Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Howard]

Wow. What a fantastic yarn to share. Good on you, Tony!

[Private_collector]

It was the biggest kick I've had in a damn long time, I assure you!

[Private_collector]

Yesterday I received my copy of the RAEME history book, With Skill and Fighting.
It's a damn fine book, and absolutely full of information. Equally important, the book has a large number of photos, making it a visual treat as well. I only started reading it last night, but have already identified the WW2 AEME unit I will eventually represent when I restore the currently grey truck.

Will upload some images of the book, when I can do so. Right now, the book is in our bedroom, and once again I'm awake and about far too early. Don't want to wake Mrs B by going back in there to get the book, so it'll have to wait till later. I can absolutely recommend With Skill and Fighting to anyone who has an interest in military history, for current or former members of the Corps, or even those who just enjoy a stimulating read. The book is $80, which includes postage within Australia, and can be purchased by following the instructions found here http://www.raeme.org.au/index.php/co...ail?Itemid=278

P.S: David, i read your post about the orangutang (I have no idea how to spell it), and intended to reply later. Went looking for the post this AM but can't find it now. Anyway, it's more arms I need, not longer ones!

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

P.S: David, i read your post about the orangutang (I have no idea how to spell it), and intended to reply later. Went looking for the post this AM but can't find it now. Anyway, it's more arms I need, not longer ones!

I removed the post Tony to determine whether it was a joke or not and David decided NOT to repost it.

[Private_collector]

OK Cliff. I took it as a joke, anyway. I think he has a cryptic sense of humour!

[Private_collector]

Today I made a trip to retrieve some parts from a friends place. While there, I had the chance to look at a very complete Ford he recently brought back from Western QLD.
dsc_0951-resized-960.jpg dsc_0950-resized-960.jpg dsc_0952-resized-960.jpg
The vehicles serial number is partly visible on both sides of the nose panel (much easier to see on one side) and also seems to be repeated on the bumper. I think I have correctly deciphered the last 4 of the 5 digits, but cannot make out the first. Could be a 5, 6, or 9. Can anyone help identify what it may be? NB: THE third photo shows the numbers after I drew my finger over them, to finish the missing sections. I'm fairly confident I have those ones right.
dsc_0942-resized-960.jpg
Another tantalising clue to this vehicles provenance, is the definate HQ3 clearly visible on the doors. The truck has had very few layers of paint applied over the years, and it looks like a latter application of color has reacted with the original (I hope) signwriting, and caused it to come away in a manner quite different to the rest of the now peeling paint. I will show some more general photos of this truck in a following post. It's retains some items usually lost in time, or thrown away due to deterioration. I'm very excited about how original and complete this truck is. My friend did well with acquiring this one!
dsc_0940-resized-960.jpg
The above photo is from the nose panel of another Ford CMP, vehicle number 56183. Is there any way to trace this vehicles history, and possibly the one at the top of this post. Alas, no chassis number has been found on vehicle '_4796'. It may yet be discovered, but my friend is thorough, and he says it's not there, he is probably correct. Looked in all the usual spots.

[Private_collector]

Here are more photos of the vehicle in my previous posting.
dsc_0943-resized-960.jpg
While the tray is not original, damn near everything else is, I suspect. Side lights are present. Bumper is about the straightest one I have ever seen. I didn't take a front-on photo, but the grille is there, and rot free. Nose panel is also rot free. The window frames are in perfect shape, nothing more than surface rust, and both sides swing cleanly.
dsc_0945-resized-960.jpg
Seat covers look to be the original ones, but badly broken down. Would be good for patterns though, and would have been nice and soft, as compared to the thinner version I have in mine. In reviewing this particular photo, I see an original fan shroud sitting on passenger seat. I know the owner is planning an engine swap, so must write him....quickly, and offer to buy the shroud.....quickly!
dsc_0946-resized-960.jpg
Not actually seen an original sun visor before. The sunshine roof I brought home today, has the bracket and a portion of the arm which would have held the visor, but visor itself is long gone. When I visit my friend again in a few weeks, I will take some measurements of the visor, and get one made for my vehicle. Will post the details if anyone is interested. Might even remove the wasps nests prior. They may cause incorrect dimensions if left insitu!
dsc_0944-resized-960.jpg
Now this was a REAL surprise. A genuine, unaltered, unbutchered, battery box. Minus hold down top and wing nuts, unfortunately, but a correct top piece can be sourced easily enough. Once again, my friend may not require this tray, so it could come up for sale in near future. He puts things for sale on ebay. The original fuel filter still sits behind the battery box. Just goes to show, some fairly good finds are still out there, waiting to be discovered.