[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

Hi Jack,
Great to see a photo of your friends red truck - I have been really astonished to see so many Humbers on this site. I know I have said this before - but here in the UK they are almost extinct - Clive & his friend seem to own most of them. I knew that a few had survived over in Australia but I am still surprised to see so many - more than in the UK - and good ones too.

How heavy are they? Well I reckon that they are pretty bloody heavy. I thought about 3,500kg empty, 5,200kg laden. But don't quote me.

Yes, a heavy truck, but more to these trucks than weight. If the 'competition' for the best load carrier involved driving through 6'6" of water at any stage then the Humber would win. And itf it did get stuck on some soft ground, a fair chance it would pull itself out. Sure, in most circumstances something simpler, cheaper and lighter would do (that's what the UK Govt. decided in 1956....) but when you really DO need to drive a ton of stuff along a river bed you will be glad you had a Humber. I also find it a lot more interesting from an engineering point of view - maybe cheap 'disposable' vehicles are more cost-effective but I have never seen another machine as 'infinitely servicable' in it's design & construction concepts, materials & quality. I also love the unconventional elements. OK - the back axle is weak but it is more interesting than a standard axle case on cart springs. 4 joints per axle in 1952 - that's really something.

I find the politics & story is interesting too - the concept, the scrapping, the limited use by specialist groups in service - and then the conversion of lots to Pigs in later years. I have always felt that this was conceived & specified by people who witnessed problems at D-Day of trucks driving out of landing craft in deep water only to be swamped - causing chaos and leaving everyone a sitting target fror the German guns. I have no evidence for this - but have heard the tales of D-Day and cant see any other explanation for the deep-fording obsession. This is a truck that will NOT get swamped!

Regards,
Tom
Portsmouth
UK