Bedford QL mystery

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

May I ask what the opinion is about this QL Troop Carrier from the batch L 559110 - 562075 Contract V.4914, Lorry 3 ton Troop Carrying and W/T and V.4924 3 ton Troop Carrying. Note the photo is dated November '44 and stamped January '45. It has "F251" on the cab on the left side and "LOT 521" as well as "F 251" on the driver's side and "F 260" on the body! It's Census Number L 560479. I have never seen an "F" serial before. I am for once stumped.

So, is it a rebuild or rebody job? Note the "BEDFORD TROOP X CARRIER" writing on the right side. Does that suggest a late war rebuild? The lorry has black-painted wheels, and Mickey Mouse Ears camo or similar.

Latest suggestion is that these were chassis-cabs sent to this company for bodying as Troop Carriers or W/T lorries and then they were shipped out to N Africa and Europe from Liverpool with the bodies. Can that explain the "F" numbers and "Lot" as shipping references?