Chassis winch in 15-cwt chassis

[Ken Smith]

The helper spring brackets are upside down and are bolted in so not original.

Ken

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Grant, Ken, well spotted, thanks.

So it looks to be a 15-cwt chassis with winch and other bits added.

H.

[Pete Ashby]

I've come across this once before.

I have a vague memory that stop gap 12 cab 2pdr Anti tank portees were fitted with winches most were then reconfigured late in the war back to GS bodied versions but kept the winches

Pete

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Pete Ashby

I've come across this once before.

I have a vague memory that stop gap 12 cab 2pdr Anti tank portees were fitted with winches most were then reconfigured late in the war back to GS bodied versions but kept the winches

Hello Pete,

Could you eloborate on this vague memory? As far as I know, the 2-pdr AT Portees did not have a chassis winch but a small hand driven winch - see below.

Post-war, many 15-cwt trucks were fitted with a chassis winch, of which I think this is an example.

Always willing & able to be educated!

Thanks,
Hanno

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

The body remaining on the ground in front of the truck appears to be (without the crane) the remains of the original portee bodywork (eg the small hand driven winch, the hinges on top of the guards), indicating this vehicle wasn't converted to GS spec.

[Pete Ashby]

I'll try and find the reference Hanno, it may have been in a Wheels and Tracks sometime after the article about portees.

Like you we couldn't decide if the remains of the truck was a factory fit or a post war mod it was not a bodge job but properly fitted unfortunately I don't have any photos of it.

Pete

[Rob Baens]

hi guys,

But if you closely to the backend of the chassis the crossmember does look like the ones used on FGT's. So would it be possible that this is? a FGT chassis were they fitted a normal 13 pattern cab and cargo box on? probably a post war job. just suggestion...

greetings Rob

[Alex van de Wetering]

I can't see the fuel tanks in the picture....even though tanks can be swapped, a FAT would originally have had the larger fuel tanks, while the F15A used the smaller ones.

But if you closely to the backend of the chassis the crossmember does look like the ones used on FGT's

Yes, it does seem to have the extra strengthening for the winch gear at the rear of the chassis.....but than again....this could also be retrofitted along with the winch(?). A FAT would also have the fairleads on the front bumper and also the little hooks for the scotches fitted to the side of the chassis near the leaf spring attachment.

Fitting a winch and helper springs to an F15A chassis would have made it an ideal towing vehicle for a garage.....which to me, is the most likely explanation.

Alex