"Indian Pattern odd job"

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The owner shared a picture of the radiator “in fact it has a hole for a hand crank to pass through the radiator!”

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[Alex van de Wetering]

The owner shared a picture of the radiator “in fact it has a hole for a hand crank to pass through the radiator!”

Hanno....it just has to be one, right? The top tank of the radiator seems to have a slightly different shape...and as you say the cap is in a different position. But, I presume there could be details differences between radiator suppliers.

Did the seller share any more pictures? Dataplate? Chassis/engine number?

[Tony Smith]

"Odd Job".

While the roofline and windscreens appear to be of a 13 Cab pattern, it is interesting to note the engine cover and Instrument Binnacle are 12 Cab. You cannot retrofit these to a 13 Cab truck without major work, so the truck has been designed from the start as a real Odd Job.

Anyone driving past the Central Northern SA Deserts soon?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Note how the strengthening rib inside the cab compares to the original:

A97F8ABE-8203-47E1-B970-49688DF2BCF9.jpeg 8D0AE4EB-A5B5-4B76-8EB0-9EFE35B272FA.jpeg

[Alex van de Wetering]

While the roofline and windscreens appear to be of a 13 Cab pattern,

Hanno, Tony, I wonder if the roof and windscreen could have been added in it's civvy life(?)

It does seem the Indian Pattern Odd-jobs show some variations as well....I see at least two different engine covers (flat with square box on top....or slighly round shaped without the extension box). Some seem to have a sharp edge along the sloping nose line, while others have a rounded edge. Also, some differences in the hole for the steering box....just a plain hole, vs a hole with a fancy strip around it. Most run without windscreen, some do have a windscreen (retrofitted by Dutch????) I presume these custom noses could have been done by different people and maybe at different companies/depots (?), which would explain the differences.

Any of our Indian members that know more about this subject?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

It’s still there…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/9458...5627247130600/

Harley Liebelt:
"Hey guys, thought I'd try again and see if anyone was interested in this old blitz we have?
It has a Commer Knocker motor (which does run) on the back connected to a post hole drill and a ford side valve v8 upfront.
It is located in far North SA but we have the means to transport it.
Open to offers!"

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[Tony Wheeler]

Folks here will be pleased to learn this old girl has finally been rescued from the wilderness and reunited with her CMP family!

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[Keith Webb]

Fantastic news Tony!

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Folks here will be pleased to learn this old girl has finally been rescued from the wilderness and reunited with her CMP family!

Attachment 128280

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Folks here will be pleased to learn this old girl has finally been rescued from the wilderness and reunited with her CMP family!

Tony, that’s very exciting news! This must be one of the most epic border raids undertaken in Australia. Congrats on acquiring what may well be the rarest CMP.

Please share some technical details later.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Well done Tony!

Please keep us updated on what you are able to find out about the identity and history.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Well done Tony!

Please keep us updated on what you are able to find out about the identity and history.

Thanks Alex, I'll definitely keep you updated on anything further I learn. I'll take some more detailed pics in due course and post in this thread.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Please keep us updated on what you are able to find out about the identity and history.

My general understanding of this CMP type, based on the available evidence, is outlined below. It's basically joining the dots between references in various publications, most of which Hanno has previously identified.

The Ford FGT parts list mentions a "low cowl" variant which corresponds with the C291QH chassis described in the Ford Armoured Vehicles Chassis Instruction Book.

Ford C291QH low cowl chassis.jpg


Bart Vanderveen's Historic Military Vehicle Directory lists the Indian Pattern Armoured Truck, and also mentions a 4-berth Ambulance version. These correspond with the C291QH and C19QHF chassis pictured in Ford publications. Given their intended use for armoured vehicles it's reasonable to assume the H-suffix indicates Heavy, but in practical terms the significant feature of these chassis is the low cowl design, achieved by omitting the front crossmember to allow a low mounted radiator.

C291QH low cowl chassis for IP Armoured Truck.jpg C19QHF low cowl chassis for IP Armoured Ambulance.jpg


The 1944 Ford India training manual lists the various CMP chassis types in use by Indian Army at the time. It shows the aforementioned C291QH and C19QHF chassis as "stripped", which I take to mean they were stripped of their armoured bodies and converted to GS configuration, using a standard timber rear body. This mirrors what occurred in Australia with the Rover Armoured Car when they became obsolete in 1942. Of course, the Rover AC was built on the standard CMP chassis, allowing a standard cab to be fitted, whereas the Indian Pattern low cowl chassis required a completely revised cab design. I shall post some more detailed pics of the cab structure in due course.

Ford India Army Training Course manual (Lauren Child UK).jpeg Ford India Army Training Course manual chassis listing.jpg

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

This must be one of the most epic border raids undertaken in Australia. Congrats on acquiring what may well be the rarest CMP.

Thanks Hanno, it's certainly another epic journey for what is already an extraordinarily well travelled CMP! I presume it's ex-KNIL and was brought to Australia soon after disbandment in 1950, possibly via Darwin. It would have been simple enough to ship from somewhere like Surabaya or even Bali where these vehicles are known to have been stationed. I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

Mintabie to Yarra Junction.jpg


Here she is loaded and ready to depart Mintabie for the 2000 km trek to her new home. Previous owner Peter Liebelt completed the first leg to Adelaide, where she was reloaded for transport to Melbourne.

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Unfortunately Peter had axle problems in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately he managed to stop before they became catastrophic.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Thanks Hanno, it's certainly another epic journey for what is already an extraordinarily well travelled CMP! I presume it's ex-KNIL and was brought to Australia soon after disbandment in 1950, possibly via Darwin. It would have been simple enough to ship from somewhere like Surabaya or even Bali where these vehicles are known to have been stationed. I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

Well travelled it is! How it came to Mintabie is a mystery to me and open to conjecture.
I can see they needed a sturdy SWB chassis as a drill platform, but why import one from Indonesia if there were comparable if not identical chassis available in Australia? The CMPs used by the Dutch Army came from the Netherlands (ex-Canadian Army), Australia and the Indian Army*) - where this FAT came from.
In 1949 when the Dutch finally threw the hat in the ring, they handed over most of their equipment to the Indonesian Army. I have no information about them selling off any of their equipment. They must have had more than enough, so maybe they sold off trucks to dealers? I have no idea how international the second/ third/ fourth hand truck market was in the 1950s.
Like I said, it’s open to conjecture as we simply do not have enough information at hand. One day we’l find out. For now, I am very happy to see this unique CMP in safe hands

*) British Indian Army units occupied Indonesia after the Japanse surrender until the Dutch could muster enough troops to take over their equipment and continue the occupation and ensuing war