[Larry Hayward]

Richard,

Thanks a lot - I would say that your ID is exact, as everything about the vehicle matches the GPO Albion. The only question remaining is what it was used for on the Airfield. It is parked on the airfield in front of the sheds on the left, that housed the crash tender, so perhaps it's all they had available; an ex GPO van equipped with a few fire extinguishers. Its use as a crash tender would also support my eyewitness account that the crash tender was 'prewar'. RAF Christchurch from 1940-42 was the home of the Special Duty Flight, that carried out airborne radar trials (AI & ASV) for the RAF / Air Ministry but being non-operational had to make do with a second rate airfield and many impressed vehicles. I know they also used a high sided furniture removals lorry as well.

NB Les, perhaps we should have a thread on impressed RAF vehicles too!