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  #1  
Old 25-10-12, 02:40
rob love rob love is offline
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As I recall, when the drivers took their 5 tons over to supply to turn them in, they parked the trucks out back and had to bring the control panels in to the R&D guys. I think all those trucks went to Cold Lake for targets. Most of them were 1976 vintage, so likely would not have had the radium gauges anyway unless some old stock turned up.

Back in the 90s, I helped set up an outdoor museum display at the Moose Jaw armouries. A few years after I left that province, the geiger counter guys went through and if the alarm read any amount of radioactivity from any one of the guages, they undid the four screws on the control panel and ripped the whole thing out.
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  #2  
Old 25-10-12, 05:08
Harry Moon Harry Moon is offline
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Default Radiation at the border

My CMP set off the radiation detectors at the border a couple of times. Kind of an interesting exercise for them. My speedometer and oil pressure gauge are the only original ones and while they don't even glow after holding a flashlight on them they still set off the detectors. I'm actually quite happy that they can pick up that minute amount.
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  #3  
Old 25-10-12, 06:21
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Those guys should go to Russia. I had a talk with an oilfield worker who worked over there and he told about a glass-like patch of ground they crossed. Oh, that's just where we put out a well fire with a tactical nuke! Nobody even considered that there might be a radiation problem! I told him to get a personal radiation detector and carry it at all times.
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1940 Cab 11 C8 cab and chassis
1940 Cab 11 C15 with 2A1 & Motley mount & Lewis gun
1940 Cab 11 F15A w/ Chev rear ends
1941 Cab 12 F15A
1942-44 Cab 13 F15A x 5
1942 cab 13 F15A with 2B1 box
1943 cab 13 F15A with 2H1 box
1943 Cab 13 C8A HUP
1944 Cab 13 C15A with 2C1 box
1943 Cletrac M2 High Speed Tractor
MkII Bren gun carrier chassis x 2
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  #4  
Old 25-10-12, 16:04
Eric B Eric B is offline
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Default radioactive gauges

A few years back i borrowed a radiation detector and tested various vehicles and gauges that i had access to.

The 19 set on/off switch (glow in the dark removable cap) and the 1953 M38, 1953 M38A1 Convoy light switch cap had the highest readings while the needles on the original MB gauges were also high. These were very localized and the readings dropped drastically when the detector was moved farther away.

The 1967 M38A1 and 1974 M151A2 gauges did not pick up any substantial radiation.

The original WW2 gauges did have radioactive readings, higher than personal limits permitted.

The reproduction gauges had no readings.

If the gauges are off white, closer to a cream colour, thicker than normal, cracking, flat finish, then there is a good chance that it is original and is radioactive. Do not take these apart to rebuild.

I have talked to US Border Patrol Supervisors and they suggested that we notify them in advance if we plan on taking a MV across the border, which might have radioactive gauges. So that when the sensor alarms go off they have an idea of what it is.

The article was published in CMP #42 2007.

Thanks

Eric
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  #5  
Old 26-10-12, 01:52
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chris vickery chris vickery is offline
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Opening up a can of worms, great is all I can say. Just a nail in the coffin to yet another nice hobby we all enjoy...
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1968 M274A5 Mule Baifield USMC
1966 M274A2 Mule BMY USMC
1966 M274A2 Mule BMY USMC
1958 M274 Mule Willys US Army
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715 1 CSR
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer
1983 M1009 CUCV
1957 Triumph TRW 500cc

RT-524, PRC-77s,
and trucks and stuff and more stuff and and.......

OMVA, MVPA, G503, Steel Soldiers
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  #6  
Old 26-10-12, 09:05
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Hanno Spoelstra Hanno Spoelstra is offline
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All, well done bringing this to our attention. Again, an example of the wealth of knowledge and experience available on MLU!

If you believe it or not, this is part of our hobby and we have to take care of it. Thanks to those concerned for bringing this to our attention.

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris vickery View Post
Opening up a can of worms, great is all I can say. Just a nail in the coffin to yet another nice hobby we all enjoy...
Sure Chris, stick your head into the ground like an ostrich. I'm sure no-one will find out, even though the radiation experts know the risks and the governing bodies have policies in place to protect you from the dangers of radiation.

I'd like to second what Lynn said on the thread close up picture of Mk1 Speedometer required:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn Eades View Post
I have to thank you for the efforts you have made to to bring this risk to the public attention.
I realise you needed to ask all the questions to satisfy your own worries, but you didn't have to make it public. We appreciate the fact that you have given us the warning.
I have to wonder how many of us have already had exposure to some degree, as children, playing with old surplus aircraft instruments and the like.
Your concern for the rest of us, means that we can now make an informed choice on how we go forward.
I am sure that you will have changed someones life for the better.
Life is fragile
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  #7  
Old 26-10-12, 12:05
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Good show Rick, nice to know folk are looking into this..... Rob, its also interesting to note different organisations treat the issue ith different approaches, this echo'd in the initial thread between Medical and Industrial companies...... problem is that not enough is known YET but hopefully with raised awareness folk can take steps to protect themselves and familie's or know what steps to take if they need a gauge removed etc etc
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  #8  
Old 27-10-12, 16:52
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chris vickery chris vickery is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra View Post
Sure Chris, stick your head into the ground like an ostrich. I'm sure no-one will find out, even though the radiation experts know the risks and the governing bodies have policies in place to protect you from the dangers of radiation.
Hanno, I agree that we should be safe and be informed etc but I do not think this is a case of sticking my head in the sand as you point out.
This topic has been covered in the past on MLU as well as in various MV publications, I believe that hobbyists have knowledge of the situation.
Pointing out the obvious and drawing attention to the hobby IS counter-productive. Involvement of Government in our hobby is also detrimental.
All it will take is a motion to outlaw or ban publicly owned military vehicles because of the "dangerous nature" they pose to the greater good of our society.
If you do not believe there are already motions afoot to do such things, then you my friend are the one who has his head in the sand.
Personally, I am a purist when doing a restoration. I like my original equipment. Should those in power decide for us that it is in everyones best interest to ban, destroy or outlaw this part of MV equipment, WE are forced to use civilian parts. I can see this happening as was pointed out in a previous post when the Government pulled dash boards before auction.
Perhaps the military nature of these vehicles will also be brought forward as they become deemed "threatening to the public". I can see some bureaucrat deciding whats best as well and having US paint them in bright colours to differentiate publicly owned MVs from real in service equipment. Personally, I do not want a red army truck nor a yellow one. If I did, I would collect fire trucks but then again I can see someone thinking that WE should not be able to own those either.
We are aware of lead paint, radioactive gauges etc. In industry, the control measures to eliminate such things are a never ending stream of redtape, paper, documentation and government inspection and control, not to mention the tremendous costs. Metal refinishing is already under the microscope because of lead, remediation, control and disposal of waste being looked at. It could get to a point where even sandblasting becomes cost prohibitive to the average hobbyists. Imagine having to pay for HAZMAT disposal for your luminous gauages as well? Or maybe having to aquire special licensing to own, use, transport, buy, sell, trade etc your MV or to even work on it with special training and tools?
I have been through all this crap before in the gun collecting hobby with those in power deciding whats in the best interest of the public with zero to little knowledge of facts, smoke screening the public from real issues (such as crime, drugs etc) and blaming law abiding people for their lack of control and responsiblity. I digress.
In the best interest of OUR hobby I believe in letting sleeping dogs lay, instead promote positive aspects to Officials instead of the negative and possibly detrimental ones which may bite US in the END.
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3RD Echelon Wksp

1968 M274A5 Mule Baifield USMC
1966 M274A2 Mule BMY USMC
1966 M274A2 Mule BMY USMC
1958 M274 Mule Willys US Army
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715 1 CSR
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer
1983 M1009 CUCV
1957 Triumph TRW 500cc

RT-524, PRC-77s,
and trucks and stuff and more stuff and and.......

OMVA, MVPA, G503, Steel Soldiers

Last edited by chris vickery; 27-10-12 at 17:05. Reason: spelling
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