Info needed: Trailer socket Humber one ton

[David Herbert]

Originally Posted by Dave Mills

What I would give to have my very own forklift.
Dave

I don't know about Australia but in the UK old forklifts are suprisingly cheap. Get friendly with a dealer and you will find that they take in old ones that have little commercial value just to make a sale of a new one. If you are paying cash and don't need it certified it gives the guy an easy way to get rid of what is otherwise almost scrap but may well work reasionably well. I have an old 2 ton Fiat which would have been hard to certify as they all have dreadfull brakes. Came with a new battery and cost £500. Very usefull. If you ever have to transport a forklift check its weight as they weigh well over what they lift. Obviously we need the hydraulics to be good with no creep when loaded and solid tyres are good because they don't get punctures! Also don't get an electric one because the batteries die quickly if they are old and aren't used every day.

David

[Robert Sexton]

The trailer and Humber will stay the desert sand colour. No real reason other than I have three other green trucks and this one will look different.
The Humber cab looks to have surface rust without any real penetration,I have dissembled the mud guards,doors and roof hatches as I thought that they were the most vulnerable. I put the lack of rust down to the very low humidity and being under cover for such a long time.
I fabricated a new winch hatch and that is now in place.
I am a new boy to much of the above so I am on a steep learning curve.
The brass ID plate on the trailer says; TRAILER,1 TON,CARGO,WHLD SANKEY 2401/A. CHASSIS NO 56745 VEHICLE NO 678K45
The ID on the Humber says; TRUCK,1TON,4X4,CT,COMMER 1601A. CHASSIS NO 6310009 ENGINE B60,NO1,MK5 NO 11545
and the tray;BODY 1 TON,C.T. CARGO. ser. CB61009
I dont know what the numbers and letters refer too,I would be very thank full to be enlightened. Robert

[Robert Sexton]

This is the tray just before the winch hatche(s) were replaced. I could not source boards that were the same width as the originals so we have one extra plank. The centre black strip is a top hat section (like the ACCO tray).I could not source or manufacture the original wear strips and I hope that when the centre strip is painted it will not be tooo noticeable. I have put in two hatch covers, the winch drum is a hatch and the other side uncovers the ignition cut out wire and exposes the oil level plug.Not original I know but it will be functional and better than a hole in the floor.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

I'm afraid the Humber is a very steep learning curve for all of us.
Not sure what you do or don't know, however- from the chassis plate.
The 158 (form memory) Australian delivered Humbers are plated as Commer, another arm of the Rootes group at the time. Possibly for future marketing of a civilian version in Australia where Commer was thought to be more recognised. (Unlike the Champ there never was a civvy version)
CT= Combat. This was designed as a frontline vehicle, you will also see them referred to as a FV1601, FV = Fighting Vehicle and indeed you will see a large range of the parts are stamped with this.
CHASSIS NO 6310009, check your engine number, it should be 11345 (not 11545). the Aust Army number (ARN) was 105 677 until it was disposed of on 20/10/68.
Engine is the Rolls Royce B60, Mk5, (B40=4cyl B60=6cyl B80=8cyl.)

Cargo, not FFW.


Desert Cam. was used on British Humbers in the middle east, I don't know of any Aust. Army ones ever painted that way, so maybe the first in that livery over here.

I always thought that the crude door cut into the tub floor was someone's modification, was not until I rebuilt it all and found that the locking tabs were genuine that I realised it was original. After going to the trouble of using hardwood planks all in the original pattern I decided that the best idea would have been to use a full sheet of form ply/marine ply with the top hat wear strips screwed to it. Bolt the whole lot in with 4 bolts, job done and easily removable for working on the drive train. But that would be cheating I suppose.
Wear strip pattern does not seem to be quite the same as anything else we have over here, Dave will have something to say on the subject.

Rich.

[Dave Mills]

Hello Robert, have finally had some skid strips manufactured for our tub. Still working on the bolts and Winch Hatch opening. Looked everywhere for the strips to no avail then the challenge was taken up Alltmann Engineering (Stawell) a former was produced and the sheet shaped using a brake press we used 1.3 mil mild steel sheet.

Desert Sand Humber will look great, ask Rich about his Desert Sand (Pink) Champ.

Dave.

[Robert Sexton]

You were right about the engine number Rich, it is 11345 not 11545.Thanks for the other info. I have very sketchy details from the previous owner ,as far as I understood his father bought the Humber from Army disposals in Perth about the late 60's so that fits with the disposal date.It had a one (1) numeral inside a white roundel on both doors. His father started using it in heavy sand as a towing vehicle and found out straight away that he was going to end up in the poor house supplying the fuel,it was put in a shed and stayed there until I bought it about 15years ago for $1200.I thought I paid too much as I had no idea of its condition or what I was I going to do with it.
The wear strips that Dave has manufactured look the real deal,I am sure they are the same profile as the trailer and would do an authentic job there.
I have attached a pic of the trailer plug and socket,I am not convinced that it was connected up in the conventional way on the hand it would be irrational to have a lead with two male ends.The parts are NOS from Tim Vibert.
Robert

[Robert Sexton]

Some other markings that were on the Humber, I do not what units they might have been associated with.On the front left of the bonnet was what looks like might have been crossed swords perhaps red on a yellow background.I have attached a pic of the "one" roundel on both doors and the Kangaroo which was on the back left panel of the cargo body.
21st Construction was based in Perth ,it may have belonged to them.
Robert

[Dave Mills]

This may assist Robert, the number in the middle represents the Vehicle Call Sign and the circle "Charlie" squadron of an armoured or cavalry regiment. The Kangaroo indicates the brigade that the sub unit was attached with; the colour also indicates the unit. For example I carry a red upright triangle with indicates 1st Armoured Regiment "A" squadron.

Maybe white represents the 10th Light Horse Regiment of WA?

With the skid strips they now have the formers and are happy to produce more upon request of course $'s will be involved. PM me if you want the details.

Dave.