FWD HAR-01

[Alan Brock]

Neil,

Have been looking at your pictures of the FWD.
In case you didn't know the meaning of the data plate ;
GL Mk111, Canadian,
Truck number 3,
Assembly ZC/C2675

Well, the vehicle was used for towing the Canadian version of the Gun-Laying (GL) Radar Mk3. This radar was carried in 2 trailers, one each for receiver and transmitter. A third trailer was used to tow the generator, a 15kVA Lister or similar.
The towing vehicles would probably have specialist bodies for carrying all the crew and kit associated with the radar setup.
Your vehicle was truck number 3, but what it actually towed I do not know.
ZC/C2675 is a radio/electrical stores part number and may have indicated what it towed or additional equipment stowed inside the vehicle, I don't know for sure .
The trailers were quite heavy and would have required a sturdy towing vehicle, other vehicles designated for the task were the AEC Matador and Albion CX22S.
The British version of the GL3 was carried in just one trailer and weighed 9.5 tons ! ( I have 2 which I am hoping to restore) . This combination only needed 2 towing vehicles.
Hope this is of interest to you.
Alan Brock