280114 – Morris Quad MKII/MKIII

280114

Morris C8 “Quad” Mk II / Mk III

Field Artillery Tractor

The Morris Commercial C8 FAT (Field Artillery Tractor), commonly known as a Quad, was an artillery tractor used by the British and Commonwealth (including Canadian Army) forces during the Second World War.  It was used to tow field artillery pieces, such as the 25-pounder gun-howitzer, and anti-tank guns, such as the 17-pounder.

In 1937 the War Department 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.  Guy Motors produced their design quite quickly using existing components, and Morris followed with theirs.  It was a totally new but conventional design evolved from the Morris CS8 15-cwt GS truck.

It included a new four-cylinder engine mounted on a sub-frame and not directly onto the chassis.  Like the Guy, the body had a very characteristic slope sided, “beetle back” shape.  Although its sloped sides suggest otherwise, the Quad was not armoured.  It was all-metal and designed to facilitate chemical weapon decontamination, as well as to enable a gun traversing platform to be carried on the rear roof section.  In addition to 6 men, it was capable of carrying 24 complete boxed rounds of 25-pounder ammunition and at least 8 boxed anti-tank shells, together with vehicle and gun detachment equipment.

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 Morris 15 cwt truck.  A long-wheelbase version was used to produce the C9B self-propelled Bofors Light Anti-Aircraft Tractor.

Only 200 Mark I were made in 1939 and very early 1940.  The front axle had provision for a locking differential, and the axle itself was mounted above the springs.  The vehicle had permanent four-wheel drive and 10.50 × 20 inch tyres.  The accelerator pedal was mounted centrally rather than in the conventional position as the right-most pedal.  Approximately 4,000 Mark II were made in 1940 and early 1941.  It was almost identical to the Mk I, save for a change in front axle design which removed the provision for the locking differential.  Approximately 6,000 Mark III were made from 1941 to 1945.  The front axle was mounted below the springs, and four-wheel drive could be switched on or off as required.  Tyres were 10.50 × 16 inch size, and the accelerator was mounted conventionally as the right pedal.  A total of over 10,000 units were built.