1930 Morris-Commercial D-Type shooting/hunting lorry.
Every now and then, a photograph of a properly oddball vehicle will turn up. This amazing machine was built for use as a hunting/shooting vehicle. It's based on a Morris-Commercial "D-Type" three-axle, ten-wheeled chassis (at first I thought it was a six-wheeler until I looked more closely). Val sent over the photo, one of many motor-related images she discovered in an old family album. In the early years of the 20th Century, her family were keen game hunters, which led to this astonishing vehicle, referred to as the "Morris Tank", being built especially for the job. The location for this photograph is Scotland, although presumably the vehicle was intended for use in a distant land.
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The family were in good company with owning the Morris, as a similar vehicle that also used the D-Type chassis was built for the then Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) to use in Africa.
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A total of eight wheels are fitted to the two rear axles, in a bid to give extra traction for off-road excursions. Nothing is currently known of who is responsible for the Morris' stylish bodywork, I'm hoping that by publishing this photo, more information on this (unique?) vehicle will be uncovered.
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The coachwork fitted to the Prince of Wales' Morris was an enclosed, box-like, construction, offering more weather protection than the vehicle shown above could muster. Luxuries such as a built-in kitchen, a shower/bath, and a WC featured in the Royal vehicle. It also looked quite workmanlike, whereas Val's family photo shows a more styled, but arguably less practical, creation.
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Can anyone shed more light in this machine?
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Return to Page 19 in the photographic archive, or visit the main index here. A photograph of a D-Type serving with the RAF as an ambulance has also been added in now, and can be seen here.
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