Canadair CL70 CFR 58-91588

[rob love]

The 204 Base Workshop is shown on a google search to be Barriefield/London/Hagersville. That is a fairly typical component rebuild tag for the period. It doesn't mean the vehicle was located there, just that the component went through rebuild there.

My guess was there was not a long enough production of these vehicles to warrant a proper data plate being silkscreened and stamped. That hand done one would suffice.

[Robin Craig]

Thanks for the reply Rob,

I guess I didn't make myself clear in my original post, the tag is actually silk screened but it is faded and also just doesn't show up in the photo.

I feel quite foolish that you found those locations via Google and I didn't bat an eye lid to think about that.

Thank you

[colin jones]

Hi Robin, what a beautiful little tracked project. I haven't seen on of these before and I can't believe it is so small. What sort of engine do they run and what type of drive system does it have. Are they constructed of ply and aluminium. What was their purpose during their time of operation as they don't look like they would hold very much unless they had multiple trailers. The tracks look like a fabricated conveyer belt style which would be easily made and quite durable. I will be watching with much interest so keep the photo's coming.
Colin

[Frank v R]

Robin , it appears you steering wheel is M-series jeep,

[Robin Craig]

Frank,

Thanks for that detail, I was about to post a question about that.

Colin, the body is aluminum / aluminium and the frame underneath is hollow structural steel. The play is just to make a jog with. Here is some infor about the machine:-

The Rat (CL-261 et CL-70): A Canadair Vehicle Division was formed in 1956. Its first project was the RAT (Remote Articulated Track), a light vehicle for transporting personnel and equipment over difficult terrain. Amphibious and air-droppable, the two-unit vehicle had a gross weight of 1,100 kg (2,500 lb.) and a payload of 300 kg (600 lb.) It could travel at 30 km/h (20 mph) on packed snow and 5 km/h (3 mph) on water. A 35-hp Volkswagen engine drove both units through a unique articulating transfer joint.
A total of 36 RATs was built, six prototype CL-61s and the rest CL-70s. Of these, 24 went to the Canadian Army, two each to the Swedish Army and the New Jersey Mosquito Control Authority, and one each to the Canadian Department of Mines and Resources and the Department of Northern Affairs

[Jason Ginn]

Originally Posted by Frank v R

Robin , it appears you steering wheel is M-series jeep,

Although made by the same supplier I don't think so. This wheel is keyed and not splined to the shaft like the jeeps. The hub profile is also off with the three distinct triangular "points" on the arms.

Luckily enough of it exists to repair. I use epoxy and filler based on an article in Old Autos from 20 years ago lol. A good Model maker like you Robin should be able to get it cleaned up nice! The white paint will be a big help!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Jason Ginn

Although made by the same supplier I don't think so. This wheel is keyed and not splined to the shaft like the jeeps. The hub profile is also off with the three distinct triangular "points" on the arms.

Luckily enough of it exists to repair. I use epoxy and filler based on an article in Old Autos from 20 years ago lol. A good Model maker like you Robin should be able to get it cleaned up nice! The white paint will be a big help!

Are you suggesting that paint hides a multitude of restorer's sins?

[Robin Craig]

Quite frankly I would really much prefer to get an NOS steering wheel and fit it rather than epoxy the ones we have, always makes me feel edgy with restored steering wheels. I was bitten once driving a restored vehicle with an epoxied steering wheel that let go in my hands while driving.

When I count the miles I had done in his truck it makes me shiver to think what could have happened, Yes i know the CL70 is a slow speed off road machine, I am going to have to think about that.

Thanks for the confidence in my skills Jason, and yes Terry a lot of lipstick can make a pig look attractive and a lot of paint makes a lot of jeeps look mint.

On another note I stumbled across a VW engine guru who has agreed to assist in sourcing a complete engine for the project based on identification later this week of what we take out.

Apparently the 6 to 12 volt difference in the early VW engines makes a big difference in parts availability. While I am not opposed to such a change I would prefer not to if possible. Using a replacement engine is ok with me.

The tracks we feel are ok for what we need at the moment.

I am about to get an ownership with the province of Ontario for it, always nice to have some paperwork.