PGO 2 appears in GPO official records as a Radio Investigation van, although these same records show that it was not part of a batch of J-types bought with this use in mind.

The photographs show that it was indeed a one-off coachbuilt J-type built on a ‘chassis with assembled front end complete with windshield and quarter lights’. The bodywork closely follows the shape of a standard steel-bodied J-type, and may well be entirely of wood construction (which was a perfectly commonplace method used widely by manufacturers and coachbuilders of the period) with a fabric covering to the roof. A wooden body could indicate an attempt to provide a covert investigation facility. The choice of an internal aerial, and there seems to be no provision for anything linking to an external aerial in the photograph of the interior, would preclude the use of a standard steel-bodied van, the metal panels of which would create a ‘Faraday’s Cage’ effect where much of the radio signal would be attenuated.

Two opening rooflights allowed ventilation within the sparely equipped body, which has no access to or from the cab area.  To standard GPO specifications are the rubber wings (the exterior shot showing how shiny and well-finished these items were when brand new) and two windscreen wipers.

This van was given the serial number 17110 and was later re-registered 461 DJJ. No subsequent history is known.

I doubt whether we will find out more as to why this remained as a one-off, or how and why the decision was made to follow the route whereby the subsequent R. I. Vans positively bristled with external aerials.

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