Why cab 11, 12, 13?

[Jeff Gordon]

There is probably a simple explanation for this that everyone knows except me but why did they start with cab11.
Did they have 10 other cab designs before they settled on the cab 11?
Jeff

[rob love]

My understanding was that the first number (one) stood for military pattern, and the second number was the model.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Basically, the type of cab was determined and set down as to closed or open, for whatever vehicle. So the first closed cab was the Type or Number 11, and the open version 41. However I have never seen a 41 Cab! The next type, with alligator hood was therefore the Type/Number 12 Cab, and its open equivalent the 42, as used on the Chevrolet 2-pounder Portees. By the end of 1940 the last general type of cab had been decided upon, which became the Type/Number 13 and the open version was the 43, as used say on the Chevrolet 6-pounder Portees. A variation of the 43 cab was the 43S for the F30B Bofors.

[Bob Carriere]

Bonjour David

Any idea of total production of cab 11, 12 and 13....... to the nearest 1000......??? and can it be broken down between Chev and Ford...

Thanks

Bob

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Bonjour!

I am not certain that I have ever seen the figures but as I have a list of deliveries in total from the DND papers I shall look. I really wonder if this information has ever existed. Does anyone else know?

[Bob Carriere]

Sorry for the tough ones David.

We often hear things like....cab 11 came first and was found impractical and the new cab 12 came out....also with some deficiencies and finally the perfect (sic?) cab 13 came about.....

How many sorry little cab 11 did they make and how many in between cab 12 were released before the final mega run of cab 13.....????

Just trying to satisfy my curiosity.....

Bob

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

...you should ask that just as I was looking through the DND papers next to me. There is a list of all Canadian orders delivered to the UK up to VE Day. including a suggestion of a low silhouette Ford 6 x 6 (two off experimental)! But no breakdown of cabs.

I am hopeful of finding the DND papers that Clive copied relating to such info as cab types but have not found it yet.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Thanks to Clive! DND papers found!

SPECIFICATION NO. O.A. 85 dated 26-11-41

CAB CODE - CAB TYPE
11 MILITARY PATTERN CAB-ORIGINAL DESIGN
12 MILITARY PATTERN CAB-ALLIGATOR HOOD
13 MILITARY PATTERN CAB-REVERSE SLOPE WINDSHIELD
21 CONVENTIONAL OR MODIFIED CONVENTIONAL CAB
31 CAB-OVER-ENGINE TYPE CAB
41 HALF OR OPEN TYPE CAB

Note:
The second digit of the Code Number which indicates the "history" or "mark" of the cab will be indicated above on the Military Type Cabs. The "history" on Conventional type cabs will refer to the cab as mounted on a specific model vehicle made by a specific manufacturer.

So the # 42 and # 43 cabs were the second and third mark of the half or open cabs respectively.