1941 Fordson WOT 2H truck. After 10 years

[jack neville]

Mike,

Did you ever do any research or learn anything of the CFA sales? Where and when they were held? It is an avenue of investigation I have thought of exploring. I would think the Amphitheatre WOT could have been among the same batch from Redbank. Only a guess, but the proximity is close.

[Mike Cecil]

Jack,

Not sure what you mean: (1) sale from disposals to the CFA, or (2) later disposal from the CFA to whoever.

The first was, I understand, not so much a 'sale' as 'disposal' to eligible users during the latter part of the war. The CFA in Victoria were considered essential users and disposal was by direct sale to them from the Commonwealth Disposals Commission. A list of vehicles available was posted, and only eligible users could apply for, and choose what they wanted. CFA chose a batch of WOTs. Doctors, farmers, etc etc were all considered essential users, so many were able to get used sedans and the like - there were a lot of used vehicles ex-US Reciprocal Lend Lease, for example, plus the 'orphans' (like WOTs) from the Australian services that had been replaced by better, more modern types.

As to the second scenario, this aspect is outside my area of interest.

Mike

[jack neville]

Sorry Mike that last post was actually directed at Mike Kelly but thanks for your input. I have wondered whether CFA records or old auction accounts still exist which may identify the vehicles and when they were disposed of from CFA use. Perusal of old newspapers would reveal something if there was any way of picking a start date to look .

[Mike Cecil]

That's OK: sorry for being so presumptuous!

As to Mike's comment about the WOT going like a rocket, I was fortunate to have to drive (yea, I know.... some chore, eh?) the AWM's WOT at the time of purchase from the restorer in north east Victoria. We took it for a road run of several miles, and the torque on low inclines was excellent - it would even pick up speed if I 'floored' it. It motored along really well, to say the least. I think that unit was an ex-CFA WOT2D, one of the refugee cargo vehicles given Aust registrations.

Mike C

[jack neville]

I have a 'before' photo of the AWM WOT. The restorer was Alec Duke from Murtleford. You are correct. It was an exCFA truck. Alec helped me out with patterns for the hood and fuel tank shields on my truck. After I gave a couple of parts to the Bandiana Museum WOT, I loaned them the tank shield and they got the Tennix(?) workshops to knock up a set for both of us. It would be interesting to know how WOTs remain. I can account for about a dozen. I have had four.

[Mike K]

The old VMVC web site is out there in cyberspace . The article by Alec Duke

http://www.vmvc.org.au/vmvc1au/vmvc/...c1au/Duke.html

[jack neville]

Mike,

I've checked the number on the lat WOT2H recovered from Wagga during last Corowa. Engine and chassis match . Full number is BB 18F 6182824. Any ino on this one. I still have to resurrect the chassis number on the WOT D remains I have. I suspect that may be one of the refugees.