[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have no idea if this is totally relevant but from my notes, in mid-1936, Ford of Australia assisted in the mechanisation of the Australian Field Artillery by designing and producing gun tractors and similar vehicles. The Geelong Plant converted a British Ford [Fordson surely] forward-control truck for the Australian Army. The unit was designed as a Field Gun Tractor and carried a 7-man crew plus ammunition. The chassis was shortened to 105 inches and the fuel tank was mounted centrally. A two-wheeled gun transporter that mounted the QF 18-pounder field gun was designed so that it could be towed at speeds of up to 35 m.p.h. Note that the truck design called for 4-wheel, 2-wheel drive and there was no attempt at that stage on a bogie conversion.

In early 1939, Sydney, NSW, Ford distributors, Hastings-Deering Limited, loaned the Australian Army 28 Ford V-8 Utility vehicles based on imported components, CKD, from Windsor, Ontario. Reports suggested that they performed well and were proven ideally suitable for Army use. As a result, the Australian Army issued a specification for a new type of truck based on the Forward-Control British Ford chassis [possibly the Ford Thames Model 7V with 30 h.p.V-8]. Ford Australia prepared the se vehicles as artillery transporters, range finders and associated equipment haulers.

I can't recall when the 7V was introduced ..1937??