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#1
20-04-14, 13:15
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Decided on a rear body for the CMP
While cleaning up at my Father In Laws place, we came across a curious, and very well constructed, metal frame, which was initially of unknown purpose. It is 2.4m (?8ft) long x 2.0m (6+ft) wide. A lot of work went into this, with weld around all sides of all joins. None of us knew this even existed, and no one recalls seing it being constructed! It is most definately a frame for the rear of a decent size utility vehicle. Odd though, the only vehicle he had already has a tray back, and I don't think he was considering changing that off.
After some prelimenary measurements, I believe this frame will fit the back of my truck with minimal modification. Certainly isn't too wide, and I do believe once the tool box & tyre carrier are installed, it will fit in nicely behind that, with little hang over (possibly < 150mm/6") at the rear. Many options have been considered for what to do about rear body, and with the discovery of this frame, I think this is my choice. It's too good to overlook, and it would be a shameful act to see it go to someone else, or possibly end up as scrap. My Father In Law was every bit the welder I knew I wouldn't be! Prior to discovering this frame, we discovered a sizable pile of tongue & groove floorboards in one corner of the shed. We had no idea what these were for, as no renovations were planned, nor was there any other lumber anywhere around. The mystery depened when, upon closer examination, each length was seen to have a unique number written on one end. There was around 25 - 30 boards, from memory. Once we found the steel frame, the mystery was solved of course. The hardwood lengths were intended for the construction of the ute tray! Such was the thorough planning and execution of everything he did. When all the boards were lain roughly in their final order, I couldn't help notice that despite a lot of variation in the board colors, when in 'order' they looked to be in a nice pattern, with no two identical ones together. I will ensure they are fixed in their correct order, as was intended by the maker. Quite a nice touch to an otherwise mundane item which nobody will give much thought to. I intend to have the boards fine sanded (professionally) when secured in final position. Floor sander guy will probably think I have gone rather potty, but those of us in the family will know the full story. Now you do too. 
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder) Last edited by Private_collector; 20-04-14 at 13:20. 
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#3
21-04-14, 01:35
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Too true, Robert! Guess this truck will be destined to stay in the family, so long as there is someone willing to take it.
Found heaps of trailers etc.. for sale in USA. Screenshot_2014-04-20-23-31-00.jpg $_12-5.jpeg I only want a pair of wheels like these, and an axle, for my little side project. This would be too good to cannibalise for that, but woukd be great to use as a 'daily' use trailer. Wonder how much to freight something like this to Australia? Heading back to my inlaws place, to retrieve some 8m lengths of rectangular steel box. I think there are 5 lengths, from memory. Was also intending to dismantle the fuel storage tank I have been given, but that may need to wait, thanks to a stinging pain in the back that started last evening. Never a dull moment. 
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
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#4
21-04-14, 19:25
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Quote:
Hanno
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Regards, Hanno --------------------------
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#5
22-04-14, 01:49
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Hello Hanno!
I think you are correct. We Australians dont like to see an opportunity pass when it comes to acquiring the odd relic. Especially those amongst us who have the storage capacity and transportation to retrieve. The wheels & axle are not an urgent need. They can wait until a later date. I did enquire with a fellow I know who has contact that often imports shipping containers into Australia from USA. His usual cargo is American vehicles, but can certainly accomodate such an item, if needed. The deal killer is the initial transportation costs of the trailer from purchase site to shipping depot. Many chaps here in Aus. have assisted me with parts already. Some have done so a number of times, and to those guys, I am truly grateful! A set of wheels & an axle should be easy enough to source locally to me. Just need to have patience and watch the auction sites and upcoming farm auctions. Slowly slowly, catchy monkey!  Later today, I will post regarding a wonderful piece televised last night, concerning the stories and recollections of a group of D Day veterans. I felt compelled to write to the television station this morning, to offer my thanks. As usual, the email turned into one of my 'Trilogy in 4 parts' scenarios.
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
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#6
22-04-14, 10:28
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ABC letter
As mentioned this morning, the following is a copy of a letter I sent to the ABC. Subject is self explanatory. Thought some here may have the same sentiments and could find it interesting. Hopefully I have remembered the details correctly.
Dear Four Corners Team, I watched your presentation of Day of Days last night, and felt compelled to write and offer my thanks for showing this wonderful piece of history, which was also a great tribute to those that participated in Operation Overlord (D Day military designation). I watched with my Wife, often in tears, as the veterans described their experiences.*As a community health worker in Gympie, QLD, I have had the extreme honor of meeting two of the men who were among the may that stormed the beaches on that day. It is incredible that there are 2 of those fellows, living within 20 minutes of Gympie itself. One of these chaps has now passed away, and the other, now in his mid 90s, still lives with his wife on a rural property, just out of town. If I may, I would like to briefly tell you of these remarkable men. Mr William Dodd was a British tank commander, who initially served in the 7th Armoured Division, fighting in the African desert under command of Bernard Montgomery, against the German tactical genious General Erwin Rommel. His stories, and collection of photographs, are absolutely amazing. To wage war and survive that hell of an environment is a remarkable feat itself, without his participation in the events to come. His, and many other tank crews, were recalled to Britain where he was then trained to operate a Top Secret development, known now as a 'D.D.' tank. The abbreviation stands for "Duplex Drive", and those tanks were able to be launched from an ocean going vessel several miles offshore from Normandy, where a pneumatic canvas skirt was raised to float the tank (weighing far more than 10 tons) which had a propellor in the rear that drove it forward. Mr Dodd came ashore on D Day, from the sea, driving one of these floating tanks! A number of the German defenders lost their lives simply because they were transfixed on the spectacle of tanks coming out of the water, and were so stunned by this that they stood staring, when they shood have been seeking cover. Mr Dodd is an EXTREMELY LUCKY man. Greater than half of all the D.D. tanks launched did not reach the beaches, as they were launched in open ocean*far from shore, and the ocean conditions were too rough for them to be operated without being swamped. Many men lost their lives when their tank sunk in deep ocean. A number of these 'craft' still lay on the ocean floor where they sank, and they still contain the remains of the brave men who crewed them. These tanks continue to defy belief*today! They are one example of a range of devices named collectively as Hobarts Funnies. The inventor was a gentleman by the name of Hobart. His other inventions are also remarkable, and are too numerous to speak of in detail here. The second of the D Day veterans I mention, is Mr Stanley Fox, a Royal Marine who was amongst the first British troops to come ashore around dawn, on*6th June, 1944. Mr Fox was still a child when war broke out in 1939, and he was amongst the children who were evacuated from the major cities, to remove them from harms way. While I am not aware of the exact date of his enlistment, I do know that he joined the British army the day after his Mother was killed during a German air raid. Mr Fox told me he joined especially to "kill every German he could get his hands on" in retribution for his Mothers death. He then went on to assure me that he succeeded in that endeavour! At time of telling me this story, the anger and pain could still be heard in his voice, after some 65 years. Mr Fox was not a man to speak openly of this episode in his life, and it was only after I had known him several years that he recanted these events for me. Mr Fox's military unit were loaded into a landing barge off the French coast, in the hours before dawn, and they then made their way ashore, through high seas and eventual enemy shelling from the large artillery guns on the shore. As their barge made its journey, they were also at threat from the sea. As with Mr Dodd in his D.D. tank, the ocean was so rough that many men were violently ill through the voyage. It is now known that the weakened state these men arrived in, was a major contributor to their untimely deaths, as they had lost their physical strength and some stamina, decreasing their ability to fight. As Mr Fox spoke of what happened when the door of the landing barge was lowered, it was impossible not to feel moved and emotional. He spoke of the high spirits of the men as they travelled the final few hundred feet to the beach. He described how the men were expressing their desire to be the first off the barge, and how each man wanted to be the first to get at the Germans. The reality of what occured next would be vastly different from their expectations. The German defenders, aware of what 'sitting ducks' these vessels were, had trained their machine guns on the doors of the barges, and awaited their lowering. When the doors finally dropped, the men were cut to ribbons before they had a chance to reach dry land. Of the men on Mr Foxs barge, more than half died before reaching French soil. Seeing this happen, and knowing what fate awaited him, Mr Fox made the decision to jump over the side of the barge and take his chances in the still very deep water. As a result of the weight of his pack and fighting equipment, he almost drowned in the water, but was able to eventually make his way to the beach. May men were not this lucky. Many men drowned, or were over run by following barges. Some were shot in the water, or died as a result of enemy shelling of the barges. If there is a hell, what occured on the morning of June 6th must surely be a glimpse of that, and the events of the day continue to haunt the survivors, even after the decades which have rolled along since that time. Sadly, Mr Fox passed away last year. I attended his funeral, and was quite surprised and very honored to see that the photograph which adoned his casket was a photo I had taken of him on ANZAC Day a year prior, that showed him formally dressed and standing very dignified, wearing his military medals.* In closing, allow me to once again express my gratitude to your airing of the story of the men of D Day. Despite what the participants have felt and voiced, I continue to believe they are ALL heroes, regardless of their part in the event, or their longevity since that day. I have watched and listened closely to media reporting, as D Day anniversary approaches each year, and I have always been dismayed to find very little (if any) mention or recognition of the significance of that day, despite it being the event which stands alone as the largest single human endeavour in history. For the anniversary to pass into obscurity would be a shameful blight against the sacrifice of those whose memories and nightmares can only be relieved by their own death. Having watched your presentation, and while this remains fresh in my mind, I intend to make the time*today*to visit my one living link with D Day, to shake his hand and thank him once again for the sacrifice he has made to ensuring the world remained free from the nazi rampage of World War II.* I eagerly await, and always appreciate, your stations coverage of ANZAC Day commemorations, and very much look forward to your program Ten Days to D Day, on the evening of this years anniversary of the event. Yours humbly, Tony Baker Gympie, QLD As a foot note, I did visit Mr Dodd, and he looks EXACTLY the same as I saw him last, some 6+ months ago. He still lives with his Wife, in their own home. He continues to display the same warmth of personality and sunny disposition! His Wife continues to provide him with her care and love, as she has done for over 60 years of marriage. They are both the epitome of youthful minds in aged bodies! Hope you enjoyed the letter. 
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
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#7
22-04-14, 11:27
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Well said mate, I also watched the program last night, most of us could not imagine the anxiety / horror of what fate was awaiting on that morning.
My late father is a WW2 veteran Royal Engineers, but he was in Nth Africa, Sicily and Italy, my late Uncle Bert Harvey was with the Royal Engineers and went in on the beaches of Normandie at D-Day +24hours i.e. the next day, from what he told me it was not a pleasant place, cheers Dennis 
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#8
09-05-14, 13:50
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Quote:
Can you post a picture of the frame you found. I have a suspicion... Jack
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#9
09-05-14, 22:45
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Hi Jack,
Not yet brought it home, but will be there today and will take a photo to post.
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
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#10
10-05-14, 09:52
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Bought the foam tubing I will use to protect transfer case from the chains while hoisting into place. Didn't get home until after 1630hrs, so that will either be done tomorrow, if I have enough day left after the mowing, or Wednesday, which is my day off.
Jack, here is the rear body frame I have been talking about. The front of it is closest to camera, and it is standing up on one side. Must gat that home soon too, before the weather ruins it! I think it should go to the sandblasters before finishing the trip home. The timbers for the floor will have to be stored in one of my sheds. We have termites in the ground, here. They must have teeth of steel. They can even chew hardwood......eventually. DSC_0070.jpg This is the fuel tank that will eventually get 'restored' in an appropriate military color, have a 1940s Shell sticker applied, and stand outside the workshop. DSC_0072.jpg It will get a thorough sandblasting prior, of course. I rebuilt the fuel nozzle a couple of weeks ago. The correct type of fuel hose rubber is available locally, from Roadside Relics in Gympie. They specialise in vintage fuel bowsers and service station related collectables. Have a look here: http://www.roadsiderelics.com.au/ I spoke with one of the guys at Jacobsens Auto Engineering on Friday. They will be contacting me next week with a guestimate of cost to reassemble the engine. Because the block is one of the French made flathead v8s, there are several special requirements which do not apply to a Ford manufactured one, so I will need to ensure these are relayed to them so they can do the build correctly. No idea how much $$$ to expect it will cost!
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
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#11
11-05-14, 10:45
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Nearly got the transfer case back in!
DSC_0074.jpg
Both the front shafts are now reassembled, awaiting transfer case installation, courtesy of a replacement uni bought yesterday. Note, all the lube nipples face the same way, to make servicing less painful! DSC_0075.jpg I took the cowards way out, and added eleventeen gasket pieces to the oil seal plate of input shaft. DSC_0079.jpg Started to attempt istallation, but ran out of day, and my better judgement took over, to halt play for another day. I think I will put the selector tower bracket on before I raise the case again. I came to realise the chain at that end of the case would foul against the chassis because the lifting attachment points are too close together. Even though there is a piece of carpet around the cross member, if I don't attach the chains better, i'm sure to scrape paint off. DSC_0078.jpg This is as far as I got before putting the truck to bed. Pity not to finish the job, but it'll keep. We have a public holiday here on Friday, so if I can't get it done on Wednesday, i'll aim for Friday.
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
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#13
12-05-14, 11:02
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Quote for reassembly of Flathead V8
You may recall I recently contacted an engineering firm for a quote to reassemble my Ford Sidevalve engine. That phonecall was Friday, and as they had promised, I got a return call today with their quote. Firstly, let me say the price indicted was not a firm amount, it was advised to be a rough estimate, and was based on similar rebuilds they had done in past. Playing devils advocate, I think they may have been struggling with the concept that this is effectively a new engine. As the conversation progressed, I clarified that a number of tasks associated with a rebuild are not applicable here. Things such as line boring mains, testing & repairing con rods where applicable, and machining valve seats were spoken about. I could confirm these jobs were not required, and although they said this could decrease the cost by a bit, I can't help but feel the estimate of $3400 to put the engine together is a little harsh! I know of two people who have had work done there, and it has been exceptionally good standard in both cases. There is no doubt I would be happy with the outcome, but at 3k+, that is more than I wish to part with.
Perhaps I should be writing a list of what parts are brand new, and document the tasks which will not be required in this assembly. I initially hoped that my indicating 'everything is new' would allow any prospective firm to quote for what is in essence a very easy build. That said, I know for a fact that in this case it was not fully understood that the block itself was absolutely ununsed & literally brand new. Not surprising when you consider that not many (if any others at all) of the French manufactured blocks/engines have made their way to Australia. I should imagine that after clarification of the above, the final cost of reassembly would be very much reduced from the estimate, but can I afford to take that chance? Not really! Even if the invoice was 1/2 the amount, that is more than I had expected under the circumstances.  Guess I will get further quotes. I'll also do my best to ensure that it is fully understood that no internal components require repair or reconditioning in any way. Ho, hum! 
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Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still) Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder) Last edited by Private_collector; 12-05-14 at 11:08.
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Hybrid Mode
