[Mike Cecil]

This may possibly be an Army contract vehicle (finished at the Factory in green) later transferred to the RAAF. A large number of vehicles ordered under Army contracts were transferred to the RAAF during the second half of 1945 and into 1946. Not all were used, just sat in vehicle parks until disposed of.

Most 4G engine numbers followed by a Five (5) digit number beginning with '4' seem to have ended up with the RAAF. The embossed chassis number on the dash plate of this truck - 196272 - has a number of close-by F60S relatives in RAAF service taken on charge in the latter part of 1945. For example, RAAF 213713 is listed with chassis 196257, a 'Truck, Heavy Water, Spray'. Two others close by are chassis 196250, an F60S prime mover, and 196279, a Tipper.

The RAAF recording of such things is very inconsistent, with many 'not known' entries or just left blank, so it may well be one of these. Some rubbing back may reveal more.

Tony: I have doubts about the claim 'before going to the CDC' during the post-war 1940s: the disposal method turned over all surplus equipment to the CDC. The disposals were conducted 'in situ' on military bases, and an organisation like the BFB was government-sanctioned, so had an early pick of what was available before the original supply company (in this case Ford) or joe public got their chance.


Mike