1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[RichCam]

Hello Bob,

We are doing both the Cab and Radio Box in Flat Olive Drab 595-34087. We are going to decal the vehicle for Holland, Spring of 1945 as a C-15A, Cab13, Wire-5.
Detailed decal research comes via Jon Skagfeld:
Sherbrooke Fusiliers - Red Square with White 53 superimposed. Formation sign - horizontal square - divided in 3rds - Blue, Black, Blue superimposed with Gold maple leaf.
From the rear - unit sign on the left, formation sign on the right. I'm adopting the "opposite corner" rule for the front of the vehicle.
Yellow circle with bridge limit 5 on front.
Will copy and slightly modify White vehicle ID number from a Wire 5 in a previous thread.

Comments or questions welcome!
Regards, Richard.

[Bob Carriere]

Looking forward to seeing the finished product with all the markings.

I am also using the same shade of OD.

Cheers

[Alex van de Wetering]

Looking good Richard.

We are going to decal the vehicle for Holland, Spring of 1945 as a C-15A, Cab13, Wire-5.

Are you still planning to come over to Holland, next year?

Alex

[Robert Bergeron]

Great job Richard,

I see the box all primed up in white in the background begging to hop a ride on the back of the Chevy !

[RichCam]

Alex,

My mom and her sister would like to retrace their father's deployment in Holland just before your May 5th celebrations. If I'm lucky, I'd like to ship over a Mk1 carrier, in his honour. He served with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Inside the carrier, I'd bring over as many Cab 12 parts as I could reasonably fit - if it will help out with your project.

I will email you shortly.

Robert - yes, the Radio Box will be painted and mounted as soon as I get the cab/chassis certified. I can't wait to take it through the Tim Horton's drive thru!

[Alex van de Wetering]

Richard,

Now that the Market Garden remembrance is behind us, I am sure people will start thinking about the events for next year and more info will follow soon. It would be awesome to retrace your grandfathers steps with a carrier, but I am sure the Wire 5 would also do nicely

I am still very much interested in cab 11/12 parts, although I have to admit that in the meantime I did find some of the parts that we spoke about.

Alex

[RichCam]

Work is continuing to proceed on the Wire 5 restoration. Unfortunately, some of the smaller component work is tedious and can't be rushed. It is frustrating but not unexpected to have the smaller fasteners and components to be rusted and frozen in place. It is impossible to heat with a torch and put an air ratchet to them so the cab windows, side curtains and doors are taking longer than expected.
Front windows are now in with new glass. I cut a spare set for anyone that is interested. Side curtains have been rebuilt with new Lexan panels and door handle portals. Seats have been installed along with round upper hatch hip padding.
We are painting the doors this week and working on the dash. With the newer 250 engine, I have a 12V temperature and oil pressure gauge to contend with. The dash is circular gauge like the later Fords.
More updates soon, feel free to comment.

[Robert Bergeron]

Going well there Richard !!

Nice shop.

Robert

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by RichCam

Hello Bob,

We are doing both the Cab and Radio Box in Flat Olive Drab 595-34087. We are going to decal the vehicle for Holland, Spring of 1945 as a C-15A, Cab13, Wire-5.

Detailed decal research comes via Jon Skagfeld:

Sherbrooke Fusiliers - Red Square with White 53 superimposed. Formation sign - horizontal square - divided in 3rds - Blue, Black, Blue superimposed with Gold maple leaf.

From the rear - unit sign on the left, formation sign on the right. I'm adopting the "opposite corner" rule for the front of the vehicle.
Yellow circle with bridge limit 5 on front.
Will copy and slightly modify White vehicle ID number from a Wire 5 in a previous thread.

Comments or questions welcome!
Regards, Richard.

Here is a suggestion and a date to work towards. The successor of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment (ahem, not Fusiliers) is the Sherbrooke Hussars. Their 150th anniversary year is 2016. I haven't heard what the plans are for parades and functions, but guaranteed, there will be functions.

[Robert Bergeron]

I don't want to distract and highjack Rich's thread so i will be short:

Hi Bob, i get 45-50 mph on flat hard roads at max rpm. It is not a comfortable ride because of the suspension.I have added about 250-300 lbs of sandbags in the back to help cushion the ride with moderate success. Those men of WW2 were sure tough !

Hey Terry, thanks for the heads-up. I should be there with either the Wire 5 , maybe a Carrier or a GPW in period colours and markings.

[RichCam]

Hi, it has been a while since my last update but we have been hard at work on the details of this Wire 5 restoration. Jim now has installed the left and right side view mirrors, rifle butt blocks, restored to full functionality both vacuum wiper motors and wipers and has hand polished the steering wheel. I'm about 30% through installing instruments, dash lights at 12V and wiring everything together to the terminal blocks so I can get the IP installed. Then, the nose cone goes on and the truck should be set! Check out the pics!
Cheers - Richard.

[RichCam]

We have the box up on blocks which makes it a lot easier to safely access the underside as well as the topside. We have removed the upper ventilators and after 70 of sitting outside, I was surprised that the electric fan motor still worked. Ok, $200 later at the local german electricmotorgeshallshaft shop, it was fully operational. Jim and Steve have repaired the pin hole rust perforations in the wheel wells, including the spare tire holder and they have removed all of the windows. I am getting the roof access ladder rebuilt and we are removing, cleaning and rebuilding all window and door latches. Perforations of the outer box are being replaced with aluminum panels and slotted self drive screws. As authentic as some of the other original patches we hope!
I need help finding a metal roll form to replace the metal window enclosures. The window rubber seals are easy enough to get, the latches are salvageable but the lower steel roll forms have rotted away. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance - Richard.

[Bob Carriere]

Following your project with interest has Grant will be doing the same full restoration to his radio box on day.

Pray tell.....what is the... lower steell roll forms have rotted away.... any close up pictures....is this the lower part of the steel frame itself that is composed of one piece of sheet metal that's been bent and folded a window frame.......

Anticipating similar problems when we get there.

I have salvaged the lower part of my cab 11 windshield frame by filing the frame rust hole cavities with epoxy and J-B weld..... it was rusted out to the appearance of soda crackers.

Bob C

[RichCam]

Hello Bob,

I will post some close ups later tomorrow. I need to get the exact dimensions and then I am going to contact M.P. Metal Products to see if they have some matching C-108 16 gauge roll formed window frame with miter. It would make things a whole lot easier if I can find a steel roll form that is reasonably close.

Will let you know shortly.
Regards, Richard