Vandy1 VX-4 Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 Hello I was wondering if the royal Australian Air Force ever use the Tilly British light utility car? Does somebody have a photo of it? when I do a search I only see British Royal Air Force. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wumm Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 I think it's most probably a "No" Danny, at least here on home soil... Once the Japanese entered the War, Australia was pretty much left to her own devices until the Yanks arrived en masse. Along with all the infrastructure, they brought Jeeps and other specialist vehicles for their own airfield requirements. There would already have been Hillman and Austin cars here, many of which may have been converted to tray or panel configuration, but were mostly used as Farm runabouts and not for Military use. Specialised V8 Ford, Chevy and International brand pick-ups were already popular here by the time the War broke out, but these were more rugged for agricultural use, and are in another vehicle class. In early 1945, the British Government started sending Austin, Hillman and Standard Tilly's to Australia, to alleviate the general vehicle shortage here. As an aside; my Father had a 20 year old FJ Holden panel Van that we used to take down onto the beach to go Crabbing and Fishing in the '70's... My Grandfather used to call this a 'Tilly', as he did Dad's later 1982 Ford Falcon Utility. 'Ute' is the popular term here for a Sedan-based Pickup. S 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vandy1 VX-4 Posted May 21, 2021 Author Share Posted May 21, 2021 So a Jeep would look better next to a RAAF Mosquito Mk. VI ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wumm Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 Roger that... Jeeps (note the RAAF under windshield)... Or various marques of British or American truck... Or even Tractors. We were a mere bit player, so utilised anything the major powers brought with them. S 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vandy1 VX-4 Posted May 22, 2021 Author Share Posted May 22, 2021 Thank you for all the photos!!!!! That give me some ideas. I was thinking a Tilly and this fuel / Petrol truck I was gonna put it with the Tamiya Mosquito (Kit DECALS) in a diorama. might just use just the jeep on a runway of PSP plating / Marston Matt. I have the figures and the hats in the photos already cheers Danny 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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