“Bringing a Blitz back to life”
 

https://news.defence.gov.au/service/...litz-back-life

Attachment 129756

Hopefully, they'll get around to restoring a Dodge Blitz, too! Not many of them still in existence! :doh:

Round front bumper ends... Australian upgrade? :confused

Registration number??
 

Wonder where they got the registration number from ... it is not within any RAAF registration number range, and the Army number was a 7 ton International semi-trailer.

The least they could have done is apply a registration actually used on an RAAF CMP.

Nice looking cab. Post-war colour.

Mike

Front bumper
 

Mariano,

As far as I know, rounded ends were not an RAAF or Aust modification, nor the single, centrally and horizontally-mounted towing eye.

Mike

From what I've seen, it doesn't take much to bend a CMP bumper outboard of the frame rails, perhaps they're better when pulled between the frame rails. Pulling in line with the frame rails (as on most CMP with two tow eyes) would definitely be better for the truck.

Are those late pattern hubs on early pattern axels, or are shadows changing things under the truck?

David

Ford/Chev radiator brush guard
 

Is that a Chev CMP radiator brush guard on a Ford? Or did Ford use Chev types sometimes? Fords I always thought were mounted behind bumper and Chev in front.

There were variations on the Ford Brush guard...some were in front and some were behind. But this may be a case where they misplaced the spacer blocks behind the bumper. It does not appear to be the split spring chev guard.

The clips holding the leaves (leafs?) of the brush guard together at mid-height are also not a standard Chevrolet feature.

Ford/Chev radiator brush guards
 

Thanks Grant and Rob,

Now that I had a closer look I see what you mean. Looks like the locating pin is between the bolt holes on the lower part of the springs. Fords were not drilled there if they had the spacer blocks so I am guessing as Rob said the spacers were missing so they were attached that way. Hope they had good sharp drills going through the spring steel.

Cheers,

Heat them red and let them cool. That would take the temper out of the area you want to drill. Then heat them red (not white) and quench in oil to re-temper them. Not saying that is what they did, but it is what I would do.

Note the overhang of the top bar left and right. More support that they modified the Ford brush guard, narrowed and drilled it, then bolted it to the front bumper.

Ford CMP radiator brush guard
 

Rob,

There is a bit of overhang at the top of a Ford brush guard.
Looks similar spacing as mine. Although if the top pipe is not original and a different length then it could be different. I see both pipes have a hole drilled facing forward on the left side however. Don't know what it is for.

Based on position of the centre of my shackles (Where they are drilled) I don't think it is too far out.

Cheers,

Turns out that Blitz serial number 19012 was originally a Derrick crane truck:

"Image caption: Blitz truck 19012 prior to being restored by RAAF History and Heritage’s Restoration Support Section."
Attachment 130280
Source: Royal Australian Air Force.

Sacriledge!
 

So they took a rare Australian derrick truck used by both the Army and RAAF, and 'restored' it as a GS truck ... wonder what they did with the derrick crane?

Their truck I suppose, but seems a terrible shame to have taken that path.

Mike

Restoration
 

Typical amateur restoration, take something rare and screw it up under the guise of history and heritage.

"RAAF History and Heritage"
 

This "news" has done the rounds.

Was on Chev and Ford Blitzes in Australia FB page this week.

I made similar comments to Mike on that forum.
RAAF History and Heritage was a not taken seriously in this case.

Cheers,