Ford 3-Ton 4x4 F60B, 40mm AA, Self Propelled

[Sean Dunnage]

I was hoping someone may be able to help me out. I am looking for information on this truck. Again I am planning another model, this one mounting the 40mm Bofors but I am finding info. scarce.
I have George Bradford's drawing and Canada's Fighting Vehicles book 1. Detail pictures and drawings would help out tremendously especially of the gun mount and extended cab layout.
Thanks to all in advance.
Sean

sdunnage@sprint.ca

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have two photos of Bofors just been assembled in England. There is also a lovely shot of a British truck with tarp covering which I have not seen otherwise in the Imperial War Museum, London, photo library.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

In the front of the original and rebuilt F60B lorries were two circular discs...werer they counterweights because of the gun or (unlikely) wheels for the gun?

[David Hardway]

Pads for levelling jacks maybe (theres a scissor jack type arrangement in the middle of the front)

Dave

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by David Hardway

Pads for levelling jacks maybe (theres a scissor jack type arrangement in the middle of the front)

Dave

Yes..They were outrigger,or jack pads to keep the gun stable and sinking into the mud when in operation..

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I am told that David Brown Engineering (as in Aston Martin, tractors..gears..) made the jacks!

Ta!!!!

[Tony Smith]

The Morris Commercial C9/B also used these jacks (with a similar but shorter, lower body to the F60B), and this pic shows the "Witches Hat" spacers used between the jacks and base plates.

On the F60B, these Witches Hats were taller to suit the higher deck height, but required holes in the sides to reduce the weight. They are visible in the F60B pic stowed inverted directly behind the cab.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I know that I have asked this before but the Pearsons book is now about to be printed ready for Xmas. The photos that I have show F60B Bofors new in Liverpool in 1942-3 with H xxxxxx numbers, towing Ben Hur (Willys) trailers. However we also have later photos from late '44 showing repaired/rebuilds as S xxxxx, for self-propelled (no trailers used). Do you think that the H for tractor prefixes were erroneous or that 'they' thought that they were to be tractors but someone realised that they were not by really any stretch of the imagination? I am pretty certain my Xerox of an IWM Kidbrooke series Bofors has an S prefix number, and no trailer.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some info on the shipping method of the F60B:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Shipping method part 2:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Last one + source:

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Shipping method part 2:

Attachment 122655 Attachment 122641

Utterly astounding that the vehicles were shipped from the Factory, or even Canada to Britain, with 40mm Ammunition boxes on the rear tray of the vehicle!

Edit: See pics of C216 and C219 boxes HERE.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some pictures of the F60B in use with the postwar Dutch Army, taken in 1951 and 1952.


Source: Netherlands Institute for Military History (https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...f-cd331fcafb9c | https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...b-573cd3ef00be)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Two more pics via Les Freathy:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Ford F60B AA trucks parading in Leiden, the Netherlands on 8 June 1945.


Photo source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/en/imagebank...a-d2d04b8421a5