Blitz with dual wheels?

[Mike Cecil]

Well spotted Keith! And yes, what a nice image it is.

The Unit sign is S = South Australia and '105', which was a General Transport Company, hence South Australia GT Company, so this is a vehicle in 4th Military District (South Australia) rather than 3MD (Victoria).

Mike C

[warren brown]

Hi everyone -went out and had squizz at this truck yesterday. The chassis was standing in long grass - full of brown snakes. On saturday the farmer's Jack Russell terrier cornered a brown snake - the snake reared up like a cobra and the dog kept at it - eventually the snake decided to leave but the dog had it by the tail - the snake dragging the little dog through the grass! Ugh! The farmer said he thought 'the dog was a goner' but it happily the little bloke wasn't bitten. The farmer - who's a classic car buff - Ford Customline, XP falcons etc - had pulled the Blitz apart to restore it and so the truck's been in pieces for some time. The chassis was very good indeed - surface-rusty, but not rusted - but the cab sitting next to it was exceptional. No rust in it whatsover and straight. In his shed were the guards, engine etc - the panel work was like new, the steel doors fantastic, so at least those bits had been out of the elements. I think - it's a C60S (?) and i'm guessing it was a tipper - someone might be able to tell from the photos. The ID plate might say something - but I don't really know the ins and outs of those. Certainly it's a rare model as you can see it's fitted with a Hills Hoist.

[Keith Webb]

Yes it's a C60S chassis and what's more (if I read right) it is WO78 which was a No6 arty tractor, not a tipper, although it seems to be missing the winch mount side plates.
The chassis number (again if I read correctly) is 28442S00644 which would mean it had ARN 73618, was built in Sydney, delivered to Melbourne. Only thing which doesn't line up is the engine number listed for that truck in the records...
Did you get a shot of the cab showing the back wall? If it was a No6 it should have the speaking tube unique to these and ambulances.
The Hills Hoist is definitely a rare addition!
The other mystery is why a Ford man has a Chev in his collection.

[warren brown]

Thanks Keith! That sounds interesting! The farmer said the truck came from up Canowindra way and that's all I could get about its history - his Blitz knowledge wasn't particularly great - which is easy to understand as they just bought it as a farm vehicle way back when. So - would arethe dual wheels correct?

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by warren brown

Thanks Keith! That sounds interesting! The farmer said the truck came from up Canowindra way and that's all I could get about its history - his Blitz knowledge wasn't particularly great - which is easy to understand as they just bought it as a farm vehicle way back when. So - would arethe dual wheels correct?

Correct for a modified No6 at least.

[warren brown]

Actually Keith - I didnt get a shot of the back wall - I kid you not, everyone was jumpy about snakes yesterday - it was bloody hot and we've got copperheads and tiger snakes out in force at the moment too. The Jack Russell - being about the size of shoe - kept charging into the grass only to disappear and everyone was nervy he'd resurface with a brown snake in his jaws. The farmer had bits of the truck all over the place - in sheds - in the paddock - so those missing bits could be around. The whole thing nearly went to the tip a few weeks ago - his-son-in-law was ready to hoik it all - but mercifully he saved it. And yes - it occurred to me it was strange having a Chev when he could have a Ford...

[Richard Farrant]

Geez Warren, stop talking about those damn snakes, I have started to twitch

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Geez Warren, stop talking about those damn snakes, I have started to twitch

Maybe we should lend you a Jack Russell for piece of mind when you visit Corowa Richard, you know snakes love to live along rivers.

[motto (RIP)]

Sounds like that cocky should have had a burn off at the right time of year. Too late now, total destruction would be the inevitable outcome if that grass got going. Looks like no bushfire preparation there. Reduces the chances of a snake encounter as well.

Yesterday was our last chance to burn off here and we spent a lot of the day raking up and burning tree litter. Fuel reduction's the name of the game.

170 dead in one day in 2009 keeps things fresh in your mind when you live in a fire prone area.

Don't worry about the snakes Richard, we'll fit up with some bowyangs. You'll be right. (Look that up in your Funk and Wagnals).

David