C8A HUM census numbers?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I'll do a proper write up someday of what I have found about this subject.

We need to differentiate between the supply side (as in: which vehicle types were delivered to which countries under which contracts) and the demand side (which vehicle types were used by which Army).

For now I'll leave it with a quote from Drive to Victory:

Instructions issued during the war, on several occasions, were very specific on the use of census numbers. As Canada rented many vehicles from the British, especially in the first 18 months of the war although it remained a practice throughout the war, units were advised not to add the 'C' prefix to these rented vehilces. This clearly shows the Canadian prefix denoted true ownership and not simply use.

Hence my remark about the HUP shown above. It cleary is in use with the Canadian Army (unit markings, date & location), but it has a British War Department number (it has no "C"). Hence it was built under a contract from the British War Department and then loaned to the Canadian Army - the preceding "C" was not added as per the instructions. Of course its ownership could have been transferred to the Canadian Army, they would have then been allowed to add the "C" - in this case they may not have had the time or inclination to do so.

In any case I'll bet you that HUP had a data plate with a contract number starting with "S/M".

Question: could someone with a copy of C8A-04 Illustrated Spare Parts Manual for the C8A check the order numbers referenced in there, please?
I read that the June 1945 version of C8A-04 lists 41 contracts, both British S/M and Canadian CDLV (or LV).

[Alex van de Wetering]

Hanno,

This is definately a interesting subject to dive into a little more, as I think there is a discrepancy between the actual regulations and the reality. Your suggestion of the C8A Manual would be a nice start.

I think the "C" prefix only works one way....if a vehicle has a "C" you can be sure it's a Canadian contract or Canadian owned vehicle (As Clive wrote in Drive to Victory). But, if it doesn't have the "C" you can't be sure if it's a Canadian or British contract (or owned) vehicle.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Question: could someone with a copy of C8A-04 Illustrated Spare Parts Manual for the C8A check the order numbers referenced in there, please?
I read that the June 1945 version of C8A-04 lists 41 contracts, both British S/M and Canadian CDLV (or LV).

Thank you Mr Hupmeister!

Interesting to see the list of British SPLY/MECH (S/M) orders, and the list of miscellaneous orders for Canada, New Zealand, China and France. The last two were a surprise to me.

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