender. All M152's also had
a spare tire mounted on the drivers side door just like the
M43 ambulance. This detail was even drawn onto the data plate
for the truck, which is unusual as most data plates only show
the basic outline for a vehicle.
We have a very hard
to find Operators Handbook for the M152 available for download.
This gives very detailed information on how the M152 is outfitted,
including instructions on how to install the equipment found
in the truck. There is also a small installation guide for the
AF/IC-67 radio set. You can download them below.
.JPG)
These
trucks usually were located close to the commander in a forward
or rear command post. They were needed close by to give information
of what was happening to the commander and to give out orders
to the soldiers in the field. Some were even outfitted with
a pole system on the roof which a tent was connected to. This
let the soldiers connect a tent to the rear of the vehicle for
others to work under. In the manuals for this truck, there is
mention of a trailer for it to haul that would contain a generator
and extra battery backup system. It is not sure if these trailers
were ever used as not everything listed in military manuals
was actually implemented.
Inside
the back of the truck, a radio operator sat in the middle of
a U shaped desk covered in radio equipment. The table ran from
behind the front cab, up the right side and jetted back out
into the middle of the space. On the left hand side, over the
wheel well and to the back of the truck was a shelf unit which
held more radio equipment and spare parts. Several lights were
installed in the ceiling, letting the operator see what he was
doing. A switch was connected to the rear door, shutting the
lights off if the door was opened as not to give away their
position in the dark. Roll down canvas shades over the windows
also helped in blocking out the light. The door that led from
the front cab to the rear was not very practical as the table
and radio equipment blocked someone from walking through. Yet
there was enough room for someone to squirm through in case
they needed..jpg)
