GM Foxes in Indonesia

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Further to the thread GM Foxes in N.West Europe, I'll start a thread with some pics of GM Fox Armoured Cars used in Indonesia by the Netherlands Army.

Parade, 1947:

Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/07a9df...0-0077056c55f5

1947:

Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/3ff30c...7-5a687d0c6e57

[Hanno Spoelstra]

From my Made in Canada website: Car, Armoured, Mark I, Fox I:

Shortly after WW2, when the Netherlands were trying to prevent Indonesia becoming independent, the Humber Mk.IV Armoured Car was the backbone of the Royal Netherlands Army's reconnaissance squadrons. When the supply of usable Humber Mk.IV's ran out, 39 Foxes were acquired from the vehicle dump at Deelen. During October 1946 Machinefabriek Wilton Fijenoord in Rotterdam fitted a Humber turret to a Fox hull. The firing trials on 7 November 1946 were very successful so it was decided to convert 34 Foxes. The advantage of the Humber's 37 mm main gun was that uniformity in armament was retained. Also, the Fox's GMC engine was easier to maintain as the RNLA used large numbers of GMC trucks with the same powerplant. The Humfox armoured cars were shipped to Indonesia were they were used by the recce squadrons in conjunction with Ford Lynx or Humber Mk.III Reconnaissance Cars.

After the independence of Indonesia, the RNLA handed over much equipment. It is not known if and for how long the Indonesian Army used Humfoxes. Also, it is possible that a number of them were shipped back to the Netherlands. On 17 March 1951 the material overview still listed 14 "armoured cars, GMC, closed, with turret, Foxhound". It is unclear whether these were Fox or Humfox armoured cars.

Tour through West Java by the Huzaren van Boreel regiment, 1948:


Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/492a2a...3-0f7913d10983



Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ff8ed0...7-b5c5b29387fa

[charlie fitton]

Would there be any reason for a Humber turret to be in Canada?

I ask because, for a very long time in the late 70's, there was a small gunbarrel and breech lying beside the entrance road to the racetrack range at MTC Meaford.

About the size of a 2 pdr. Most interesting was that all that was left of the turret was the welds.

Wished many times that I'd brought it home.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by charlie fitton

Would there be any reason for a Humber turret to be in Canada?

Now? Yes, but still attached to a Humber Mk.IV armoured car.

Maybe, if one was somehow imported and scrapped. Unlikely, but who knows?

Maybe again, but imported during the war as a template for the Fox design. There is the remains of a Humber reconnaissance car found in an Ontario scrap yard that was most likely the pattern for GM's Otter design.


Why do you ask?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I met with a Fox driver in Indonesia and had him over to visit my Fox. Amazing stories including wire mesh covers over the open hatches during jungle patrols, knives and bayonets wiggling through cracks and pistol ports to more mundane things like remounting the ignition coil under a wheel well to keep it cool enough to run.

I have family photos but think it best to get permission before I post.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

There is the remains of a Humber reconnaissance car found in an Ontario scrap yard that was most likely the pattern for GM's Otter design

Ah yes, the elusive "Otter" which tunred out to be an early Humber LRC Mk.I: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=31146

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

I met with a Fox driver in Indonesia and had him over to visit my Fox. Amazing stories including wire mesh covers over the open hatches during jungle patrols, knives and bayonets wiggling through cracks and pistol ports to more mundane things like remounting the ignition coil under a wheel well to keep it cool enough to run.

I have family photos but think it best to get permission before I post.

That would be good to read! Please share if permitted.

Meanwhile I'll leave you with another photo of the elusive Humfox:

Reportage / Serie [DLC] Tocht door West-Java van de Huzaren van Boreel, w.o. radiowagen (filmwagen)
Beschrijving [Een Humber pantserwagen op een wagon van een trein]
Datum 27 maart 1948
Locatie Indonesië, Nederlands-Indië


Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/745b56...c-43a640affb3c

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Two more Humfoxes in Indonesia: