WWII photo of Terrapin, British counterpart of the DUKW

[Leo Verhagen]

A nice photo from a very rare vehicle: The British Morris-Commercial Terrapin MkI, the counterpart of the American GMC-DUKW. There are not many Terrapins build, because the DUKW was much better.
There are 2 ( )Terrapins on this photo, taken in Domburg, The Netherlands in November 1944.

[Conny]

A WWII 8X8 Amphib? That's very cool. Any collectors own one?

[Steven Malikoff]

G'day Conny,
There's the remains of one in Victoria, Australia and there is at least one in the UK, probably more.
Great photo Leo, thank you for posting it!

[Leo Verhagen]

Hello Steven,

I knew their was one in the UK, but never knew there was also one in Australia. Thanks for that info.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

there was also one in Australia

Leo, see pics of it here: http://oldcmp.net/terrapin_1.html

More wartime Terrapin pics to be seen on Maple Leaf Up

Thanks for your picture, a new one to me!

Hanno

[Conny]

Nice pics Hanno. Seems like enough to rebuild one but it would be a hellava project.

[Leo Verhagen]

Hanno,

Thanks for these great sites with the photos.
It would be great if that terrapin could be restored one day, but that will not be an easy job. Should there be any Manuals left of this vehicle?

I read somewhere that the terrapin had 2 engines, one for the right wheels and one for the left wheels, and therefore there was not much cargo-space left.

The photo I posted came out of a private colection, this was the only one with a terrapin, but there were some more with DUKW and waterweasels.

[Steven Malikoff]

This is the one in the UK that is being restored:
http://www.wheatcroftcollection.com/home.html
External photo: The Inventory | British | Softskin Vehicles | Thornycroft Terrapin
and the main set if high res images:
http://www.wheatcroftcollection.com/terrapin.html

[Leo Verhagen]

Thanks very much Steven.

I learn more and more about this remarkable and rare vehicle.
According to the book from Bart Vanderveen around 500 Terrapins must have been build. So far only 2 have survived?

[Leo Verhagen]

Today I found anoher wartime Terrapin Photo. This photo was taken October 8, 1944 at 'Nieuwe Neuzenpolder, Zeeuwsch Vlaanderen, The Netherlands':

[Ian Grieve]

Leo

Hi there. It was great to catch up with you when I was with Jan in The Netherlands. I will drop you a line.

I saw a lot written on the Terrapins when at National Archives London and in various Corps Archives in South East UK. I also saw motion film of them under test with a GPA, Aqua-Cheetah and DUKW at COXE Westward Ho and WVEE Farnborough. I was really surprised at what I saw and can give you reference to files, film, etc. if you want.

Ian

[Gordon_M]

One in Oz, one hulk in Wales, neither much use as far as I know.

Many, many moons ago, there was at least one Terrapin giving beach / sea rides off Leith, near Edinburgh, but I've been around that area for 35 years now and never seen it, or any remains.

I understand they were DUKW-sized, twin engined, slow, and you can see in the shots the front axle was lifted up so they normally ran as a 6 x 6 till they had to cross something.

First version had the cabin in the middle, second version had the cab at the front, don't know the split of numbers between versions but I don't think either would catch a DUKW on a bad day....

[Paul_Barry]

Didn't Morris make the MG (Morris Garage).

When I was young my father had a Morris Major, and it was a heap (unreliable, poor designs, poor craftmanship, etc, etc), even though it the time it was new - this was back in the 1970's; whe the British automobile industry was at its ..... well lets say finest.

Regards

[Leo Verhagen]

I found some more rare Terrapin photos. All these photos were taken on the Island of Walcheren, november 1944 or a little later....