Our LRDG Chev

[Andrew H.]

Thanks David,
Its surprising that brake parts were not standardised between L/L and CMP Chevs, as they were all made in Canada at the same time by the same company for the same purpose. And probably in the same factory?

[Andrew H.]

On Sunday we did a mock-up assembly of the truck to see what she looks like. None of the bodywork is permanently attached yet, but we were pleased to see that everything fits properly and looks right. Its a morale booster, as we are hoping to display her (unfinished) at the Armistice Day commemorations in November. We have nearly finished installing the brakes and have also started working on the gearbox, universal joints and driveshaft.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Andrew

Yes, it is a boost to the process to see what it is really going to look like. You have done a lot of hard work. It will be a very sharp rig when it is finished.

Cheers Phil

[Andrew H.]

Yesterday we tried to remove the 70-year-old tyres from the split rims and what a job that was! I cannot believe those wheels are so heavy - they must weigh 100 kg each!! After unscrewing (with great difficulty) the frozen nuts that hold the two rims together we tried several different methods, including laying the wheel down flat and pressing down on the tyre with a crowd-action FEL, riding up onto the tyre with a vehicle, pumping it full of air to separate the halves, and tying one rim to a well-anchored post and pulling the other one with a winch! We even considered burning the tyres off the rims!

In the end there was no substitute for the tried-and-proven 1942 method, using an impact hammer (a heavy crow-bar with a sliding weight) and a large drift-pin hit with maximum force by a (younger) assistant wielding a 20 pound sledge hammer! Even with that method it still took about an hour to remove each tyre and separate the rims. The rims will now be sand-blasted and painted after replacing some of the studs, which were badly eaten away with rust.
Recently we made the stencils for the identification numbers and the kiwi emblem and spray-painted them onto the bonnet (see pic) exactly as shown in the WWII archive photos. Onwards and upwards !

[Lynn Eades]

Andrew, I assume those are the Kaimai ranges in the second to last picture?
I am on the other side and see the Te Aroha repeater mast from home.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Andrew, I assume those are the Kaimai ranges in the second to last picture?
I am on the other side and see the Te Aroha repeater mast from home.

G'Day Lynn,
Yes those are the Kaimais. The farm where we are doing the truck is situated about 10 miles south of Te Aroha town.
Cheers,
Andrew

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

G'Day Lynn,
Yes those are the Kaimais. The farm where we are doing the truck is situated about 10 miles south of Te Aroha town.
Cheers,
Andrew

Ah an old haunt of mine 40 years ago LOL!