Unusual F60H pic
 

In a recent purchase of old photos this one stood out for me, a F60H.
Some of the photos were taken either late war or just after the war in India.
Note the British flag and naval badge.
Any ideas about the story or the configuration?

Interesting picture Keith...and a nice riddle.

I also spot lifting rings on the second axle which would be unusual for an F60H, unless it was fitted in the field.....and the census number without prefix and with two font size is interesting.

I get the idea it might be a pontoon or bridging equipment truck with a converted bed.

Alex

Seems a bit of a mix-match, Keith. Certainly a Ford, but what is with the Chev grab handle on the roof?
Plenty of room for rear suspension actuation too.

Regards Rick.

Grab handle
 

That's a Canadian Ford grab handle. The two handle version was Australian Ford production only.

Thanks Keith, your never to old to learn.

Regards Rick.

Indian Army (Navy?) truck; see WD upwards arrow as registration number prefix. Curious markings though!

Chris

That's the later Indian numbering format, not sure how it works though. However I believe their unit signs followed the British system, in which case the 48 should be idenitifiable.

Are we sure this is F60H or could it be reconfigured F60L? Based on what I've seen there's no telling what those Indians got up to with their CMPs! If that rear axle is a ring in it would explain the sling hub position. Also it's late '45 production (front mounted spring bumper) and I thought they'd shelved the F60H by then.

Body is typical Indian pattern but looks to be purpose built/modified for maximum length, eg. minimal clearance to cab; spare wheel location (which means RH fuel tank removal). Those uprights may have no special significance, ie. just remnant body members. However they're not typical of these Indian bodies so perhaps they're for high stacked loads of bridging like you say Alex.

Hi Tony,
From memory, 48 was a Field Company of the Royal Engineers and it would be painted on a blue square.

regards, Richard

Here's a few pics showing the 6-digit Indian numbering system. Presumably they were issued in blocks of of 9,000 (4 large digits, starting at 1000 to avoid initial zero, possibly with sub-allocations in blocks of 1000) and the blocks were numbered consecutively (2 small digits, starting at 10). By the end of the war they were up to the low 20's. The last pic was taken in 1965 and they were up to block 46. Placement was generally RH front bumper and RH rear body, plus both doors like the British.

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Here's the earlier 5 digit system, which also appears to have been issued in blocks. Like Australia it may have been preceded by a 4 digit pre-war system. I find it quite revealing that 4 digits was initially considered sufficient for Australia, but of course as the last pics show we were still emerging from the horse drawn era.

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