Info needed: Trailer socket Humber one ton

[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

[Dave Mills]

Yes Robert, the tracta joints are a worry, although with yours if it was out of the army and very quickly parked up you may be lucky. Axle bearings taper and roller are over the counter stock. The seals oil and fording are another question and be prepared to shell out the dollars to get these from the UK. It took two donor vehicles to complete our resto we named them "Crayfish" rough on the outside and nice on the inside,however, your body looks a lot better than ours started out as. May the force be with you Robert as you enter the dark art of Humber drive train repair and of course the rust. Our resto thread has some pics of our tracta joint overhaul and of course I am sure that Rich and I can offer plenty of advice from afar.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Robert, the vulnerability of the tracta joints is generally caused by complete absence of lubrication. Like the Ferret, oil needs to be pumped through the outer tracta housing, into the inner tracta until it appears at the level plug on the diff housing. All too often the oil input was just used as a grease nipple with poor results.
Are you thinking of Archie Marshall? He imported all the Champs etc back when they were released from the British army, into WA, when he closed up the remainder parts wise was sold to Altmanns at Stawel (Vic).
Aust. Humber chassis start at 630001, yours being the 9th, FYI it was the also the 4th one to be given it's ARN.
One rear tail light, one brake light, both on the drivers side, a red reflector each side that appear to have been retro fitted as positions vary. No indicators.
Next time your trawling the net, Paul Handel has a terrific article on the Humber's introduction to Australia: http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/oth...rtruckph_1.htm
Rich.

[Robert Sexton]

Thanks for that info Richard. I recall Archie Marshall but the other one was Soltoggio Bros who still operate as wreckers. I believe they had some of the Ferret and Humber parts and then on sold them.Although I am not near doing the wiring I intend to put taillights/stop/indicators in in anticipation of maybe a full license.I have NOS reflectors form Marcus Glen for the trailer, they are the same as the Humber I am sure .
I have read Paul's story on the Humber ,you have to be thankful that people like him have taken the time and trouble to record some of our obscure past.
I will be in Victoria some time in the not to distant so will make time to call into Russel Altman's establishment.
I have just finished the drive train on the C60, it is no where near as scary as the Humber to look at,all a challenge.
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.