Fordson WOT8

[Dusonn]

Hello all,
I have recently acquired this WOT8 project. It is a very complete early truck but the cab had suffered too much and collapsed due to being left outside for a long time. With only 4 known examples, these trucks are very rare so just would like to share some pictures for the referrence before I start restoring it.
Some of the cab crossmembers, floor etc. were already replicated and came with it, so does the front left side chassis member that was removed. The original rear body parts were also included but somebody started reconstructing it, using some of the original members beside new. The V8 engine looks fairly good and complete, NOS bearings included.
The truck is missing the radiator guard, the bulky middle section of the engine cover which I believe would be same as for the WOT6. Also one of the doors will need replacing so if anybody know of any donor trucks there I would appreciate having a contact for the owners.
As you can see the truck retained the original front cab ventilation grilles which are unique for WOT8 and are not used on the other known WOT8s which have the later WOT6 style ventilation. I wonder when this change happend, must have been late 1942 as the production was only between 1941-1942 before the WOT6 took over.

[Dusonn]

I took some pictures of the original plates. I would really appreciate if somebody could identify the date of production and possibly where it served.
I found a WD number handwritten on the new rear body section, but cannot verify that. It says L4574948

The cab plate (on rear cab cross-member) says: BODY No: 321 / 1945. The later I believe is not year but production number.

The rear body plate says: BODY No. 320B / 183

Chassis, Contract No. (next to dash) says V4089 Catalogue reference No:56

Any ideas?

[Dusonn]

The dash seems to be intact, with its original wiring.

[Dusonn]

more pictures

[Dusonn]

Original rear body door, original pair of exhausts, spare wheel holder - unfortunatelly the lifting mechanism is missing, will need to find some refference pictures. I was told the WOT8 had a hydraulical system of lifting the spare wheel.
There is a good condition rad, which will need flushing. And view if the foof internals just like the one found in Australia.

[Dusonn]

engine with a funny looking gearbox with air-compressor. Detail for the steering wheel.

[Dusonn]

Few more pictures of the cab, petrol tank with holders, rear fenders and engine parts. As you can see there is a long way to go, but surely worth the effort to save this piece of British history.

Still wonder if anybody could identify where L4574948 could serve. Is there any archive to search in?
Anybody knows who owns the ex-Andrew Morgan WOT8 in the UK?

[Howard]

Great stuff!

[Dusonn]

Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Czechoslovak Independent Brigade help cleaning rubble after the air-bombing of Coventry, UK, spring 1942.

[jack neville]

Lots to start with Dusan.
What is the channel piece to the right of the fuel tank? Is that part of the spare wheel holder?

[Dusonn]

Hi Jack,

thats actually the fuel tank holder platform. I initially wrongly identified it as the spare wheel holder, but it fits on the left side of the chassis just under the tank. So I am also missing the spare wheel holder.

Not sure if you got my email, but I have a spare fuel tank which could be yours. Clean inside, but has a dent on one side and the lid is missing the lever (see picture). It is very heavy however so the transport to OZ might be quite expensive...

[Dusonn]

Found the period pictures of WOT8s are quite scarce on the internet so few for you guys to enjoy.

Fordsons of Czechoslovak Light Field Ambulance, Northampton, UK, April 1944

[Dusonn]

Engineer Company of the Czechoslovak Independent Brigade, Yeovill 1942

[Dusonn]

One more picture of the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Czechoslovak Independent Brigade during cleaning air-raid rubble, Coventry 1942

[Dusonn]

Maintenance of Fordson WOT8 by soldier of the Transport Logistics unit of the Czechoslovak Independent Brigade in Great Britain

[Dusonn]

And finally one from Signal Company of the Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade, Great - Oahley, Northampton. March 1944
Also with the WOT2

[Dusonn]

I have just bought a copy of the "B" Vehicle W.D. Numbers book based on the Central ordnance depot in Chilwell, which lists all the allocated W.D. number for soft skin vehicles, in order to find out more about my WOT8. Not much info there, says Lorry 3ton 4x4 G/S.
The W.D. number fits within the V4089 contract stated on the data plate of my vehicle. What does the Reference number 56 stands for? Is there any list or info about the actual contracts, i.e. date, delivery etc? I am trying to work out the date of production of my truck.

[chippyrail]

Hi, I am making the Resicast GS conversion of the ICM WOT 6 kit in 1/35th scale & I am stuck on the petrol tank size. I thought the tank on the WOT 8 & 6 were the same size but the tank in the Resicast kit is so much larger than the one in the ICM WOT 6 kit. Would you know if the two vehicles had the same size tank & would it be possible to let me have the size of yours please?
Regards Howard Robins

[Dusonn]

Hello Howard,

although I haven´t had an opportunity to see any WOT6, the large petrol tanks should be the same. I had two tanks with my WOT8 and a friend has another one on his. All three match. The WOT6 followed up with production after the WOT8 was ceased so they used the same parts on the early types. Even the holders looks the same. Below find the basic dimensions.
To give you a scale for your modell, the wheel rim measures 59cm in diameter.

For those who buy the ICM WOT8 kit and decide to dedicate it to the Czechoslovak Independent brigade in Great Britain, the "lion" insignia they sell it with is wrong. The ICM got probably inspired by some of my period pictures but missed the detail and used a butcher gild lion instead! The brigade badge was used up to June 1943 until it got replaced by the Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade Group badge - white lion on the red cross with blue background. Both should look like these originals here.

[chippyrail]

Hi Dusonn, thanks for the measurements. this tank has the markings as the Resicast model, Which I have mislaid!! Could you tell me what the markings for the WOT 8 would have been for the Czechoslovak Army in the Middle East? Thanks for your help, much appreciated. Howard

[Dusonn]

Originally Posted by chippyrail

Hi Dusonn, thanks for the measurements. this tank has the markings as the Resicast model, Which I have mislaid!! Could you tell me what the markings for the WOT 8 would have been for the Czechoslovak Army in the Middle East? Thanks for your help, much appreciated. Howard

Howard, I do not think the Czechoslovak Army in the Middle East would have had a WOT8, at least there is no photo evidence for this. They used all sorts of vehicles including early CMPs but not many as it was an infantry battalion in early years and when there was a need for long range transfer they used British transport units. No specific Czechoslovak marking was used. From half of 1942 when the Czechoslovak battalion 11 - East got transformed to Czechoslovak Light AA regiment -200, they got Bofors guns mostly towed by Bedford QLs, Morris CDSW tractors etc. An order came in at the time to use Czechoslovak flag marking on the right wing such as below. On 4th July 1943 the regiment was tranfered to Great Britain where they join the Czechoslovak brigade...