Sunday morning's calm was interrupted by the sound of an air wrench as I followed Bob's lead and swapped the winter tires for the usual all season tires. I expect snow this week...
After that task, I started to set up a new shelter for the storage of the Prototype. Grant arrived on the scene as I was putting together the skeleton frame of the shelter. Guy arrived shortly thereafter. Both were press ganged into shelter duties. The outer skin was put on and secured to the frame.
Right on cue, Bob made his way slowly to the barn. It seems our chum isn't feeling just right these days. But that did not stop him from standing in and walk-marching the shelter over the Prototype. After nailing together some footing boards, Bob and Grant bent up some rebar as anchors. Four lengths were heated near the tip and bent over forming a hook at the end. These were set into the ground and tied off to the shelter frame. It should hold -eventhough this is a temporary location, these shelters tend to take flight if not properly secured. Seems to me sightings of a flying shelter were made near Kars recently...
I of course took some photos to commemorate this event, and Grant came upon the realization, that while I was taking the photos, the subjects of the photos were doing work...busted! Arguments about recording the history of the barn were met with the expected replies...Guy laughed it up a bit then left to help some other deserving souls.
After a lunch in Hammond, Bob took a siesta. Grant and I restocked the inside wood supply and then we worked on the Prototype - and gave thanks that the mosquitoes have yet to make their bloody appearances. I decided that I would like to see what damage was inflicted on the roof by mother nature. Both the front small and rear large sliding hatches were gummed shut with more than a lot of tar. The front hatch cover came away without too much of fight and I was pleasantly surprised of the good shape it was in.
The rear hatch opening hardware was rusted into place and would not rotate. So, we soaked it with penetrating fluid and will wait until it does its magic. Initial assessment - the roof has to come off and it seems that it should, being bolted to the upper vertical panels. There are a lot of rust holes along the front edge and along the rain channels. It may take a lot of time and spot welding to replace the rotted away metal, but it will be worth the effort.
Grant gave the interior a blast with the air hose and I think the Prototype lost about 25 pounds...We decided to let the dust settle and have a go at the truck next week. Thanks for the help Grant, Guy and Bob. It was appreciated.