The full title of this version was ‘Area Planning and General Purpose Vehicle, Type 1 (Morris). It was designed for “duties requiring transport for three to six men (including the driver)”, a mobile field office, or “transport for a cable fault localisation duty for which the provision of a test van is not warranted”.

A passenger seat was provided, as well as seats for a further four men along the sides of the body section, split three on the near-side and one on the off-side. These seats could fold back and be secured by leather ties, to improve load space and to allow access to lockers underneath. Also mounted on the off-side within the body of the van was a drop flap type table unit, for the laying out of plans, using light test gear and for writing. The table unit incorporated a pencil groove, as well as deep map pockets and partitioned compartments for forms and instructions. A light was fitted above the table.

As with the Utility, a folding writing table was mounted above the engine cover, which could be raised when access to the engine was required. Vehicle tools were carried in a padlocked compartment adjacent to the battery compartment.

Within the body, a three-section ladder could be carried on the floor of the vehicle, the forward end of the ladder being tucked under the driver’s seat. Bulky items of test gear or apparatus could be carried, requiring the folding back of the seats and the lowering of the table top.

Again, fixing holes for a standard pin-type towing clevis were provided, and, as with the Stores van and Utility, accompanied by the proviso regarding authorisation by the Area Engineer, and for trailer tool-cart towing only.

GPO layout drawing for a J-type Planning Van

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