Unusual F60H pic

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

the census number without prefix and with two font size is interesting.

That's the later Indian numbering format, not sure how it works though. However I believe their unit signs followed the British system, in which case the 48 should be idenitifiable.

Are we sure this is F60H or could it be reconfigured F60L? Based on what I've seen there's no telling what those Indians got up to with their CMPs! If that rear axle is a ring in it would explain the sling hub position. Also it's late '45 production (front mounted spring bumper) and I thought they'd shelved the F60H by then.

Body is typical Indian pattern but looks to be purpose built/modified for maximum length, eg. minimal clearance to cab; spare wheel location (which means RH fuel tank removal). Those uprights may have no special significance, ie. just remnant body members. However they're not typical of these Indian bodies so perhaps they're for high stacked loads of bridging like you say Alex.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

That's the later Indian numbering format, not sure how it works though. However I believe their unit signs followed the British system, in which case the 48 should be idenitifiable.

Hi Tony,
From memory, 48 was a Field Company of the Royal Engineers and it would be painted on a blue square.

regards, Richard

[Tony Wheeler]

Here's a few pics showing the 6-digit Indian numbering system. Presumably they were issued in blocks of of 9,000 (4 large digits, starting at 1000 to avoid initial zero, possibly with sub-allocations in blocks of 1000) and the blocks were numbered consecutively (2 small digits, starting at 10). By the end of the war they were up to the low 20's. The last pic was taken in 1965 and they were up to block 46. Placement was generally RH front bumper and RH rear body, plus both doors like the British.

7971608150_1e78f1a215_b - Copy.jpg

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[Tony Wheeler]

Here's the earlier 5 digit system, which also appears to have been issued in blocks. Like Australia it may have been preceded by a 4 digit pre-war system. I find it quite revealing that 4 digits was initially considered sufficient for Australia, but of course as the last pics show we were still emerging from the horse drawn era.

MEC1704 Karachi, India. c. 1944. - Copy.JPG

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Snapshot 1 (4-05-2014 4-57 PM).jpg

Snapshot 2 (4-05-2014 4-59 PM).jpg