Info needed: Trailer socket Humber one ton

[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.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Great to have some of the original insignia, could be more under those ones. One of my Champs had 4 different unit markings, each over painted by a later one.
Price wise, the Bookham Humber (pic here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=26105) which appeared to have been sitting unused and undercover since it's army days went for $7250 last month. The pricing for Humber's is quite subjective, there were so few of them to start with, and maybe a dozen or on the road now, throw in the complexity, running costs and rust, it is rare to see one, let alone one worth more than scrap value.
So, you did good. Although only last year I was earnestly lectured about them being worth $60 000, and,funnily enough, for all the reasons above...
I only know of two places over here for parts, you obviously know about Tim V, then there are Altmann's at Stawell (Vic), but other than the common parts shared with the rest of the "B" range they will take some hunting.
I note that your chassis number is very low (for the Aust. contract), it may have the earlier brake adjusters, and be missing the access hole in the transmission tunnel for the clutch linkage adjustment.
Have you got the snorkel for it? And any spares (a certain Humber owner is getting desperate....)
Rich.

[Robert Sexton]

G'day Rich, I have virtually nothing at in all in the way of parts.I have a spare distributor from a friend who has a Ferret that's it. I know of one other in WA or at least I have seen one on the road, I believe the parts for the Humber/Champ and Ferret were purchased by a truck wrecker business but I can't find anyone to confirm this.(they don't have them now)If the chassis numbers are consecutive then mine must have been in the first delivery batch, I was unaware of the brake adjuster differences in fact my knowledge of the Humber could be described as nil.Definitely no snorkel.It has the original tyres I would guess by the tread pattern and fortunately the previous owner had not made any modifications/additions.Mine is missing the taillights, I assume they had stop/tail on both sides but not turn indicators.
I understand from some trawling on the net that the tracta joints were vulnerable ,I haven't been there yet so still to find out.
Thanks for your interest and help. Robert

[Robert Sexton]

Originally Posted by 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.

You were right about the signs Dave. "C" squadron of the 10 Light Horse did have Humbers (as well as Ferrets). There is one restored Humber from the 10LH in Perth and I shall endevour to make contact with him, there is a feature article in the last edition(issue 37) of the "Vintage Trucks" magazine about the Humber and some of its history with the 10LH.
regards, Robert

[Dave Mills]

Robert, You may stumble onto the Holy Grail of restoration; an in service photo of your vehicle displaying the ARN. Should be a lot easier to track knowing the unit, squadron and call sign.