Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Still waiting on a decision from a friend, regarding correct CMP dash switches. In the meantime, and working on worst case scenario, and I have ordered modern toggle switches from local supplier. Simple 'bat' handle ones. They will do until correct ones are obtained. I went to the local Dick Smith electronics store, and after I searched the store I was told they don't "do electronics parts" any more. Whats happening to the world when DS Elecs stop selling resistors, diodes, switches and a whole heap of other stuff I don't know how to spell? Come back Dick, all's forgiven!!!

Anyhow.....the Ford F15 parts manual arrived yesterday. Bloody good read though it smells like once owned by a chain-smoker. Small price to pay.

A new starter switch was ordered and arrived earlier in the week. It is a much thinner construction and ever so slightly larger in the body in comparisn to the original. I'm not too impressed with the feel of button when pushed either, so it won't be used. I'll keep looking for a NOS one.

A keyed ignition switch has been ordered from USA. It's sole purpose is to allow power to be switched on/off, to give piece of mind and greater security.
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On Sunday I made this wheeled (castored) frame to put the cab base on. The blasting has been on hold while we were experiencing the recent wet weather. Cab base and floor panels should be ready for me this Saturday. I hope to get it under paint on Sunday, all going well. Will need to do some bumping to both wheel arches first, to level several very small dents made from the inside. Possibly ill treatment from some farmer in last 50+ years, but I prefer to think they are caused by the hob nails & steel plates from a soldiers boot!

The cab 'dolly' will have two rails placed on the little cradles at top of the uprights. Cab base will sit on these rails while I work on it & assemble cab back, doors, dash, windscreen frame and nose panel, etc... When ready, it will be hoisted onto chassis as one piece, using the rails as lifting points.

I have had some success with refining a method of having dash switch plates which are both truck color and have black highlight detail in the appropriate areas. It's lucky I have a second 'bad' large plate to play with and get this right. This is still a work in progress. The photo shows a trial of primer with black over. Primer being the substitute 'green' color, of course. I wanted to see what the black areas would look like if surrounds sanded, and also how the whole thing would look if I wanted to sand right back to brass with just the black detail. It's not a pretty picture, but is only for experimentation purposes. Will be stripped with thinners & done again in the true method.