WW2 RAF Vehicle Details

We are working hard stripping down our 1944 Commer Q2 delivered under an RAF contract.

Today we found some letters/numbers stencilled inside the cab above the gun rack and were wondering what they may mean?

They are properly stencilled, not freehand and are in white they are:

WMB 1W

Any ideas?

 

Very difficult to make out in a photo, the letters are around 3" high.

 

Nothing jumps out - AP3090 Aug 1944 Ist Edition RAF Mechanical Transport Regulations

The only item detailed for identification internally is Passenger/Load (and for completeness - a Jib warning if one fitted - but not relevant in your case)

194. Carrying Capacity - Passengers
.....
Van 15 cwt
Commer Q2 4 x 2, 2 in cab including driver,11 in body including driver if no cab, 13 total passenger capacity of vehicle
....
(iii) The maximum carrying capacity is to be clearly painted both inside the drivers cab and inside the vehicle before any vehicle is to be used for live loads.

Command/Group and Wing Letters and Bridge Class are listed as external only

Ross

 

Would 'WMB' be an abbreviation used elsewhere in the RAF not specifically with vehicles?

 

Partly as in the unusual combination of Group Letters - but nothing that would be a stencil in the cab.

Group Codes are usually on Letter then Group/Wing Number
W - Works Directorate
M - Maintenance Command
B - Bomber Group

I have never seen 3 Allocated formations on the same plate.

Display of Group Code is painted on wing above roundel to be visible from front by Traffic Control and on Rear body/extreme edge.

Ross

 

The truck was used by the RAF in Northern France in late 1944 and is believed to have been used at the advanced landing ground B37 Corroy-Tours en Vimeu. She was sold off and continued to be used in this area after the war.

 

2nd TAF code was TAF - No imagination on part of Air Ministry!

Contractors were X

Allied Expeditionary Air Force was AEAF

RAF Component of Supreme Headquarters was SHAEF

The catch all for "none of the above" was L which included ATA and Colonel Turner's Department

Stencil B could if squinted at be 13 but again no valid formation abbreviation just the vague link to passenger load.

Ross

 

Thanks Ross.