[Tboss]

Hello Gord:
Again, Many thanks for the second post. You have to understand that I assumed that the armour production in Canada was better documented than, say to compare, steam locomotive or street railway production. I have read many articles over the decades about steam locomotive technology and production. Even today new material, or more detailed material is published about early locomotive and waggon manufacturers. Now, I attended the local high school closest to the Russel Factory. Not a single pedagogue even peeped that the factory still in existence was the Russell factory or, let alone, what it produced. In fact, can anybody prove that any curriculum documented canadian armour production in Canada in WW1? Older citizens were the source of info for me. While I had the pleasure of viewing their old photographs, it did not occur to me that the armoured vehicles zooming around South Parkdale in their images were, in documented fact, armoured cars of international mystery. At that time I could easily have acted. I was trained in photography and worked at a custom photography lab. Now this neighbourhood is the lowest home-owner occupied neighbourhood in all of Ontario. Between death and killer (city) planners, the concept of homeowners (especially the old veterans) has exponentially vanished in South Parkdale. Who knows where these homeowners and their family photo collections have vanished. Anyway Gord, I believe I can still track down some images. But it will be in a matter of months. The plasticity of form of the Jeffrey image that you graciously attached is not that of the armoured vehicles that I viewed. (Gord, is this early Alzheimers?) Perhaps Russell produced prototypes that were running about the British (Canadian) Stanley Barracks Fort but never formally or legally accepted/purchased. I met an European Engineer who once produced Eagle Highway coaches over there. Over here, he talked buses as fast as he produced them out in MIssissauga. Why not this guy Russell. As a newly minted Major out to make an innovative military reputation, Russell could have produced or rebuilt armoured cars in his factory as his fancy took him. Especially during the summer CNE, the new fangled popular cameras could easily have captured Russell armoured cars on film. These were with fully-armoured body and with a full turret. They did not have an open, seating concept like a hummer or willys. Any tips for me as to where in Toronto any of your three references can be borrowed, purchased or viewed. Is there a vehicle specialist out there in any of the public-purse museums? Anyone worth contacting? Gord, What is the earliest date that a Russell was actually documented as existing? Gord, I never got any positive buzz that an armoured Russell of any condition is still in existence out there!! Perhaps, an old stable or garage in Toronto or India retains a........ . . .
Thanks Gord.
Ross