The history of the development of the 6 x 6 D.N.D.-pattern trucks can be traced back to the summer of 1940 at the earliest. The M.E.E. or Mechanical Engineering Establishment at Farnborough, Hampshire, tested a Ford F.60H 6 x 4 D.N.D.-pattern truck loaned or seconded to the Ministry of Supply: reputedly serial CMD 4903, a Pilot Model, Engine/chassis number 1C3685F. M.E.E. Report No. B.571 dated 31 December 1940 referred to a trial of the truck between 15 August and 28 November 1940, under Ministry of Supply file 257/Veh/956.
Now, this very truck may be:
Now, note the word 'pilot', and also that the Engine Number 1C3685F was built in late November 1939 as a modified C01T unit..source Ford of Canada 1940 Engine # listing by month...in which case this may be
prototype F60H chassis! If it is, then it was a chassis to start with, then it was tested and then disassembled, crated and shipped to the CMD in Southampton or Dagenham, re-assembled and fitted with a British gantry body [there is a build plate on the body in the original print] and then the same was loaned to the Brits in August 1940 for testing as a precursor they hoped for British orders. However after thousands of miles of testing it was found wanting, and so the Brits never ordered F60H chassis for themselves.
I apologise..I quoted the wrong address..thanks Hanno! Anyone recognise the long building that features in several KID 1940 photos?