Ford and Chevrolet FAT Census Number clashes

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

This is a weird one! Bart's HMVD P.42 has a photo of a Chevrolet C-GT with Census Number H5558307. We know it's a Chevrolet because it has the relevant badge, and the guard support irons. However, it's slap bang in the middle of what the Census listing states is H5558176 to 5558375 which covers FATs to S/M 2546, but these are FORDs! So, was the Census listing wrong, or what? H4546495 on the same page is in the usual Chevrolet S/M 2020 and 2028 series.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

Bart's HMVD P.42 has a photo of a Chevrolet C-GT with Census Number H5558307.

To set things straight:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

The picture David refers to is actually depicting a restored Chevrolet CGT which had a known PIB census number off a Ford FGT applied. I think I pointed this out before, must have been on the old forum.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

This is a real timewarp posting! Was it that long ago that I commented originally?

[servicepub (RIP)]

For what it's worth

http://www.ramtank.ca/census%20allocation.htm

[derk derin]

Hi All,
I will need to assign a W.D. number to my Ford 3 ton ambulance when I am finished the restoration.I see in Clives report that there are 2 sections listing ambulance numbers.A 5 digit and a 7 digit number.What would be a proper number to put on my 1944 Ford 3 ton ambulance and how can I pick a number no one else is using? I know there aren't very many restored ambulances out there but some are restored.Peter Fords CMP list may help but there are some overseas also.Any help would be appreciated.Thanks,
Derk.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Derk,

I will try to dig out a later list (somewhere in my office) that will show the blocks allocated to 1944. I will also clean up this list as an important line is missing. This is the heading for RCASC numbers and it would appear between the numbers starting with '4' and the rest. By 1942 only the long '4xxxxxx' number was in use and the earlier numbers were replaced so your 1944 ambulance should NOT show an RCASC number - clear as mud?
Clive

[derk derin]

Clive,
It is clear as mud so I will blindly follow your leadership in finding me a proper number to stencil on my ambulance when it is done and will try hard to figure out how you do it!! Thanks,
Derk.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by derk derin

... What would be a proper number to put on my 1944 Ford 3 ton ambulance and how can I pick a number no one else is using?
Derk.

Derk,
The latest list that I can put my hands on is dated 11-7-43 (11 July or 7 November?) and shows that the following blocks of WD numbers were allotted to the Canadian Army for use on ambulances;
CA4236201 to CA4236300
and
CA4236551 to CA4236850
Using any number within these blocks would render your restoration accurate, however, I cannot tell you if another restorer somewhere else in the world hasn't used the same number.
Clive

[derk derin]

Thanks Clive,
Here are a few pictures that have been sent to me over the years of different CMP Ambulances. These photo's have their WD numbers visible for reference.The first one is a restoration somewhere?Anybody know this CMP?

The second is in service,Italy, Jan. 1944 according to the info provided.

Another ambulance picture.Not sure if it is in Canadian service?

Derk.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Derk,
If you are looking for photos I can send you a bunch - for your own research only at this time and not for sharing.
Clive

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

A 5827392 to 5827592 S/M 6063
[6043? 6093?] 'Ambulance Office Type 4 stretcher Articised
Cat 235' C298QF

That official photo was taken at the usual village green and is in the Kidbrooke series at the IWM: KID 1724

I also have photos of similar vehicles being assembled by LEP Transport in Goole, near Hull, Humberside, including:
A5827455
A5827461

[derk derin]

Clive,
That would be great if you have photo's you can pass on to me.I have been slowly collecting what I can find on the ambulance and every photo reveals details I will need to make a proper restoration.I am particularly interested in the inside photo's of the ambulance box itself as I am missing the water tank and will have to reproduce this item and the heater is also missing.The outside of the box has flimsy can holders I will also need to study to reproduce and mount properly.On some photo's,it shows a rear step mounted to the frame I am interested in researching to see if one is required for my project.Any help would be greatly appreciated and it would be for my use only.I am also interested in finding the following publication for the ambulance box according to the data plate on the inside beneath the stretcher rack;

Thanks again for all the help,
Derk.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by derk derin

The first one is a restoration somewhere?Anybody know this CMP?

Hi Derk,

The first ambulance is not what it seems. The body has been put on a Ford LAA tractor. I knew the owner of the tractor, it was a very nice example, he sold it and later the new owner swapped the body.

[derk derin]

Hi David,
Thanks for your response.So the British WD number for the ambulances started with just an A followed by the number?Is the half round shroud that runs vertical part of a heater vent?I have seen pictures of them but don't know what they are for.

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the info.I knew something was funny about that setup.It wasn't a 30 cwt because of the 20' wheels and there is no listing I could find of the ambulance box mounted on a 60 cwt short,just the long wheelbase 3 tons.That sure looks like a nice box.Did he have to reskin the box or was it in that good a shape.Mine will have to be reskinned as it is rotten at the bottom,there are tears in the metal sheeting and someone lifted the box off by throwing chains through the side windows and bending the hell out of the window openings and the frames as well.One window frame is missing altogether.I will try and reproduce a new frame by possibly using old windshield frames from cmp's.I don't think I will find any original frames to replace them with.





Isn't it nice to see pictures with grass and not SNOW!Waiting patiently for summer so I can start on the sandblasting!
Derk.