Stude Army truck in the movie "Australia"?

[StudeMann]

My wife and I recently watched the new movie 'Australia' in the theatre. The movie is set in Darwin and the Northern Territory during the beginning of WW II. During one scene after the Japanese attack on Darwin, I saw a fleeting glimpse of an army truck whose upper cab profile looked like an M-series Studebaker. Am I mistaken? Were Stude trucks used by the Australian military and if so, would an M-Series vehicle be correct in 1942?

"Ahh, a bear in his natural habitat...a Studebaker!"
Fozzie Bear in 'The Muppet Movie'

51 Land Cruiser (Elsie)
Jim Mann
Victoria, B.C.
Canada

[gordr]

I know for a fact that Australia bought quite a large number Studebaker US6 military trucks, which used an M-series cab with some modifications, like a swing-out windshield.

Whether they were available in Australia at the time the movie is set, though, is another question. Movie props people do take liberties sometimes.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[53k]

Of course it is far enough back to be questionable validity now, but when my wife and I were in Australia in 1980, the Melbourne newspaper had a story about some fire fighters who had perished in a serious grass fire. The truck in the picture, configured as a rough terrain firetruck, was a Studebaker US 6.

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine
1962 Gravely Model L (Studebaker-Packard serial plate)
1972 Gravely Model 430 (Studebaker name plate, Studebaker Onan engine)

[Andy R.]

Yes, that was indeed the distinctive rake of an M-series truck. My wife can confirm it, as I was "shushed" during that scene.[)]

Andy
62 GT

[Roscomacaw]

I was watching "Nature" on PBS last Sunday. The show was about cephalapods (sp?). Anyway, this researcher in Australia wanted to construct a special underwater camera to record Cuttlefish with.
It showed him rummaging thru an Aussie junkyard in search of parts for the special camera he was going to build. In one shot there was the UNmistakable shape of a C-cab cab just two vehicles away from where he stood.
The doors were off and the glass was out, but I've had enough of those cabs sitting around here thru the years to where it instantly registered with me! Anyone else see that?

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1963 Cruiser
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President two door

[avantilover]

Others would know more than I, but there were many Studebaker Trucks sent to Australia and used by the Army. Some I believe were still in crates when the war ended. They may not have been here in 1942 but Studebaker Military trucks would probably have sprung to the producer's mind when thinking of suitable vehicles.



John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Lockleys South Australia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31883343@N00/sets/72157607158071811/show/

[HAWK64]

There were many of the 6x6 Studebaker military vehicles used by the Australian Army & they still had them when I did my military training in 1956. At our last National Meet on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Easter 2007, the organisers managed to have sixteen on show. Details have been submitted to the Guinness Records for submission as the greatest gathering of this style of vehicle since WW2.


"QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER"
MELBOURNE.

[52-fan]

There was a post some months ago about the parade of Studebaker military trucks in Australia with a link to a video. A search should turn it up.


1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, both w/overdrive.Searcy,Arkansas
"I may be lazy, but I'm not shiftless."