Dutch buy ex-Australian vehicles

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

A convoluted saga.

Indeed, the Dutch were scrounging the world market for equipment as more and more governments condemned the Dutch reluctance to stop the war on Indonesia's independence. It is interesting to see how they were able to trade with commercial companies and set up deals like the one above.

While arms deals were scrutinized, manufacturers could get export permits for regular/civilian vehicles. The Dutch authorities were not worried about details like gloss or matt paint, LHD or RHD. Many vehicles were ex-Canadian and British Army with RHD, and the drving in Indonesia was on the left anyway.

Attached are some pictures of more Ford/Marmon-Herrington 6x6 F-series trucks and Willys Civilian Jeeps. Seems the only military thing about them are their registration numbers and markings, they were used in action with gloss paint and shiny chrome as there were no resources to repaint them.

144642113_4011086452258433_7755981095590753764_n.jpg 143738185_4011084742258604_7504708152953606009_n_Ford F6-Marmon Herrington trucks.jpg 189074511_4331665060200569_7599827751171486282_n.jpg