Who like a Mystery?

[Mike Cecil]

Tim,

The truck with the chassis number 38443M00678 equates to the Commonwealth (Army) Registration number 142001, taken on charge in Victoria (which fits with the 'M' indicating assembly at GM-H's Melbourne - Fishermans Bend - plant as mentioned by Keith).

It was a C60L 'Truck, 3 ton, GS with winch' and is noted as a 'steel body', ie a standard fixed sides steel base body as produced by GM-H at their Woodville, SA plant. The complete nomenclature would therefore be a 'Truck, 3 ton, GS with Winch (Aust) No.2'. The Census Code was 6071 and the Mechanical Vehicle Field Specification (MVFS) was 1314.

Original engine number appears to have been PR3923988, but with at least four other engine replacements while in service, the last being in 1955: PR3957377. The truck was written off and disposed of on 17 August 1961. No other info available.

As an aside, chassis number 2844300678 was a C60L configured as a 'Stores-Binned'.

Sounds like your C60L has been altered - perhaps beyond redemption?

Mike C

[hrpearce]

Wow Mike where were you when I was trying to id my blitz?
Does the 3 at the start of the chassis no. mean a 1943 build?

[Mike Cecil]

Probably sitting on my behind in the office, laboriously transcribing chassis numbers......

Yes, the '3' prefix indicates a 1943 build/assembly. Hence, the same number with a '2' prefix from the previous year, but without the location code (M), for a different vehicle.

Mike C

[Tim Lovelock]

Wow, what a great help you have all been, Robert, Keith and Mike, thank you all sincerely.
So beginning with my first thread, the rear suspension has been moved forward with the diff in front of the still existent winch. Helper springs and mounts have also been removed.
She was discharged from the army the year I was born, 52 years ago after 18 years service. 5 engines in 12 years that's quite a thrashing!! Did I read somewhere that they are a splash pan motor?
Surprisingly enough the chassis and what's left of the cab probably has the original green paint. I came into possession of this vehicle after it being stored in a shipping container for some years, prior to being put outside, so first and foremost are plans to get her inside again.
If I can indulge in a couple more questions.
I'm figuring the Commonwealth Reg No.142001 is the number painted on the front cowl?
The 8444-1942 under your bonnet Robert is that a standard thing?
What do the census code and MVFS stand for?
And what would a C60L (Aust) No.2 "Stores-Binned" look like??
Beyond redemption, I'm not sure, given my aim all along has been a 101" of course ever since making the Tamiya 25 pdr & Quad model some time ago I've always fancied a GT, I guess I'll join the que and try to win tatts.
The other mod she had at sometime was for canvas doors.
Thanks again as today she has a history and story that was non-existent yesterday.
If you thought this one was a basket case, Mike you have encouraged me to get the grinder out and cut the steel plate the S.A. Country Fire Service welded on my other girl, I would say to strengthen its chassis as a water tanker. But if its ok with you, I'm willing to remove a small portion to try and get the all important chassis number, which might just be an exercise in futility given how many of these vehicles were manufactured in the first place. But it's very exciting to have a little more history. Cheers Tim
Regards Tim

[hrpearce]

Originally Posted by Tim Lovelock

If I can indulge in a couple more questions.
I'm figuring the Commonwealth Reg No.142001 is the number painted on the front cowl?
The 8444-1942 under your bonnet Robert is that a standard thing?

142001 goes on the cowl and instead of 8444 your blitz would have had 8443 under the bonnet. The 1942 should be 1943 on both our blitz's but whoever stenciled mine used the wrong year. The other questions I can't answer.

[Tim Lovelock]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

142001 goes on the cowl and instead of 8444 your blitz would have had 8443 under the bonnet. The 1942 should be 1943 on both our blitz's but whoever stenciled mine used the wrong year. The other questions I can't answer.

Cheers Rob

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Tim,

To answer your questions as best I can:

I'm figuring the Commonwealth Reg No.142001 is the number painted on the front cowl? - yes, as per the previous answer, and across the tail gate, usually low and in the centre.

The 8444-1942 under your bonnet Robert is that a standard thing? Yes: underbonnet nomenclature for all Australian Army MVs was introduced in mid-1942, and was retrospective (ie was also to be painted on existing vehicles in the field, as well as by assembly contractors). As said, yours should read 8443-1943 (or 8443-1942, depending on how you read the orders, as it was the model and model year, rather than the year of production, that was required. Generally, however, the year of production/assembly was inserted)

What do the census code and MVFS stand for? The CC was the Army code for the vehicle type/class, rather than laboriously writing out the complete nomenclature each time. The MVFS was a document that described the vehicle, and listed all tools and accessories that were issued with the vehicle, and who supplied them (manufacturer, assembly contractor, or ordnance).

And what would a C60L (Aust) No.2 "Stores-Binned" look like?? From the outside, it looked like a GS truck. Inside the base body, a set of stacked steel bins were fitted along each side to carry small parts, replacement items and equipment such as webbing, etc depending on the application/user-unit of the vehicle. For example, an Ordnance Supply unit might carry such things as webbing equipment pieces, while a Field Workshop might have one for small truck parts, and another for small arms repair parts, and so on. The canopy frame was infilled with cyclone wire panels for security, and covered with a canvas canopy. I think there were a set of steps attached to the inside face of the tail gate, too, (but am I thinking of the Office truck? - will have to check).

Mike C