Bedford QL mystery

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
May I ask what the opinion is about this QL Troop Carrier from the batch L 559110 - 562075 Contract V.4914, Lorry 3 ton Troop Carrying and W/T and V.4924 3 ton Troop Carrying. Note the photo is dated November '44 and stamped January '45. It has "F251" on the cab on the left side and "LOT 521" as well as "F 251" on the driver's side and "F 260" on the body! It's Census Number L 560479. I have never seen an "F" serial before. I am for once stumped.

So, is it a rebuild or rebody job?

David,

This census no. L 560479, is a very early one for a QL. The bodies for Troopers were built as far as I am aware, by Austin Motor Co. I have seen these "F" numbers on vehicles in photos like this before, but do not think them to be serials or census as such. The puzzling thing is the date on the photo, because by that time, regulations on painting would have had the lorry in olive drab overall and not "Mickey Mouse". Rebuilt vehicles usually were renumbered in to a group of Census numbers allocated as such. ( I know of a Bedford MW like this where we know the original Census no. and the later one after rebuild comes up on the Key Card when you enter in the post war census number).