Its a Ford WOT 6 or 8 ??

[Dusonn]

Apart from the longer wheelbase, the most significant feature that differs WOT6 from WOT8 is the demountable top half of cab, with the two handles just under the windscreen and a cover stripe over the gap. WOT8 was produced between 1941 and 1942. The early cabs had the round cab ventilator covers whilst the very late models had the rectangular airflows just like the WOT6. The step rings on the front hubs were mounted on both WOT8 and WOT6. I have this on my early WOT8 which has the round airflows. I think the purpose was to get a step to make climbing up into the high cab easier. As these rings are not mounted on the rear hubs, their purpose would not be for lifting the vehicle up for ship loading.
In addition to the features mentioned by Richard, the WOT8 had a hydraulic spare wheel holder lift, whilst on WOT6 it was mechanical. Also the engine cover and dash set-up is different on WOT8, see below.

[David Dunlop]

In the second photo of Post 11, is that an Anti-Aircraft version of the Staghound with the open top twin .50 cal turret?

If so, I wonder if it still survives?

David

[Richard Farrant]

Here is a photo of a WOT6 with cab top removed. It was taken about 15 years ago when I was carrying out some restoration work on one.

regards, Richard

[Ilian Filipov]

Originally Posted by Dusonn

Apart from the longer wheelbase, the most significant feature that differs WOT6 from WOT8 is the demountable top half of cab, with the two handles just under the windscreen and a cover stripe over the gap.

Hi Dusan,
Till recently I've also thought so because it is so in theory. But the life can ruin any good theory.
I'm sure you're familiar with one of these WOT8 pictures at least, if not with both:





Maybe they are field mods but this can't change the things.
That's why I wrote above the wheelbase is the only sure ID.

[Dusonn]

Hi Ilian,
I am pretty sure these are WOT6s on both of your pictures. The first one is WOT6 "EVA" one of about 25 that came with the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade Group to liberated Czechoslovakia in May/June 1945. On the internet it is wrongly described as WOT6. We have not found any file that would indicate that the WOT8s which the Czechoslovak army had in Great Britain crossed the channel to France after D-day+. All were swapped for other vehicles.
I am not familiar with the second photo but that would also be WOT6. It is just the angle of perspective that makes you think that is has a shorter wheelbase. But the devided cab with handles indicates it clearly, so do the fender pyramid stripe "steps".
Note that the large tank behind the cabin was mounted to both 8s and 6s.

[Peter Mossong]

Originally Posted by Dusonn

Apart from the longer wheelbase, the most significant feature that differs WOT6 from WOT8 is the demountable top half of cab, with the two handles just under the windscreen and a cover stripe over the gap. WOT8 was produced between 1941 and 1942. The early cabs had the round cab ventilator covers whilst the very late models had the rectangular airflows just like the WOT6. The step rings on the front hubs were mounted on both WOT8 and WOT6. I have this on my early WOT8 which has the round airflows. I think the purpose was to get a step to make climbing up into the high cab easier. As these rings are not mounted on the rear hubs, their purpose would not be for lifting the vehicle up for ship loading.
In addition to the features mentioned by Richard, the WOT8 had a hydraulic spare wheel holder lift, whilst on WOT6 it was mechanical. Also the engine cover and dash set-up is different on WOT8, see below.

Not quite that simple other than the cab details. I have recently received the WOT6 parts manuals from Rob van Meel and it shows the hydraulic spare wheel holder assembly as below. Also the GS version shows the fuel tank assembly mounted behind the cab. Unfortunately there are no illustrations of the cab or body but the body parts are fully listed in the index. No details on the change of ventilator system that I can find!

I have collected these to detail the new ICM 1:35th WOT6 kit and as the kit has a machinery body, will have to scratchbuild the GS body, the fuel tank and the spare wheel carrier to build a Kiwi vehicle as in the last photo.
(An early model Ford WOT6 in Italy 1944. NZ National Archives photo DA-06000-F. Markings are for the 5th Field Park Company 2nd NZ Divisional Engineers. White 59 on a Blue square. It and the similar truck behind appear to be carrying sections of a Bailey bridge). Note the early style cab ventilators and the cab roof front vent. Also evidence of repainting and touch-ups! Early roundel type ID on cab roof.

I must also thank Rob for his quick service and providing a great product.
http://robvanmeel.nl/

Cheers,
Pete M.

[Dusonn]

Wow, very interesting period picture Peter. It destroyed my belief of the early round air-flows being mounted on WOT8 exclusively. This must have been a very early WOT6 contract, switching the production from WOT8. Would be interesting to see the dash setup. I believe the later slope airflow cover was improvement to prevent water leaking inside the cab. Also I believe the hydraulic spare wheel holder must have been mounted to very early WOT6s. Too complex to meet war production cost requirements and maintenance in field I suppose.
I have a large maintenance manual for WOT6 GS, WOT6 Machinery and WOT8 which shows a better picture of the hydraulic holder system. It also contains some interesting pictures like the top cab removal.

[Peter Mossong]

Thanks for those added photos. Helps with my build plans.

I must have a good read of the parts books again, but I suspect they are for the later contract vehicles (V-5088). Going by the 'Chilwell List', this vehicle was from contract V-4150 so I will have to do some more 'digging'.

Cheers,
Pete M.

[Peter Mossong]

Originally Posted by Dusonn

Wow, very interesting period picture Peter. It destroyed my belief of the early round air-flows being mounted on WOT8 exclusively. This must have been a very early WOT6 contract, switching the production from WOT8. Would be interesting to see the dash setup. I believe the later slope airflow cover was improvement to prevent water leaking inside the cab. Also I believe the hydraulic spare wheel holder must have been mounted to very early WOT6s. Too complex to meet war production cost requirements and maintenance in field I suppose.
I have a large maintenance manual for WOT6 GS, WOT6 Machinery and WOT8 which shows a better picture of the hydraulic holder system. It also contains some interesting pictures like the top cab removal.

I have just received the same manual and the first section on the bodywork mentioned the two differing fronts, the early WOT6 and the WOT8 originally had a multi-piece front section. Like the hydraulic spare wheel carrier, this was obviously simplified on later contracts.
I suspect the scoop type ventilators were added when the one piece front panel went into production.

I've added the red arrows!

Pete M.

[Dusonn]

Hi Peter,

good spot, this would be true as the early engine cowling is clearly seen on the picture from remowing the WOT6 top roof. This means the whole early dash set-up would be the same as on WOT8. But looking at the picture you can see that the scoop front vents are introduced already whilst the engine cowling it still old style. I guess on the turn in production there would be lots of mysteries like this. They would use whatever was left on stock before introduction of the new type.

Thinking of it again, it is very strange that the later WOT8s were mounted with the scoop style vents but on your picture of the NZ army truck iwhich is obviously WOT6, it still has the early round type vents. Does not make much sense to me at the moment .

[David Herbert]

Peter,
Your reference to the engine cowling change refers to the engine cover inside the cab, not to the front panel of the cab itself as you seem to suggest in post #20.

David

[Peter Mossong]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

Peter,
Your reference to the engine cowling change refers to the engine cover inside the cab, not to the front panel of the cab itself as you seem to suggest in post #20.

David

Hi David. Yes, in re-reading the manual again that makes sense.

Another item of note, the early GS bodies appear to be wooden with metal framing and the later bodies were metal sided with what appears to be wooden metal framed front and tailgate. More coming to light!

Cheers,
Pete M.