Frankydobo:
Those war time pattern Bedfords were certainly bought in many numbers after the war along with the heavier makes which would be used for heavy haulage and recovery. The civilian market had suffered during the war years as you would expect as most production had been adjusted to turning out military requirements, ammunition, buttons and buckles etc, as well as vehicles. So after the war many firms that had operated before 1939 bought these vehicles as they were cheaper and it gave the many ex forces drivers a chance to start up hoping to make a living in transport as some did. The well known O Series had just came out before the war and it was modified to enable cheap manufacture of the bonnet and wings from flat panels for quick and easy replacement but mainly to cut down production cost and metal which rapidly became in short supply during and for a spell after the war. The ‘Bull Nose’ Bedford as the O series was more commonly known eventually became the more often seen type but the ex forces flat front Bedford still served for many years in its new civilian role. Bedford then and previous to the war made a ■■■■ good reliable and economical vehicle that could be used in many forms as the pics above show. Below is a Bedford sales poster from the time. Cheers Franky.
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Hello Franky, did the British Army ever use the “O” series during the war? I’ve only ever seen “OW” series in WW2 films. Cheers Haddy.