Ford P/U - Project

[Ian McCallum]

Hi James, apologies for not sending more pics. Have got a few more together and will send by PM after this.

Fantastic work, looks really good. I may have sent this detail before but this is the rear of my WOC1. I have only ever found the one picture of a WOC in a FFW configuration. Being 6 volt they would obviously need to have carried a charging set. Most appear to have been in a GS configuration.

Keep up the good work.

[Ron Pier]

Ian the supply for the wireless was by means of 2X 6V batteries wired in series to create a 12V supply. One pair mounted by the headboard and another pair mounted further back. One pair would be on charge via the PTO or remote generator whilst the other pair were in operation.
I think the British version PU's all had a 12V supply to the engine and lights?
Ron

[Ian McCallum]

Hi Ron.

The WOC1 was a 6 volt system and was never fitted with a PTO, so if used in a wireless configuration would have to be supplied via stand alone batteries and recharged via portable generator.

The vehicle actually has a plate on the dash which states 'This Vehicle is not suitable for use with a wireless set'

Ian

[Ron Pier]

Hi Ian. Yes I did get that the WOC1 is 6 volts and I did mention a pto OR remote generator. Strange that it says "Not suitable for a wireless" as the wireless would be supplied by it's own batteries, Even that the body tilt is de-mountable which could leave a wireless ground station well away from the vehicle.
Although I can't think that I've ever seen a period picture of a de-mounted tilt. (Anyone?)

But the WOC1 is the one I'm least familiar with.

Both the Morris PU8 and PU8/4 have pto provision for a large generator.

Regards Ron

[Alex van de Wetering]

Strange that it says "Not suitable for a wireless" as the wireless would be supplied by it's own batteries

Maybe because the GS trucks weren't fitted with the bonding straps that the wireless trucks used??? Or was this never fitted to British trucks? My C8 Wireless has braided bonding straps all along the right side of the truck and under the nose panels.

I can't remember which movie it was...either IWM, Australian War Memorial or the New Zealand archive...anyway, the movie shows the tilt being removed and set up a few metres back.

Alex

[Ian McCallum]

The Ford WOC1 in its intended configuration is designated as Personnel/GS, NOT FFW. Unlike its Morris and Humber counterparts it was not as already mentioned fitted with a PTO or screened or earthed. If supplied with batteries to power a set and a means of charging I do not dispute it could obviously be fitted with a radio as per the photo which I suspect to be a No.11 set given the date depicted, but you will see the operators seat is mounted onto the floor with no provision of a foot well.

The WOC1 was short lived, all vehicles being delivered by June 1940 and quickly reverting to home service after Dunkirk. Unfortunately I suspect none would ever be fitted with the No.19 set.

Regardless of service all three British and the Canadian counterpart 8cwts. were fitted with the same design of 'well type' body with removable tilt frame, this being one of the standard stipulations within the contract specification and never repeated on subsequent models.

[Mike K]

I see Ian's WOC has the speaking tube sewn in the tilt. I thought the speaking tube was for the FFW versions only but maybe not.

Here is a pic of the tilt off the vehicle . The canvas apron is interesting .