Former British FGT cab 12 in Australia

Keith Webb · #1 02-01-07, 06:52

This one is in Gympie, Qld (take note, Cliff) belonging to Lloyd McCarthy who is going to restore it.

The vehicle is in pieces as the farmer who bought it cut it up to use the chassis to make a trailer and has put the front section onto a F60L chassis. Big difference to other cases like this is he kept almost ALL the pieces, including the rear body in excellent condition. Missing items are rear seats, windscreen wipers, doors and a headlamp rim.

It's ARN is 50315 and on the back can also be seen it's British number H4542132.

Lloyd is keen to discover as much as he can of it's history. Engine number is 2G17788F. Lloyd even has the original engine.

I'll post some pictures in a couple of days.

Poppy's Carrier · #2 02-01-07, 10:04

gday keith

I was lucky enough to be priveleged to view photos of this gun tractor at the jeep club swap at cunungra lloyd has found a real gem

it just goes to show you that there are still time capsules about out there the vehicle appeared to be in great condition albeit dismantled .
Lloyd will certainly do a fine job restoring this rare CMP as he has done an exceptional job on restoring other vehicles in his collection.

Happy new year to all

Matt baker

cliff · #3 02-01-07, 11:46

Here am I living in Gympie and I have not had the pleasure of meeting Lloyd or even hearing of his collection.

Cheers
Cliff

Tony Smith · #4 02-01-07, 12:37

Quote:

Originally posted by cliff
Here am I living in Gympie and I have not had the pleasure of meeting Lloyd or even hearing of his collection.

That's strike two. You ought to get out more!

David_Hayward (RIP) · #5 02-01-07, 14:20

H 4541694 to 4542693 Demand S/M 2020 asembled in the UK at Dagenham (or similar) under Contract V/4513. There is a photo of one in the Imperial War Museum: IWM PHOTO KID 2340. These were supplied to Alexandria and then issued to the AIF. What a find!!!

Keith Webb · #6 03-01-07, 02:23

How many times in a lifetime do you have the opportunity to find something this good?

More pics here.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #7 03-01-07, 05:48

Amazing discovery and look at the bodywork. However Keefy, where is my special interest photograph. I can just make out some small detail on your site but a detailed shot is required.
Bob

Keith Webb · #8 03-01-07, 05:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Amazing discovery and look at the bodywork. However Keefy, where is my special interest photograph. I can just make out some small detail on your site but a detailed shot is required.
Bob

Sorry Bob but these pics were sent to me as prints by snail-mail. If I'd taken them there would be several hundred, rest assured.

I've already requested the pics you're after!

Incidentally I had a chat to Lloyd today - just caught him about to depart for the sandblasters with another load. He's already primed the chassis and re-done all the spring bushings and before long will have a rolling chassis. He's not mucking around, is he?

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #9 03-01-07, 06:06

Hi Keefy
We have to watch these guys, first Rocket Ron and now Lloyd.

Bob

cliff · #10 03-01-07, 06:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony Smith
That's strike two. You ought to get out more!

I told you before I'm bloody slow!

Nice pictures Keith. I tried to see from the background where it might be but no joy as most of Cooloola Shire which surrounds Gympie looks the same.

Cheers
Cliff

Hanno Spoelstra · #11 03-01-07, 11:30

Quote:

Originally posted by David_Hayward
H 4541694 to 4542693 Demand S/M 2020 asembled in the UK at Dagenham (or similar) under Contract V/4513. There is a photo of one in the Imperial War Museum: IWM PHOTO KID 2340. These were supplied to Alexandria and then issued to the AIF. What a find!!!

Amazing find! This could be it's twin, it stayed in the UK until recently (ref. For sale: Cab 12 FGT)

Rusty · #12 08-01-07, 10:20

I have often looked at these trucks in photos and thought that they get the prize for the most ugly Blitz. The Aussie station wagon style and Indian Canvas bodied gun tractors definetly have it over the Poms in style and usable space.
It always seems to me that Britain was short of metal rollers who could put a curve in truck bodies.

Howard · #13 08-01-07, 12:07

Rusty I reckon this style of gun tractor looks aggresive & tough. You may have a point about usable space, but I love the look of these!
Cheers
HH

grant fincher · #14 05-08-07, 10:53

I called in on Lloyd McArthy near Gympie last week to see his FAT restoration. I happened to have a Ford V8 badge that he needed and went up to see how his restoration was going. Lloyd works without a net (the internet) and is oblivious to the help that is out there. Neverless he has managed to contact people like Keith and the Australian War Memorial for much needed info. The truck came from Winton in far western Qld. Bought in 1947 from the army and used as a farm truck. For those who don't know the area it is very dry and as you can see by the rear of the vehicle it has rusted very little, and because the owners who cut it up are still there, all the components are still available. Lloyd only has to graft it back together. Here are a few shots of the chassis and the rear of the gun tractor. He hopes to have it finished for next Anzac Day. (25 April)
Lloyds property has the constant smell of Molasses as he cleans up the panels for the body. Thanks to his lovely wife Maureen for afternoon tea and my apologies to Cliff as we didn't have enough time to call in.
Grant Fincher

grant fincher · #15 05-08-07, 10:57

The rear of the FAT showing AIF and English numbers

This one

Lloyd (right) and Wayne Kotz

Next

I didn't get a picture of the front of the truck but it is complete and will need to be grafted to the rear. Lloyd is restoring various panels and has a complete body. Should be wonderful when finished as the workmanship is great. He has a Dodge command car and a jeep under his belt.

Keith Webb · #16 05-08-07, 12:23

Thanks for the update, Grant!

Nice to see the progress - looks like Lloyd is doing an excellent job too.

Here is a page of pictures Lloyd sent me when he started the job. The chassis he used had been converted to a trailer.

grant fincher · #17 05-08-07, 12:36

Looks like I have misspelt Lloyd's last name. My apologies.
Grant

Plushy · #18 05-08-07, 13:52

Excellent Work and a brilliant eye for detail ! i look forward to seeing more photos of this as it progresses .

cliff · #19 05-08-07, 21:48

Very nice to see. I would like to try and get out to LLoyds place one day as well.

NORTH-SHORE(CANADA) · #20 07-08-07, 01:10

HI

Wow that a good baby

now i know somme one for some mesure

aj.lec · #21 07-08-07, 09:37

hes doing a great job
excellent work

always love those models
australian tractors are more user friendly but there is something about the look of the canadian /british tractors
look forward to seeing more of this one

Alex van de Wetering · #22 07-08-07, 09:37

A really unique project and good to see that the chassis is back from trailer to backbone again.

Has the owner decided yet which registration will be brought back? Brit? or Aussie?

Alex

Keith Webb · #23 04-10-07, 01:05

Lloyd has just called me asking whether there is a Gotfredson body number stamped anywhere on the body - his was missing the body plate and he wants to make a repro with the correct number.

Anyone have any clues?

As for the colour scheme - I think he's doing it in the same as found, ie Australian scheme.

NORTH-SHORE(CANADA) · #24 04-10-07, 01:52

Hi

On my ford is stamps on the passenger side front weel on the frame

I wonder if he could give me the dimention of the door on the top

thx

Eric

Keith Webb · #25 04-10-07, 06:15

Hi Eric

Unfortunately Lloyd is not online and so is a bit hard to contact - will try to remember to ask him next time.

NORTH-SHORE(CANADA) · #26 05-10-07, 22:10

Hi

Could you ask him the dimension of the side windows please

thx

Eric

grant fincher · #27 16-12-07, 06:47

Managed to catch up with Lloyd over the weekend to see how the restoration is progressing. He has stripped the body of any components and welded the front cab section together. He has to now marry the last two sections together. Here are a few photos.

The front cab section

Now it is a rolling chassis.

Lloyd is meticulous with his work. The end result will be unbelievable. The speedo is not shown here but it would make Salesman Bob jealous.

grant fincher · #28 16-12-07, 06:56

Here is Lloyd (right) and Phil Lloyd, who owns an Australian No.9 Gun Tractor.

Right front

Gearbox and pump. Lloyd fashioned an entire cylinder head from a solid block as the original had filled with water.

Left front

New tyres

grant fincher · #29 16-12-07, 07:11

A truck Lloyd picked up at Blackbutt for spares. This vehicle is now for sale if anyone is interested. It is very straight and would be a good project. I can forward Lloyd's phone number if anyone is interested. Unfortunately he is still not on the net so I made the offer to post this photo.

Howard · #30 16-12-07, 07:39

Grant,
Pass on my congratulations to Lloyd. His work is an inspiration!
HH