Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Gentlemen,

I have been intending to put a 6 digit serial number on the doors of my truck, and spoke with a sign writing place this afternoon, regarding creation of a stencil 'mask' I can apply, through which to spray the numbers onto the doors & snoz! The mask would then be removed entirely, leaving only the number.

The number I want to use has absolutely nothing to do with being correct for the vehicle (or any other). It is actually my Fathers Military service number. I am even considering adding the "Q" in front of the number, making it match his number exactly.

When I have been looking for placing, size and font of others vehicles, I have noticed some unusual things, as follows.

The vast majority of CMPs I have seen with door numbers are Canadian. Is this a coincidence? I have seen many varieties of font used, and my preference is for a stencil type, similar to that which was used on crates etc., but I have seen some which are solid numbers in a range of styles. I don't know which would be more accurate for the period?

And finally, I have seen trucks with the same numbers on one or both sides of the nose panel. Even ones with the numbers applied vertically instead of across. Is there a 'correct' method?

I will also be applying a division TAC sign on passenger side of nose, once I find out exactly which division the 29/46 Inf Btn was attached to while in New Guinea. It was a Victorian Btn I believe.

Can any of you good folks offer any insight into these queries????

[Mike K]

The NZ C8AX's always had the number on the doors ..........MIKE

[cliff]

Have sent you an email concerning this Tony.

and yes your suspicions are correct I can help with most if not all your queries.

[cliff]

As this thread is posted to on a regular basis I have stickyed it. Yell at me if you mind

[cliff]

29/46th Battalion (East Melbourne Regiment/ Brighton Rifles)
29/46th Battalion (East Melbourne Regiment/ Brighton Rifles)
After the First World War the defence of the Australian mainland lay with the part-time soldiers of the Citizens Military Force (CMF), also known as the Militia. The Militia was organized to maintain the structure of the First AIF and kept the same numerical designations. The Militia units were distributed in the same areas the original AIF units were raised. Thus Melbourne’s 29th Infantry Battalion was the “East Melbourne Regiment”, while the 46th Infantry Battalion was the “Brighton Rifles”. Both battalions were raised in 1921. In 1930 the 29th was linked with the 22nd Infantry Battalion, forming the 29th/22nd. Although it was separated several years later, the 29th and 22nd maintained a close history, as both battalions and the 46th were part of the 4th Brigade and served together during the Second World War.

When the war started in September 1939, the 29th and the 46th held numerous training camps. However, with Japan’s entry into the conflict and a run of victories in South East Asia and the Pacific, the battalions’ training intensified and in March 1942 the 4th Brigade was sent to Queensland. In August the 29th merged with the 46th, thus forming the 29th/46th Infantry Battalion. The 4th Brigade, composed of the 29th/46th, 22nd, and 37th, spent just under a year in Queensland, first at Warwick and then Caloundra, Mount Gravatt, and in mid-September in the Maroochydore-Mooloolaba area.

In March 1943 the 4th Brigade was transferred to Milne Bay in Papua and spent the next 16 months in the islands. While at Milne Bay the 29th/46th carried out intensive jungle training, conducted patrols, and was used as a source of labour for work parties. In March the 4th Brigade joined the 5th Division. But it was with the 9th Division that the brigade would go into action, returning to the 5th Division later in the war.

In September the 29th/46th and the rest of the 4th Brigade left Milne Bay for Lae in New Guinea. Moving by landing craft, the brigade was to protect Red Beach and support the 9th Division during the Huon Peninsula campaign. The 4th Brigade saw extensive service in New Guinea. After patrolling the rugged country behind Sattelberg, from December to April 1944, the 4th Brigade followed the coast from Gusika to Lakona and the 29th/46th captured Fortification Point. Between April and August the brigade garrisoned the Madang area and carried out numerous patrols.

In September the 29th/46th returned to Australia and, after some leave, regrouped at Strathpine in Queensland for further training. However its stay in Australia was brief and the brigade returned to the islands in January 1945, this time to New Britain.

Rather than carry out a major offensive against the Japanese, the much smaller Australian force used active patrolling to confine the Japanese to Rabaul and the Gazelle Peninsula. The 5th Division’s two other brigades, the 6th and 13th, were the first to arrive on New Britain, in November. During the campaign, the 6th Brigade carried out most of the Australian advance, establishing the line across the Gazelle Peninsula. The 4th Brigade arrived at Wunung Bay, on the southern shore of Jacquinot Bay, where it was based for the next 12 months. The Japanese threat to the area was minimal and the 29th/46th spent most of the time training, as well as patrolling.

Following Japan’s surrender, the 4th Brigade moved into Rabaul, as part of the occupation force, in September. With the war over, the ranks of the 29th/46th gradually thinned, as men were discharged or transferred. By March 1946 most members of the battalion, who had sailed to New Britain in the previous year, were discharged or awaiting discharge in Australia. In June 1946 the 29th/46th Battalion was disbanded.

http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11313.asp

[Private_collector]

Don't mind at all Cliff.

Makes it easier for me to find possibly

Guess the graphic will be the platypus & boomerang then!!!!

[cliff]

The formation sign would be the 9th division platapus over a boomerang on a black base as they operated in NG under the 9th division. will work on the unit sign tomorrow. Below is the vehicle layout of the markings of Aussie vehicles

[Private_collector]

The floor plate bolts, originally stated to be 'unavailable' have now arrived from Statewide Fasteners & Engineering Supplies in Brisbane.

statewidefastener.com.au

70 cost a whole $8.72c
Postage was $9.00c

Hmmmmmm!

I also ordered 70 nuts to suit. These they failed to send but they are in the invoice. Email has already ben sent.

Has anyone else ever had the thought their CMP (or other) project must be posessed or carries a curse? There seems to be runs of bad luck to weather until smooth sailing returns.