Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Orpin
No,No,No ! Let us not forget that these and countless other vehicles produced for WW2, were manufactured for one job and one job only - to win the war. By smoothing away welds, and filling in spot welds, you are removing it's originality, character and detail. Personally, I love to see a vehicle that shows it's spot welds and original welds, that to me shows that who ever restored it, is dedicated to presenting it as it would have been manufactured. To be honest, I reckon the paint jobs we do are probably far better than were originally applied
That's my two penneth worth !
Regards
Keith
P.S. I know you would'nt smooth out original welds, or fill in spot welds, would you Phil ?
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The war time manufacturing processes were designed to make these vehicles to last a year or two at most and speed was the essence to produce them...get them to the places they were needed as soon as possible..Time and money was short so extra time and money steps were eliminated..no better example can be scene today than to look at the war time manufactured Russian military equipment ..casting marks ..welds..gas torch cuts..all unfinished..just sand blasted..maybe not..and painted..That was one of the very first things I noticed when I saw my first T 34/76..It left me with the life long picture in my mind of war time speed of production..and some of these vehicles ,as far as I am concerned should be left exactly as manufactured when restoration is complete..It tells the wartime struggle with time ..material..labour and money..
Some of these manufacturing flaws are still seen today ..Take a look at a Russian built Belarus tractor the next chance you get..the welding spatters are painted right over with no attempt to smooth..fill ..or hide any seams or joints..the tractor engine is the same V12 Diesel engine used in their T series tanks..waste not..want not...