Dan McCaw's Yard Cleared

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by Bruce Parker
I had a long chat with Dan McCaw tonight. If he had wrecked half a dozen useful CMP's, under the circumstances, even I'd think it was justified. As it is, not much of value was lost. I took a stearing box off one of the earmarked 15cwt's a few months ago. Having free range to take anything else of value, I declined. There was nothing. Before the wrecker came, Dan took off things like rad spring guards and tow shackles. What went was a bunch of broken frames, beyond hope body parts
and driven out axles. Dan knows what is of value.

As to Dan himself, he has a wealth of knowlege about mechanics and CMP's that is second to none. He was, and remains, willing to help anyone seriously interested in these sorts of things. But be warned: he has no patience for tire kickers or talkers. Talk to him about politics and you will be forever enlightened, changed and
cynical.

He advertised in CMP magazine and had no takers. Never crossed his mind to advertise further as in a community such as ours that should have been enough. Bottom line, the time had come to realize what he still wanted to do, and what was surplus.

What's left is a C60L GS and a 1-1/2 Chev tractor (American) restored and running, a Mk.II (mortar) carrier, a 1942 C15A with a water tank (nice!! Full istruction plates and I nabbed the water filter units from a wreck myself), a 1942 HUP with a full body, an M-37, a WW2 Diamond T wrecker, others I can't recall and an assortment of salvaged CMP parts. He also has an 11 cab C8 and a 12 cab C15A that are tired but un-mucked with and original (please don't even consider these until I've decided if I want one or both of them). Word is getting around. If any of this is interesting, I'd get in touch with Dan quickly.

Bruce
I agree with you on Dan McCaw..
Hell of a knowlegable and helpfull guy..Started up these Warrior Days and knows his stuff..
He is a mechanic himself and has a couple of others working for him in his garage..
If Dan scrapped it ,it was scrap..
He has the cadets up every year and has them in the vehicles,around the vehicles and they even do the security and guard duty around the clock for the four days at Coe Hill..He ,at his own expense puts on the corn and hamburgers for the cadets,vehicle people and anyone else around on the Saturday night at Warrior days..His whole family pitches in..
He was more than helpful to me when I asked to do pix for an upcoming article in Convoy magazine and he was more than happy to help out..
Although he said nothing of scrapping his scrap,I don't think it may have occurred to him..
Now that I look at my CMP #33 issue ,I see his add..that he has stuff for sale..
So Dan has added lots to the Military Vehicle preservation over the years and there is still stuff there..So what if he is a little impatient at times with looters and tire kickers..He is a serious business and family guy and one of us..
Any support I can give him I will..
Chris..You got the makin's of a crusty,crankey old bastard... I like that...just like some of the rest of us...you are just not there yet...time will fix that...