Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

rifle cups 2.jpg rifle cups 5.jpg rifle cups 4.jpg rifle cups 1.jpg
The wooden cups that hold the rifle butt in place are finally in my hands. The
No. 1 Lee Enfield fits perfectly, but No. 5 'Jungle Carbine' is slightly too wide to take the metal loop that carry strap is attached to.
rifle cups 3.jpg
The Gentleman who made these (Tony) will make more, at $25 AUD each. They would be virtually identical to these, allowing for individual differences between grain of timber of course. If interested, let me know. He does have a computer at home but only his Wife uses this and she is away until end of this month. Beyond that date it would be easy to gain permission to email the Wife and have her pass information or orders to Tony.

[cliff]

that looks good Tony but you got to paint them army green mate

Just goes to show just what talented folk live in country towns. You know people like you, me, Lloyd (#12FGT) and the fellow that made those butt holders along with several hundred more plus.

[Private_collector]

Cliff,

No, I won't paint these yet.

'Yet' may be subject to change..........or permanent.

I will attach them as is, for now. Too much work went into getting them looking nice. Seriously I can't bring myself to cover with paint!

[cliff]

The trouble with our climate Tony is eventually they will split as the heat dries them out. So no matter how good they look now they will wear quick. Soaking them in a good timber preservative as used on your rifle butt will keep them looking better longer.

But it is your truck Tony and if you wanna paint it any color but green you may do so. I was pulling your chain in a gentle way as I too think they are too good to paint....just yet anyway!

[Private_collector]

Cliff,

Thats cool! Don't worry.

They are already sealed with a matt clear. That should protect OK.

I also suspect (but forgot to ask) that they are already seasoned / dried.

[Bob Carriere]

.... have you considered using them as candy dishes....?

You have to see a NOS model.... roughly made of readily available Canadian hard wood.... maple...ash.....even suspect pine..... and quickly painted OD. These were made by many local wood shops under contract and the quality, finish, manufacturing techiques and dimensions would vary greatly

I have seen 60 year old ++ examples in the back of cabs that were still in one piece.....dirty...moldy but still intact. I beleive a lot has to do with the orientation of the growth rings and slow tight growth ( higher quality wood) versus quick thick growth rings of poorer quality wood.

By the way what kind of exotic wood did he use....?

Bob

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by cliff

but it is your truck Tony and if you wanna paint it any color but green you may do so. I was pulling your chain in a gentle way as I too think they are too good to paint....just yet anyway!

You will see they match perfectly to the wooden dash and door cappings Tony will eventually fit ...

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

You will see they match perfectly to the wooden dash and door cappings Tony will eventually fit ...

Perhaps Tony can wear clogs to drive it too.

[Private_collector]

I didn't think of a wooden dash. That would be nice.
Perhaps in burl walnut!

I have worn clogs......once, when in Amsterdam. I was gonna buy a pair but couldn't get a wallet to match.

As for the timber used for rifle cups, you know I didn't think to ask. I was really quite overwhelmed by the craftsmanship and it slipped my mind. I have asked the fellow to call in here and have a look at the CMP for himself, which he assures me he will do in near future. I will be sure to ask about the timber when I see him then. In some ways I wish he hadn't done such a good job of the cups, and I would have no issue with painting them. Give me a few weeks to get used to the idea and they will no doubt turn green, but I just can't do it now. It would seem a little disrespectful to hide all the beauty and effort that made em. Maybe I could 'accidentally' knock one, causing a blemish I would have to hide. Naaah!

I remember when I was first told that the Chevs had a wooden steering wheel and Fords didn't, I was disappointed. The wood steering wheels look great, if restored well. I will have to make do with having the bland old plastic one tarted up. Come to think of it...............what the hell is it made of? I really don't know.

I'm hoping to get sufficient materials to make two new side curtain frames, tomorrow. If the passenger door is on this weekend as planned, and I have the frames made and checked for fit, I will take them to auto upholsterers next week and give the 'go ahead' for work to begin. It will be a milestone to have them on the newly restored doors.

This weekend I am going to see a 'free' trailer with a usable axle and wheels. If suitable, I can proceed with removing both front & rear ends, in readyness for sandblasting. Transfer case will come off prior too. If the side curtain manufacture starts soon, I will wait a while for chassis work, on financial grounds. The 'kitty' is getting a little light.