15-CWT, 2K1, WIRE 5 Body Details

[RichCam]

Guys,

Jim and I currently have an opportunity to open up the paneling and look behind to see where the 12 VDC outlet goes on this particular box. To substantiate the exterior canopy idea, there are 4 angled holes that have been installed into that side of the exterior of the box that look like they could support some sort of awning or tent rod? Regarding Onan or Chorehorse generators, I will look more closely at the rack and the surrounding bracketry and housings.

Monday, we will check it out, take some pictures and post to this thread.

Richard

[Robert Bergeron]

Well , good morning Richard, hope you are well .

Interesting that you would mention the angled 4 holes in your discussion.

I have found an interesting picture detailing the map table that fits in those 4 holes.According to David , the lower holes are for the studs protruding from the table to fix it to the box and the higher two for the chains holding said table horizontal.

The picture was posted by a fellow MLU member but i do not recall his name right now .

What you see in the picture is the map table stored at the front of the box.

[Robert Bergeron]

Gents,

In this picture taken by our friend richard when he had the box sandblasted we clearly see the tube that is in a vertical plane used to store aerials we were discussing earlier.

We also see the map table storage bracket but in a different position than in the previous picture of another box.

[Robert Bergeron]

picture uploaded

[RichCam]

David and Robert,

Regarding Picture #3, the dual exhaust Y pipe that protrudes through the floor in the generator closet, that is what the Wire 5 Radio Box has at our shop. We removed it to be able to remove the closet frame such that the paneling is exposed. I'm safe to assume then that this Box was then using 2 chore horse generators?

With regards to the map table, I don't have one but I do have the bracket in place and the 4 angled holes for the support rods.

With regards to the +/- plate on the side. If one leaves the copper bar in place behind the wing nuts, I guess it could be used as an external grounding plate. If you spin the wing nuts off, remove the bar, you could use it as a + and - connector through the wall of the box, like Picture #2. I'm not a radio guy but that would be kind of handy, I think.

That's all for now, Steve is working on the window slider frames, Jim is working on the convoy lights - amazing that they work after 70 years of sitting in the mud and stuff once you change out the bulb. I'm still trying to get a couple of hours of peace and quiet so I can finish wiring the dash.

Let me know what you think!

[Jon Skagfeld]

A previous poster wondered what was done for interior heat.

As far back as the late '50s, we had a black stove about 2 1/2 ft high, 3' in diameter, with a wire handle. These were stores issued items. I have no idea how they were used...coal, oil, naptha??? Our time on location was so short that the rad ops just soldiered on.

Note to Richard (which may put to bed all the questions about the 12 v feed): There was a rolled up laminated large diagram showing the WS No 19 vehicle installation which was part of the 19 set stuff that you loaded up at my place.Perhaps reference to it may sort things out.

[David Dunlop]

Over the years, I have had a few people ask if there was a manual for the 20' Vertical Antennae Mast and to my knowledge, there never was one, simply because the 20' Mast was just one part of the Antennae Vertical 34' Steel Mk I Kit.

Thought I would post a couple of pictures from the manual for this kit showing what all went into it. There is a picture of the Base Plate, Vertical Roof there which may help some individuals identify this item at their favourite surplus hangout. The post in the centre of this plate is actually ball shaped to allow for correct vertical orientation of the steel mast on any vehicle roof that is not flat. The ZA No. for this Base Plate is ZA/C 00103 and the Mfg. Part Number is PC 82495C-269.

The Vehicle Mounting Brackets & Hardware for storing the 34' Mast on the 2K1 Wireless Body would not be used as this mounting was factory installed. However these parts would be used on the HUW to mount the mast on the right side of the vehicle, just aft of the Driver's Door.

David

[RichCam]

David,

Thank you for the diagrams. I will print them out and study them in more detail tomorrow morning.

Jon - I will look at the rolled up radio set-up diagram and see if I can decipher
the +/- wall connection.

One more part to the mystery, I have a Ford HUW chassis out in the back 40. The seat isn't a regular CMP seat but after looking at Robert's pictures of various Wire 5 bodies, is it possible that this is a "radio" operator's seat - from the back of the HUW?

Let me know what you think and I could transfer it to the Wire 5 box if it is.

Regards,

[rob love]

The seat almost looks like the seat from a M-series Dodge. Seems to me there was two different heights in the command post vehicle and this would be the higher one.

[David Dunlop]

Rich.

That'almost' looks like a Bantam Jeep seat, but not quite. Whatever it is, it is definitely not a seat for your 2K1, or very likely the HUW.

THe two seats in the 2K1 for the Wireless Operator and Cypher Clerk are standard Chev CMP seat assemblies identical to those in the cab. In earlier 15-cwt Wireless bodies the seat assemblies were bolted onto wooden spacers on the floor, but these proved to be very poor in durability. For the 2K1, a seat mount assembly was designed out of tubular steel in a roughly figure eight shape. It sits about 3 to 4 inches high with four feet on it that bolt into the hole patterns in the floor you will find in front of the wireless desk and off to the left, in front of the Cypher Clerk Desk. The complete Chev seat and rail assembly then bolts down on top of these mounts. The mounts are drilled to take the hardware in the same spots that mount these seats to the cab floor. Both seats face forward. The Cypher Clerk works side saddle.

If you can find one of these tubular seat mounts, any shop could knock off a bunch for you in pretty short order. They are pretty straight forward in design.

Cheers for now,

David

[David Dunlop]

Morning Robert.

Yes, in your Post 21, Pic 1, that is the Onan exhaust shroud. The white paper Instruction Sheet for it's installation would have been to it's immediate left.

As far as i know, all 2K1 bodies were wired for the 110 line. It was present in nearly all of the bodies I examined at Princess Auto years ago, and in the bodies from which it was missing, you could see the trace of where it had been removed and the brass ID plate was still on the front wall for it.

Must try and find that photo today and see what model Onan it was.

Morning Rich.

Love your project. I know it has been a big one so it must be nice to be running down the far side of the hill with it finally!

If you have any holes on the left side of your 2K1 other than the two large round ones with the two keyholes above them to support the map table, then they must have been added for some sort of late life modification. The original penthouses for the 2K1 were only supported along the roof line either side by the row of hooks running the edge of the roof, above the rain gutters. I have only ever seen photos of the penthouses set up, so all one can see is canvas and a bit of rope, but there were likely two corner posts and some guy roping at the very least. The other unknown is if the penthouses were part of the 2K1 'standard kit', or requisitioned on an 'as needed basis'. Set up with one on either side of the vehicle, would be a great looking setup. Party room on the right, conference room on the left.

Look forward to your photos of the 12-volt passthrough terminals. Robert's idea of moving the wireless set out to that side makes a lot of sense and that terminal would fit the bill nicely, Especially since the hookup would totally interfere with the Cypher Clerk's station so he would have to be working somewhere else. As I recall, one could not fold the Cypher Clerks desk out of the way if the inside terminals were in use as I think it covers those terminals on the inside when in it's stowed position. Not sure they would be able to place the 19-Set on the map table without risking the weight pulling the two support chains for the map table out of the aluminum side wall eventually. Maybe it was set up on something else when moved to the penthouse.

David

[Robert Bergeron]

here, finally, the aerial tube.

Picture posted by 8th Hussar , he has a very fine picture album on this box.

[David Dunlop]

While looking for the photos of my 2K1 I was sidetracked by an old folder of data I had accumulated on the 2K1 bodies I was able to study at Princess Auto. I had taken the opportunity of so many being available to sort though all of them to filter out what appeared to be common to all of them (translate original) and what was likely later life modifications.

I came up with these two floor and ceiling plans, I thought I would share.


David

[David Dunlop]

Sorry guys. Just found some more boring stuff related to the electrical interference problems encountered from the engine ignition system in the Chev HUW initially, and how it was solved. I drag it in here as it precedes development of the 15-cwt 2K1 and the items developed for the C8A HUW were actually incorporated into the production of the 15-CWT, 2K1, WIRE 5 Vehicles. If you have the original Cab Assembly for a WIRE 5, you will see the factory installed mount for the ignition coil, spanning the opening just below and back of the hood hinge line. The coil was placed there, in it's own little shielded box, from it's normal position right side of the engine above the distributor because of the shielding boxes that were installed over the distributor and spark plugs.

I have the instructions for all this shielding work, complete with parts list and illustrations. It's 9 pages and if you are interested, let me know and I will scan it in and post for you. Done up properly, these 2K1's were pretty tight little suckers electronically!

David

[David Dunlop]

Robert.

Before I forget. I think you had asked earlier if the 2K1's were ever heated. The short answer is , no. However. There is a 2K2 Wireless Body. Never ever seen one, but apparently it is virtually identical to the 2K1, with the exception of the addition of an electric heater. I have no idea where it was located, but it had two separate blowers, one for heat and the second for air circulation and was wired into the panel box with the addition of another fuse in the No. 6 Fuse Position.

David

[Robert Bergeron]

David,

You are a champion of information.

Thank-you very much .

My box will have heat you can be sure of that.

The power generated by the period Onan or it's 110VAC modern equivalent will be put to good use, you can believe me.

You are the best source we have had yet on this most interesting discussion.

You have seen 50 of these boxes , more than most i suggest.