Austin Champ Descriptions FFW / FFR. What are the differences? by John Mastrangelo

FFW: basic champ as manufactured. Contains two speed generator and regulator box, radio junction box and lead from regulator box. Extra battery cables to radio batteries under driver's seat. Battery trays and clamps are different from cargo. lead from distribution box to regulator is longer. Batteries and connectors are different to cargo. It can be fitted with any pre-Larkspur radio, in a "Local Modification", ie: "Make it work, how we don't care !" A cargo Champ [See on left photo] could also carry a pre-Larkspur set, but could not charge it's own radio batteries. This is the ONLY difference from Cargo to FFW.

This a FFR Champ, notice the runners, batteries under the radio

FFR: This can only be a FFW, no Cargo can be FFR. The modifications by REME were carried out to enable ANY Larkspur set to be used from ANY other vehicle without further modifications. New Range Radio sets were introduced in 1955/56, these are the Larkspur sets.

The modifications were:

[a] Drilling the top of front wings and reinforcement plates fitted to enable the ATUs to be carried if required.

[b] Drilling of dash shelf in front of passenger to enable "C" box to be fitted. This is for microphones.

[c] Drilling of rear n/s inner wheel arch for the fitting of junction box and cables to enable extra batteries to be connected. These were required for Larkspur.

[d] Removal of rear [Winch well] cover and fitting of battery carrier behind rear seat.

[e] Removal of rear seat backrest and replacement with wooden board, hinged.

[f] Removal of the two rear rifle clips to enable the fitting of radio Table runners to top of wheel arches.

[g] Fitting of standard Radio Table to runners.

[h] Drilling of side of body [external] to enable cable from ATU [Aerial Tuning Unit] on front wing to be clamped to body. In between the front and rear wheel arches a protective channel is also fitted to prevent damage to cable by people getting in and out of Champ.

This is good view of a FFR Champ. Notice the ATU on the wing, the cable running alongside the body, the lack of rear seat backrest [compare with 62 Set] the lack of rear rifle clips and the aerial storing tube. The table runners are longer on a Champ because the table needs to be pulled forward to gain access to batteries.

This is a WWII No 19 Set used with a Larkspur C 45. This is typical of the period of change over from 1955 to 1960. The Champ is FFR, notice the rear wooden rear seat backrest.
This is BAOR 1957. 2nd Royal Horse Artillery, 11th Armoured Division.

The FFW Champs has 3 sets mounted. In the back are a 19 set and a "Man-Pack", and in between the seats is a second No 19 set [see photo].

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