► Photothread: Allied Vehicles in German Service

[carius]

Ebay

George

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

Can someone identify the exact model of this British Ford 3-axle truck in German use ?
Ford Sussex, E817T, E917T, ....I don`t know the differencies between these models...

Image from Ebay
Sturm78

[Maxschnauzer]

Hi Sturm,
On the US Fords the '38 grille had a vertical bar down the center with two smaller bars on each side of it with the horizontal bars attached to the smaller bars. The '39 was much simpler with just a single vertical bar in the center with the horizontal bars attached to that. Assuming it was the same in the UK I would say that your lorry is an E817T.

[kerryboo]

Hi Sturm and Max,
You will note the six-wheel set-up. This suggests that it is a Fordson "Sussex" conversion, probably made for the Royal Air Force. A small number of different configurations were produced, enclosed photo-labs, winch trucks for barrage balloons and such applications as well as GS trucks.
Cheers,
Kerry.

[Sturm78]

Hi Max and Kerry

Was the designation "Fordson Sussex" an official name for all Ford 3-axle models converted in the United Kingdom?
Which is the difference between the Ford Sussex, E817T and E917T models?

Regards
Sturm78

[carius]

Ebay

George

[kerryboo]

Hi Sturm,
As far as I can ascertain, both E817T and E917T chassis were used. The designation are, E=England, 817=1938 model, 917=1939 model. Limited production was maintained throughout 1938 and 1939, thus both models were produced.Both types were of very similar "Barrel Nosed" construction, but with some detail changes. I am by no means an expert and would not know what changes were made between the 817 and 917, sadly. The 1940 model, E017T, was not produced, as work had been undertaken on the 6x4 version using the chassis and parts of the WOT3.
The term Fordson Sussex denotes an English Ford commercial vehicle with a Sussex conversion, from 4x2 to 6x4. There was also a Fordson Surrey conversion, from 4x2 to 6x2. Originally the work of conversion was carried out by CCC, County Commercial Cars, but later the parts needed were supplied by CCC and production-line conversion was completed at Ford's factory in Dagenham. A few units were also produced in the Ford plant in Cork, Ireland.
I hope that this helps,
Kerry.

[carius]

Ebay

George

[carius]

Ebay

George

[Maxschnauzer]

Hi Sturm,
As far as I can ascertain, both E817T and E917T chassis were used. The designation are, E=England, 817=1938 model, 917=1939 model. Limited production was maintained throughout 1938 and 1939, thus both models were produced.Both types were of very similar "Barrel Nosed" construction, but with some detail changes. I am by no means an expert and would not know what changes were made between the 817 and 917, sadly. The 1940 model, E017T, was not produced, as work had been undertaken on the 6x4 version using the chassis and parts of the WOT3.
The term Fordson Sussex denotes an English Ford commercial vehicle with a Sussex conversion, from 4x2 to 6x4. There was also a Fordson Surrey conversion, from 4x2 to 6x2. Originally the work of conversion was carried out by CCC, County Commercial Cars, but later the parts needed were supplied by CCC and production-line conversion was completed at Ford's factory in Dagenham. A few units were also produced in the Ford plant in Cork, Ireland.
I hope that this helps,
Kerry.

Hi Guys,
To further elaborate on the Ford Code System the second digit designated the engine size, with 1= the 3.6 liter (they both had the same engine}; 7 = Ford's model number; T = Truck chassis.
Kerry, do you know whether Dagenham Fords used the same radiator grilles as I posted for the US Fords previously? That is the only visual clue I know of to differentiate between the model years.

[kerryboo]

Hello Max,
From what limited photographic evidence I can find, and I do mean limited, it does appear that in Dagenham the same change was made to the radiator grilles as seen in US production.
Cheers,
Kerry.

[Maxschnauzer]

Thanks Kerry.

[SIS 5]

Hi Sturm 78, hi Max, hi Kerry,

here two pics of Ford Sussex models E 817 T and E 917 T of the RAF for comparing, here the variant as balloon winch.

Best regards

Bert

[Maxschnauzer]

Thanks a lot, Bert.
Those examples clearly illustrate the point.

[carius]

Ebay

George