Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

No matter I can't paint today. I have other things to turn to, including adding footman loops to the front of my fake gun shield, and cutting some of the holes needed. I made the sight apeture sliding door many weeks ago, but only now getting around to making the hole in the shield it covers. I still have to attach a couple of pieces of angle before I attempt cutting the barrel aperture.

Hi Tony,

I have gone back and re-read many of you posts but have not been able to locate the details of you FAKE GUN PROJECT. What is it or what number thread should I have gone too.

Keep up the great work and running commentary.

Regards Rick.

[Private_collector]

Hi Rick,

Probably only mentioned it in passing. Just wanted something to drag behind the truck when it's finished. Some aspects are similar in appearance to 25 pdr, but only to a glance. Have always liked those guns as my very favourite, so I had a natural attraction to that style.
dsc_0672-resized-960.jpg dsc_0702-resized-960.jpg dsc_0121-resized-960.jpg
Most things will be made from scratch, including the trails. They will be taken to my welding friend, for him to attach steel plate onto both sides of each leg. The barrel consists of sections from a light pole. Breech block I made myself, and the handle (to be shortened) does open and close the loading mechanism. The oil can holder I threw together over a couple of weekends, after I found a reasonably acceptable can at the local swap. As you can see, nothing is spot-on, but it'll do.
dsc_0069-resized-960.jpg dsc_0103-resized-960.jpg
When I come across genuine parts I can afford, I grab em. Always scanning ebay for anything I can use. Recent acquisitions include the telescope and tube you see above, and a genuine 25pdr seat.

A fellow MLU member took pity and sent me dimensions for the shield. A real 25pdr in a local park gets occasional visits, for me to measure other bits and pieces.

See next post..

[Private_collector]

dsc_0122-resized-960.jpg dsc_0710-resized-960.jpg breech assembly 1-resized-960.jpg breech assembly 2-resized-960.jpg
I make what I can't find or afford.
dsc_0624-resized-960.jpg
Every now and then a small but esential piece falls into my hands.

My most desirable item is the full sight mount assembly. I know of one in UK for sale, and if still available next tax return time, I'll buy it. It's an expensive item, and very heavy to ship, so I wouldn't get much change from $1000 to $1200. If not able to get it, I will make something of a very poor second, and fashion a canvas cover to hide my sins.

[Private_collector]

No rain today........, just windy. Too windy to paint.
dsc_1287-resized-960.jpg dsc_1281-resized-960.jpg
So off to Tiaro I went again, to take more photos and measurements of my local 25pr. A round trip of 50-60km is local in this country. As can be seen, this dear old gun has not escaped the notice of vandals. I was tempted to straighten the lugs that sight case straps should attach to, but feared the paint would flake off and start rust forming. Last time I visited this piece, I removed a premixed can of booze from inside muzzle. It was either half full of alcohol still, or had been 'refilled' with piddle. I didn't take a sniff.
dsc_1295-resized-960.jpg dsc_1296-resized-960.jpg
I'm always amazed that nobody has asked me what the hell I am doing when I loiter and start throwing a tape measure around the gun.
Next weekend I will cut the barrel/recoup. apeture. I will, that is, unless I'm lucky enough to paint some wheels instead.

Cliff, please read below!
On Friday I called on an old timer about 20 minutes away, to remove some sutures. I had visited him many months ago, and we got to talking about vintage vehicles. He showed me his 1940s Morris truck and I showed some photos of my green CMP (didn't have the grey one then). When I saw him last week, he indicated he recently mentioned me to another local guy who once had a sawmill, now defunct. He asked about a CMP which had been used at the sawmill, and was told it was still around and residing behind the owners house. My 'snout' asked what the guy was intending to do with the truck, seeing that it has sat insitu for a number of years. Long story short, the owner reckons it's better for someone else to have it than sit there rotting away, so it has been offered to me......for nothing! It's only about 15km away, but is a non-runner, so will have to be trailered. If it is the one I saw briefly a couple of years ago, it's an early cab type, so that's a first for me. Mrs B is NOT pleased about the thought of another carcass languishing in the back yard. To be quite honest, I would rather it sat in the FRONT yard, as a piece of art, but that proposition brought only a rather animated response in the negative. No taste, some people.

Attn. Cliff: Yes, I do believe the ahove truck is the very same one we were talking about a couple of months ago. And maybe you can drive up and have a look in my workshop soon????

[cliff]

soon Tony soon! Maybe when we go for a 15km drive and pick up MY truck!

[Private_collector]

Hello Folks!
dsc_1310~2-resized-960.jpg dsc_1309-resized-960.jpg
Bought a Graphtec vinyl sign cutter today. No more paying people to do my stencils and vehicle signage. It's not new, in fact it is nearly two decades old, but is a good quality machine. Would have been for professional use in the days of WIN98! Came with the computer system it runs on, and all the software disks (3.5"), as well as the manuals and extra font libraries.
dsc_1307~2-resized-960.jpg
Also came with a number of part rolls of vinyl film.
In the early 90s I ran a small sign and graphics printing business as a side line to my 'day job'. Perhaps you read my how to book, entitled The Underachievers Guide to Extremely Small Business!

Ah, it was simpler times then!

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Just because it's old doesn't mean it doesn't work good, just look at us.


Good find, should be fun to experiment with and a useful tool. WIN 98 my shop computer has WIN 2000 still works fine, just don't connect it to the Web or load any updates. Old computers are amazingly stable as long as they are left alone.

Look forward to seeing how it works cutting painting stencils.

Cheers Phil