RAF vehicles

[Larry Hayward]

Here is another problem photo. This van is said to be a signals van and was shown in relation to a story of a Halifax that crashed in 1944, that was in need of some direction finding assistance but sadly crashed. The RAF Type number confirms it was taken after Type Numbers were introduced circa Jan 1944, and yet it has black front mudguards. So is this particular to a type of Ford van as in my previous post or perhaps the use of gloss black before it was ordered in 1946?

As for the colour it looks to be rather dull with traces of camo behind the passenger window, as if the roof is black or dark brown over SCC.2 brown - and yet the mudguards are left in gloss!

[George McKenzie]

I have to my knowledge the only 42 Fordson bomb hauler left with dual tires .A fellow that was in the RCAF brought to Canada after the war as a collector .I have the fuel trolley for it .It is painted light blue .Also have a 42 RCAF ford half ton pickup ,same color .In Canada a civilian could not buy a half ton ford truck during the war. ,only a 3/4 ton . Was there a different color between the RAF and the RCAF vehicles ?

[Larry Hayward]

Yes there was a difference in colours; presumably 'RAF Blue Grey' was permitted in Canada in WW2 but not the UK when it was gradually replaced with Army camo colours from 1939 to 1941 when the factories stopped using RAF Blue Grey. I guess any vehicle imported to Canada from the UK post-war would mean the vehicle had returned to RAF Blue Grey colours. As for my RAF Ford Van photos there is circumstantial evidence to suggest that they were delivered with gloss black mudguards and whatever camo was on the body, the mudguards stayed gloss black throughout WW2!

[Larry Hayward]

Obviously the Type number 1500 means this is not a Signals Van and this number was also used for an RAF Jeep, so its just a basic van.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Obviously the Type number 1500 means this is not a Signals Van and this number was also used for an RAF Jeep, so its just a basic van.

Larry,
According to Bruce Robertson's book, "Wheels of the RAF", the Type numbers were introcuced in early 1944. Type 1500 is shown as a '15 cwt van', so correct for the Ford van. But the jeep would have been Type 1900 which was allocated to '5 cwt 4x4 car'.

regards, Richard

[Larry Hayward]

Richard thanks - I noticed my error after posting and Type 1500 was used for 15cwts so was seen on Bedford MWs too.

[pauldavies]

my all time favourite RAF picture at RAF LLandwrog North Wales
Paul Davies