"The Beast" in South Australia

Keith Webb · #1 12-08-06, 01:53

This is a rebuild of an Australian designed No8 field artillery tractor, and was the first CMP type to be modified to tow the 25 pounder as well as other artillery.

It was found as a wreck with most of the rear upper body missing and this has been fabricated from photographic reference, although the interior lockers are missing.

Of the 98 built, there are only a couple of other Fords substantially intact, with one under restoration. GM-H also built a similar number of this design, with at least one still intact and roadworthy in Queensland, and another under restoration in Tasmania.

Looks a bit like a 3-ton version of a HUP on steroids, doesn't it.

More pics

oztankboy · #2 12-08-06, 03:11

Hi there!
Well here is another FAT No.8 ARN 55964 sitting in SA waiting for a move to Brisbane to be matted with a rear body. It had had a Fowler crain fitted to it and the rear part of the roof had been grafted to the back of the cab with the rear AA hatch being usaed as a window.

Phil...

oztankboy · #3 12-08-06, 03:13

...and here is a sad way for CGT 13 cab Quad to live out its days!
Phil...

Keith Webb · #4 12-08-06, 06:30

Great to see the pics, Phil

The CGT is of course a cab 12, but you knew that...

As for the No8, good to see one coming out of South Aussie (P.S.) Did you ask Customs Officer Bob for an export permit?

oztankboy · #5 12-08-06, 06:49

OHHH bugger!... yer knew it was a thype 12.... just fat fingers

Oh we'll sneak it out under the cover of darkness! and besides its a bit of pay back for all the gear they have plundered from the eastern states!

Phil...

Keith Webb · #6 12-08-06, 09:31

Quote:

Originally posted by oztankboy
Oh we'll sneak it out under the cover of darkness! and besides its a bit of pay back for all the gear they have plundered from the eastern states!

Phil...

....AND they like to brag about their raids on us!!!

Of course I can't talk... I'm guilty of moving a gun tractor across a state border too... twice! Once in 1976 for a friend (5 day drive home) and more recently, my FGT No.9

Euan drove his home from North of the border too.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #7 12-08-06, 15:07

What's the guts of this. All roads north are closed with security forces out on patrol. There is a Phil alert and the "Wanted" posters have been distributed.

Re. the SA No.8, its restoration has always been a bone of contention with me. You have seen it Keefy, but what can you do with politics and the E word.

Bob

phoenix · #8 14-08-06, 03:35

Great pics. I'm curious about the tasmanian one though, do you know who is doing it and where?

Keith Webb · #9 14-08-06, 03:55

David Lidster is doing the CGT 8.

Here's a pic he send me of the recovery some years ago.

He's rebuilt the chassis - not sure what stage he's at with the body.

oztankboy · #10 14-08-06, 12:14

Hi there!

Well here is my Ford FAT N0.8 body... well more like a No.4 as only half of it is here... awaiting the arrivel of the rest of the truck from SA. It is pictured sitting on my ex Artty C15A roadster roof Blitz.

Phil...

Keith Webb · #11 14-08-06, 13:41

If we could only decypher the ARN on the door...

Despite it's "No4" status it's a really good start for a rebuild - most of it is there, although it looks like you'll need to fab a pair of crew doors - but they're made from front doors anyway, as is the rear door, although it's wider.

Now... to apply the emery paper...

oztankboy · #12 14-08-06, 14:57

Hi there!

Well I do have some doors salvaged from Kingaroy... And I have sent you some pic's in a email today Keith. From what I could make out the ARN is 132384 and the formation sign on the rear end was the Blue Maltese Cross with the kings crown on a white background making it a Northern Command vehicle Pre QEII days.

There is a little bit of rust in it... oh the usual place in the dodgy ford roof hatch... damn those things knew how to rust out! But have a good 1 to go in. I need to mention that there are a few bonus bullet holes... will add to it's war creds! Also have a pair of the 20 gal fuel tanks to boot.

It has all it's lockers etc inplace and also a spare wheel mount inside. BTW did the side ammo lockers have some kind of racking in them to take the ammo boxes?

Phil...

Keith Webb · #13 14-08-06, 22:59

Quote:

Originally posted by oztankboy
Hi there!

Well I do have some doors salvaged from Kingaroy... And I have sent you some pic's in a email today Keith. From what I could make out the ARN is 132384 and the formation sign on the rear end was the Blue Maltese Cross with the kings crown on a white background making it a Northern Command vehicle Pre QEII days.

There is a little bit of rust in it... oh the usual place in the dodgy ford roof hatch... damn those things knew how to rust out! But have a good 1 to go in. I need to mention that there are a few bonus bullet holes... will add to it's war creds! Also have a pair of the 20 gal fuel tanks to boot.

It has all it's lockers etc inplace and also a spare wheel mount inside. BTW did the side ammo lockers have some kind of racking in them to take the ammo boxes?

Phil...

Interesting - I'll see what we can find out about the ARN for you. You're right about rusty roof hatches!
As far as I know a spare wasn't part of the orginal equipment with No8 tractors although it was with No9 which used normal tyres, and also carried a ramp on the side to load it. I've seen pictures of No8 Chevs with the spare on the roof. I suspect the internal spare bracket was an mod when the decided not to use runflats any more.
The narrow passage in the back of the vehicle would be completely taken up by the spare!
As for the side lockers I don't think they had racking and were more likely used to carry steel boxes. I have not seen a stowage diagram for these tractors.

Thanks in advance for the pics!

Keith

Keith Webb · #14 15-08-06, 01:23

From the oracle:

"132384 was chassis/engine no. 3G47579F, part of a scattered bunch with similar ARNs but not a continuous run of numbers."

As for the lockers - they were for ready use ammunition in steel boxes - where in action the gun was dropped, steel boxes of ammo unloaded and the tractor then driven away. Other ammo was of course in limbers which were not always towed by the tractor with the gun. Sometimes a tractor would tow two limbers and no gun.

And another note from the oracle: "Not Northern Command but 1st Military District during the period 1946 to 1953 "

oztankboy · #15 15-08-06, 02:32

Hi Keith!

Well as I said in the email I'm not 100% sure about the 2nd "3" in the ARN 132"3"84 (see photo) I guess there is a chance it could be a "5" but does those detail you posted chassie/enginge number jell with being a FAT?

As with the Formation sign I was useing Steven Taubert's book as my reference point and it does not state when we went from Northern Cmd to 1MD.

As with the spare mount it looks a bit like the mount in my No.9 CGT. I will get some more detail shots in the next few days. But wether this was just a unit mod, war time or post war mod is any bodies guess? But it would make geting into 1 or 2 of the lockers a bit of a bugger!

Phil...

Keith Webb · #16 15-08-06, 04:30

Phil, try the area to the right of the door - it may have also been painted there at some stage.

oztankboy · #17 15-08-06, 05:57

Hi again!

Ok well I had a look at some of the photos i have taken and there does look like there is some sign of white paint there. So will have to attack it with some wet & dry!

Here is an interia pic showing the spare mount. It has 3 layers of different colour grean on it so was fitted for a bit of its life in arms.

Phil...