Fordson WOT (1939)
Light to Medium Trucks, 130,000 produced
The Fordson WOT ("War Office Truck") series were British military trucks built by Ford Britain in World War II, at the Dagenham plant, from 1939 and 1945. On all, circa 130,000 trucks were manufactured of all types, so it became one of most important wartime vehicle programs in Britaon by WW2. Nearly half of these were WOT2 light truck. They all shared a Ford 3.6-litre side-valve V8 engine, 4-speed manual transmission as well as a rugged military chassis and suspensions with standard tyres. Many body variants existed outside of the standard cargo, the wireless radio truk, the ambulance, fire tender, fuel tanker, workshop, etc. This article is about the general purpose WOT-2 light truck, with future updates on the other WOT types.
The WOT Lineage
The Fordson WOT (from War Office 'type'/'truck') was produced by Ford in Britain in the Second World War, in massive quantities by using the famous latest taylorisation methods From Ford, between 1939 to 1945. Of the 130,000 units produced at the gigantic Ford Dagenham plant, extendd in wartime, almost half were the WOT-2, which is the main topic here. This was the light truck variaant, the most common (see below).
Fordson was originally ta separate tractor division of the British Ford company, the name being later applied to commercial vehicles. The acronym WOT for "War Office Truck" meant it was designed from September 1939 by the War Office, to meet standard military requirements. They concerned a a light-to-heavy vehicle, available in five base models. The smallest was the 15cwt and the largest the 3.5 tons, so from a modest lorry to a heavy-duty specialist. However they were not used as tank tractors.
These WOT trucks were earmarked to be all equipped with the same mass-produced 3,621cc V8 side-valve engine. The only differences were that the WOT 1 and 2 as well as WOT 3 were all rear-drive, with a bonnet, whereas the WOT6 and 8 not only were all-wheel-drivebut they has also a forward control cab. In any case, this Ford design was both basic and rugged. It saw action not only with the Royal Army in all sub-branches of the supply train and infantry units, but also with the Royal Navy and RAF.
The majority, mostlu WOT-2 were used for troop and supply and the others were modified as specialists for various uses, such as water carriers, mobile field radio stations, ambulances or airfield fire engines (for the RAF). The WOT8 had more torque and better suited to be assigned to Royal artillery units, deployed as field gun tractor. It becae a familiar figure in the North Africa campaign. The WOT-2, the great workhorse with c65,000 vehicles was declined into the versions A to H.
Fordson trucks were not only from Dagenham, but they also soon came out from Morris Commercial and Bedford. The WOT1, WOT2, WOT3, WOT6 and WOT8 saw action on all terrains and latitudes, with the for the first three, good to average off-road performances, followed by the forward cab trued 4x4 WOT6 and 8. No rigid roof, they were mostly given tarpaulins. Their common 3.6L Ford sidevalve V-8 rated at 85 hp at 3,800 rpm coupled with a 4-speed manual and additional reduction gearbox for the four wheel drive were also ported on the WOT 3D.
About Ford UK
Ford's British story began in 1909, when the company established Ford Motor Company (England) Ltd. The UK became Ford's first major manufacturing base outside North America and eventually one of its most important overseas operations. In the Early Years (1909–1931), Ford initially assembled cars at Trafford Park in Manchester. The famous Ford Model T was built there, helping introduce mass-produced automobiles to British buyers. Ford quickly expanded its dealer network and local manufacturing presence. Then came the Dagenham Era, when in 1924 Ford purchased marshland beside the River Thames at Dagenham, east of London. The enormous factory opened in 1931 and became one of Europe's largest integrated automobile plants. Its location allowed steel, coal, and components to arrive by ship directly to the factory. The first vehicle built there was a Ford AA truck. During the following decades Dagenham produced millions of cars, trucks, tractors, and engines.
Fordson and Wartime Production: Ford UK created the Fordson brand for tractors and commercial vehicles. During World War II, Dagenham produced: Fordson tractors, Bren Gun Carriers, Military trucks including the Fordson WOT series and Special-purpose military engines and equipment. At one point Fordson tractors accounted for about 95% of UK tractor production. Britain's Best-Selling Cars were Fords postwar, until the 1990s, the Anglia, Cortina, Escort, Capri, Fiesta, Sierra or Transit diluted or obsscure the massive role played by Ford in Britain to win the war. For enthusiasts of the Fordson WOT trucks, it's worth remembering that those wartime vehicles were products of the same Dagenham industrial complex that later produced millions of Britain's most famous Ford cars and commercial vehicles.
Many wartime Fordson WOT trucks survived and are praised today by collectioners.
Development
- WOT 1: 6x4, 164 in (4.2 m)
- WOT1A was a 178 in (4.5 m) wheelbase version.
- WOT1 and 1A was mostly used by RAF eg as Fire Tenders
- WOT 2: 4x2, 15-cwt
- WOT 3 4x2, 30-cwt. used by RAF
- WOT 8: 4x4, 30-cwt. Used as artillery tractor in North Africa, supplied to USSR as a Katyusha rocket truck
- WOT 6: 4x4, 60-cwt. longer wheelbase version of WOT8
Variants
WOT1
The largest conventional-cab model, featuring a 6×4 drivetrain. Most were delivered to the Royal Air Force and frequently appeared as Airfield fire engines, Fuel tankers, Barrage balloon tenders and Mobile airfield workshops: Over 9,000 were produced.
WOT2
The most numerous variant, with roughly 60,000 built. It came in several sub-types (A–H) and served as, Infantry transport, Wireless/radio trucks, General utility vehicle, and Light cargo carrier this truly was the "workhorse" of the series.
WOT3
A medium-duty 30-cwt truck primarily used by the RAF. Nearly 18,000 were produced between 1939 and 1944.
WOT8
A compact 4×4 vehicle developed as an artillery tractor. It saw notable service in North Africa, in British artillery units and Soviet forces under Lend-Lease. Some Soviet examples were adapted as carriers for Katyusha rocket launchers. About 2,500 were built.
WOT6
The best-known heavy WOT variant. Essentially a larger, longer-wheelbase WOT8, it featured a 4×4 drive, a 3-ton payload and excellent cross-country performance. It had an Optional roof hatch for observation or machine-gun use. Nearly 30,000 were produced, and some remained in military service after the war into the 1970s.
WOT 2
The Fordson WOT was a military truck made by Ford of Britain during the Second World War at its factory in Dagenham near London. From 1939 to 1945, a total 130,000 WOTs were produced, with almost half being WOT 2s. The abbreviation of WOT stands for War Office Truck. Fordson was originally a separate company from Ford that produced tractors. Starting with independently developed commercial vehicles by Ford of Britain Fordson was used as the name for the British vehicles from Ford. Before the start of World War II, Ford of Britain built about the Fordson Thames 7V and the Fordson E83W. The Fordson WOT was developed in Dagenham being built from from mid-June 1940 with about 130 trucks being made a day.
The WOT 2 was the smallest version of the six models with a payload of around 750 kilograms. The WOT2 was built as a flatbed or van . In the six-year construction period improvements were constantly being made, with the model gaining a designated letter. These ranged from A to H. The A model had an open cab with a canvas roof and small windows that were not completely sealed off. The E model had partially closed metal doors but no windshield. The electrical system was originally 6 volts but was increased in later versions to 12 volts. In total about 60,000 WOT2s were built and there were in use up into the 1950s.
""Delivered by the British forces in Germany just after WW II.
Shown vehicles used by the Signals for telephone maintenance.
Historical: Ford WOT2 was one of the standardised 4x2 15-cwt trucks, the first type of truck to go in mass production when full mechanisation of the British Army was undertaken in the 1930s. Other makes included the Morris-Commercial CS8 / C4, Commer, Bedford MW and Guy Ant.
At the outbreak of WW II the Ministry of Supply commissioned a series of "War Office Trucks", designated WOT1 to WOT6 and covering the weight classes 15cwt, 30cwt and 3 ton.
The WOT2 family of trucks progressed from 'infantry trucks' with open cabs (with folding windscreens and canvas doors) and tiltless bodies to 'GS trucks' with (semi-)enclosed cabs and GS bodies with full-length canvas tilts (known as GS Vans). Other special bodywork for the WOT2 included house-type and fire service vans. Some were converted to light AA trucks with 20 mm Polsten or Hispano canon.
The WOT2 series ranged from WOT2A to WOT2H. The WOT2A and C were infantry trucks with open cabs and GS bodies, WOT2B and D were the same but had a GS Van body. With the introduction of weather protection on all 15 cwts in 1943, the WOT2E, F and H got semi-enclosed cabs with full width windscreen and metal half-doors. No G-model was ever made.
Produced from 1939 until 1945 by Ford Motor Company Ltd. of Dagenham.
Almost 60.000 build.
The WOT2 remained in service in the British Army into the fifties, but was eventually superseded by the 1-ton post-war trucks such as the Morris-Commercial MRA1 and Austin K9."
Chassis and general design
Engine & Mobility
specifications |
| Dimensions | 4.50 x 2.30 x 2.00 m (177 x 79 x 90 inches). |
| Weight | Empty 2,050 kg, fully loaded d3.327 kg (7.395 lb.). |
| Payload | 750 kgs. |
| Crew | 1 driver +7 passengers |
| Propulsion | V8-cyl. 3.621 cm3 (220 cu. in.) Petrol: 60 hp at 2.840 rpm. |
| Transmission | 4-speed, no transfer case |
| Electrical System | 12 volt (early models 6 volt). |
| Tyres | 9.00 - 16. |
| Brakes | Mechanical, drums. |
| Suspension | Leaf Spring |
| Speed (road) | 70 kph on road |
| Range | Fuel Tank 104 litres (23 gallons). |
| Production | |
Additional: The vehicle was identified both as "Ford" and "Fordson", the latter being the name generally used for the Company's commercial vehicles.
The WOT 1-3 in action
