[Tony Wheeler]

You're dead right Lauren, it's dangerous to make assumptions about this vehicle! It was poor wording on my part, I've amended it accordingly. In my mind there are actually two possibilities for this vehicle, which could potentially relate to the auxiliary springs. Here's my thinking FWIW:

If we work on the basis that it was supplied to India as per contract, ie. standard FAT chassis less winch, that would mean the auxiliary springs are retrofit. I think that's the logical starting point for this vehicle, as a working hypothesis, until we can establish its provenance more definitely. It's well documented in civvy hands but that doesn't explain the non-standard features, notably the simplified transfer case shift pattern. That is, did it emerge from the factory that way in 1945, or was it a British Army mod performed subsequently?

Personally I find the latter far more likely, particularly in light of the stirrup step evidence, which appears to confirm Indian build. In other words, the chassis was built up by Ford India, with full cab and wooden GS body (just like the winch equipped example photographed during the Indo-Pakistan war), and subsequently brought back to the UK with its returning RA unit. Presumably quite a few CMPs arrived in the UK by that route, either immediately after WWII, or after Indian Independence in 1947, or conceivably some time later, if the unit served elsewhere post war, eg. Burma, Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong. We're even finding what appear to be Indian assembled FATs in Australia lately, apparently GS configured originally, one of them with an original battery box located exactly like yours Lauren. Funnily enough this vehicle used to be Keith's daily drive!

Anyway to my mind that's the most likely scenario for your vehicle Lauren, given the evidence to date. I can find no other way to explain those stirrup steps. Logically therefore, the simplified transfer case shift must have been a British Army mod, perhaps for trialling in post war years, with a view to introduction on future vehicle types, eg. Landrovers. The alternative theory is that it was a 1945 Ford factory development, but that only makes sense on a pilot vehicle, not on a single chassis delivered to India.

By the same logic we could reasonably assume the auxiliary springs were also British Army installed, according their own particular needs at the time, rather than by Ford in 1945 on a single chassis delivered to India. However, of interest in this context is Brian Nunn's report: "The chassis is made up as the standard type for the F15 range but with a secondary chassis fitted to the inside of the standard one." That's an extraordinary mod, which if confirmed would appear to tie in with the auxiliary springs, indicating very heavy duty use, eg. water tanker perhaps. That seems to raise another possibility, in light of your contract card evidence Lauren: "The back of SM6337 notes that a small number of vehicles were used as either Truck 15cwt, 4x4 Water 200 gal, or Lorry 30cwt, 4x4, Water." (I believe you've got the cards mixed up Lauren, and it's actually SM6389). In other words, it's not inconceivable the vehicle started life as a Lorry 30cwt, 4x4, Water. That might explain the reinforced chassis (yet to be confirmed) and auxiliary springs, if indeed that's how these 30cwt SWB chassis were built, which seems not unlikely. Certainly you'd expect some such modification to warrant uprating from 15cwt to 30cwt.

Brian also reported: "I purchased the vehicle back in 1979/80 from a garage in Hampshire, where it had stood unwanted and unloved for about 15 years. The garage owner told me that he had bought two Ford V8 trucks at an auction, one was fitted with a GS steel body, and the other was a Water Bowser. Both bodies were removed by him, and the trucks were fitted out with a Harvey Frost crane and winch fitted to the back for use as a tow truck. One vehicle was disposed of during the late 60's whilst the other one continued to work till it was replaced with a Humber 1 ton GS truck in the mid 70's. The garage owner could not remember which vehicle was fitted with which body, but thought that it was fitted with the GS type body."

In other words Lauren, if the garage owner's recollection was astray, it's quite possible you own a former Lorry 30cwt, 4x4, Water! Of course, we'd then have to explain RA markings on a water tanker!

Whatever the case I agree we need to stick to the physical evidence, as found on the vehicle itself. If you can post a few pics of the chassis it may shed some light on these questions. I reckon it would be worth starting a new thread on this vehicle, to keep all the evidence and discussion in one place. If ever a CMP deserved a dedicated thread it's this one!