Ford FGT cab.13 in Czech Republic

[Dusonn]

Hi all,

this week I became a proud owner of this Ford FAT project. As common its missing its rear body, which will need to be built from scretch. The possitive thing is that the original floor is still there. The engine and some other major and minor parts are missing, otherwise its a fairly good start. Luckily its been dry stored for a few decades so no major rust has affected the cab and doors. It seems to be original, only the dash seems to be not right. There is no plate attached to the drivers door so will not be easy to find more details on its production date. Unless I find a sensus number on the doors when the paint is uncovered carefully and then look into CZ army history archives. The fact is that it served with the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade Group during WWII. The Czechoslovak Artillery Unit badge is still visible above the right headlamp. Then after the war it was given to a Fire Unit which saved it from faith of most of the Western vehicles which did not fit into Warsaw pact profile.
I know of another FGT in CZ which still possess one of the rear doors so I try to get in touch with the owner to get some pattern figures. There is also a CGT from Norway in Lesany Army museum, which my friend swapped for a Morris Quad a year ago. Unfortunately this CGT has its rear compartment collapsed but at least some meassurements could be taken.
I would like to get in touch with other FAT cab.13 owners so I can get more info to rebuild this beast.

Dusan

[Dusonn]

Here are some more pictures

[Ganmain Tony]

Nice find Dusan,

Looks like a beauty

Lots of work ahead of you....but that's where all the fun is anyway

[Keith Webb]

What a wonderful find Dusan, there are many who have restored the gun tractors so you should be able to get a lot of advice.

The dashboard is most unusual though:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Great project, Dusan!

I like the fact it was used by the the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade Group, so it really ties in with your country's military history.

While I certainly would not underestimate the amount of work, the basis for the rear body is there, and the superstructure is mostly angle iron and sheet metal. So it is doable to rebuild one if you have (access to) metalworking skills. Surely one of the members on here can help you with dimensions.

Regards,
Hanno

[Dusonn]

Thanks guys for the friendly comments. The dashboard also puzzles me, I have not seen one like this before, has anybody? I reckon it was made post-war as it was not primed underneath, but looks very precisely made.
I have another question, are the FGT and CGT rear body exactly the same?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Dusonn

I have another question, are the FGT and CGT rear body exactly the same?

Dusan,

Although Ford and General Motors manufactured the cab and chassis for these trucks, the production of CMP truck bodies was subcontracted out to smaller companies in Ontario and Manitoba, organized into the wartime Steel Body Manufacturers Association by the Department of Munitions and Supply.

Even though built to a common design, if you look at the pictures on this forum you will find each manufacturer had its own detail differences. But it would be fine to copy a body either found on a CGT or FGT.

Not sure if this is a really good example of manufacturing differences (could be different restoration techniques?), but here a roof section as an example:


From http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2670


From http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14429

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Dusonn

There is also a CGT from Norway in Lesany Army museum, which my friend swapped for a Morris Quad a year ago. Unfortunately this CGT has its rear compartment collapsed but at least some meassurements could be taken.

That must be the ex-Rolf Ask, ex-Erik Jostad CGT then:

[Dusonn]

Thanks Hanno for the info, the pictures are helpfull, gives me some idea how the body frame looks like. The second picture has the original feeling but as you say may be different manufacurers.

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

That must be the ex-Rolf Ask, ex-Erik Jostad CGT then:

You are right Hanno, its ex-Erik Jostad CGT a friend of mine bought the lot that was offered on Milweb few years ago.
http://www.rotanazdar.cz/index.php?o...mid=66&lang=cs

Maurice, I will send you a PM regarding the dash. Cheers.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Excellent find Dusan....and even better that it's an actual CZ vehicle. I see the fuel tanks are missing (?). The FAT uses the larger size ones, so it could be difficult finding these.

Great pictures on your groups website....and some great vehicles. I checked the website some time ago, but I see several "new" vehicles now, including some nice CMP's and a .....Windsor carrier! Also good to see the progress on the C15TA!

Alex

[Dusonn]

Yes Alex the fuel tanks are missing. But my intention is to get new made as there is always problem with old ones to litter the carb and filters with bits of rust.
Thanks for the kind comments on our website, I am the one who manages it but I cannot keep up with the English translations due to lack of time. There are the F15 and C15 new, both owned by the same owner now. F15 bought in the UK from Alec Small and the C15 from Netherlands.
The Windsor carrier is not ours, its part of the Lesany Museum collection, but I helped in making the deal for them.
One of our members also acquired the rare late production C8 HUP Staff Car recently, which I will be adding to the web soon. But it is disassembled. By the way the owner I bought the FGT from also has two of these C8s one running, one complete non-runner and also a chassis on wheels. I know of few others, these were all supplied by UNNRA here.

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Excellent find Dusan....and even better that it's an actual CZ vehicle. I see the fuel tanks are missing (?). The FAT uses the larger size ones, so it could be difficult finding these.

Great pictures on your groups website....and some great vehicles. I checked the website some time ago, but I see several "new" vehicles now, including some nice CMP's and a .....Windsor carrier! Also good to see the progress on the C15TA!

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

Dusan,

Yes Alex the fuel tanks are missing. But my intention is to get new made as there is always problem with old ones to litter the carb and filters with bits of rust.

I agree, making new tanks would give you a fresh start (even though I still want to try and save the tanks I have) . By the way, I wonder if anyone ever tried a system as used in racing (and also aviation) where a "bladder" or bag is actually holding the fuel in the tank. This closed system would prevent any rust getting in the lines and the original tank would only act as a casing....so a few pinholes in the steel wouldn't matter (?)

It sounds like the collection of special MV's in CZ is constantly growing, very nice. I have been to Kraliky and Rokycany, but sadly didn't visit Lesany. Maybe somewhere in the future!

Alex

[david moore]

Hi Dusson

As you will see from an adjacent thread (FAT-1 remains) Rob Fast and I would like to know if the transition piece of structure at the back of the cab (that would join up to the rear body) is made of steel or rubber. I have found a similar truck but in very poor shape here in Ontario - but it is some distance from my home so easier to ask you about the part.

[Dusonn]

Originally Posted by david moore

Hi Dusson

As you will see from an adjacent thread (FAT-1 remains) Rob Fast and I would like to know if the transition piece of structure at the back of the cab (that would join up to the rear body) is made of steel or rubber. I have found a similar truck but in very poor shape here in Ontario - but it is some distance from my home so easier to ask you about the part.

David if you refer to the rear collar circled on the picture, than its made of steel and welded to the cab. I can take a close up picture tomorrow if you wish.

[Dusonn]

A friend of mine has done some research in the archives and so far it seems that only two FGTs came to Prague with returning Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade. One served with the Artillery Battalion and one with The AT Unit. If this is true, then both of them survived which is pretty amazing. The rest of our Quads were Morris. There were also Ford LAAs towing Bofors guns. No CGTs.
I have attached few pictures of H55582014 from 30th May 1945 near Prague. That could be my vehicle Notice the jerry can holder behind the spare wheel. I have seen this on the CZ Morris Quads as well. I reckon this was added before the Brigade departure from Dunkerque in May 1945 to bear enough fuel for such a long trip back to Prague.

[Dusonn]

For me this is a very inspiring slideshow on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC7u7nHqtaA
I have seen this FGT before but never the pictures from the restoration. Is the owner a forum member or could anybody give me a contact please?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Dusonn

For me this is a very inspiring slideshow on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC7u7nHqtaA
I have seen this FGT before but never the pictures from the restoration. Is the owner a forum member or could anybody give me a contact please?

See this thread for more info. The owner is Stijn van Haverbeke in Belgium. He's not on this forum but maybe you can contact him through his YouTube account.

H.