Reference: Top Bows - 15-cwt truck

[Hanno Spoelstra]

In no particular order, some pictures showing details of how the cross bars are fitted to the main bows.

This is a set of bows which were copied from original ones.

172706646_1393460934324444_246725055856995307_n.jpg 172695246_1393460850991119_8708885808752698618_n.jpg 172449794_1393460997657771_8816992079186731876_n.jpg

[Bob Carriere]

I will be doing the bows for my 2B1 box and I am working on the assumption that bows for the C15a are all the same regardless of the box designation/size... for greater parts simplicity and interchange........is my assumtion corrct??

I haven ever seen and original set of bows and was happy to discover the "hooks" shown in your pictures.

Would be nice if Jordan B. would chime in with is recent bow expereince even if his are special for the radio truck..

I have concluded that 1 inch diametre pipe was used....BUT what kind...thin wall, thick water pipe or electrical conduit thin wall.

What is the secret to flattening the ends so that the flat piece is off center? I will use a hydraulic press for this purpose and also have a hydraulic pipe bender.

On my cab 11 I intend to use the leather straps and the brass "nipples" of the 2B1...... I realize that I will need to fabricate the leather straps as they were not included on the excellent repros championed by Stewart Loy years ago.

Any record of "bows" having been available that would allow them to be taken apart for easier storage?? .... I do realize that they can be stored forward at the front of the cab when the tarp is not used but they will still be and issue for storing inside my sea container.

I particular like the looks of the C15a with the front and sides rolled up leaving just an "African" looking canvass roof for shade.

Thanks for your help.

Bob C

[Grant Bowker]

From: https://www.atc-mechanical.com/tube-...size-overview/

"Tubing is measured by the OUTSIDE DIAMETER (O.D.), specified in inches (e.g., 1.250) or fraction of an inch (eg. 1-1/4″). Pipe is usually measured by NOMINAL PIPE SIZE (NPS). .... For sizes from 1/8-inch through 12-inch, the NPS corresponds to the nominal inside diameter, but differs somewhat from its actual inside diameter. Early pipe manufacturers made the walls in the smaller sizes much too thick, and in correcting this error in design, they took the excess from the inside to avoid changing the sizes of the companion fittings."

From memory, I think the AEDB record refers to pipe rather than tube for the bows but you should confirm this (feel free to correct me if this isn't true).

I have the impression that someone gave you at least a partial bow (unless it was a replica?). Don't ask me where it might be squirreled away "for safe keeping". If that can be found and measured it could be compared to the tables of tube and pipe size to find the nearest modern equivalent.

No proof of this but I doubt the originals would have been as light as modern EMT (electric conduit) - maybe the standards on that have changed over time too...


Other possibly useful links:
http://www.wermac.org/pipes/pipe_vs_tube.html
https://www.commercemetals.com/tube-...plain-english/
https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/di...pipe-and-tube/
I know Metal Supermarkets aren't the cheapest but their site can be a guide to what is reasonably easy to buy off the shelf in Canada (or USA).

[Bob Carriere]

I know exactly where they are and will pull them out....

How do we tell if they are original??????

[Jordan Baker]

Dont have much to chime in with. My bows for the Wire3 are different then the regular 15cwt ones. I did have a set of reproduction 15cwt ones but they went to another vehicle restoration years ago. I believe Stewart Loy had them made.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

I will be doing the bows for my 2B1 box and I am working on the assumption that bows for the C15a are all the same regardless of the box designation/size... for greater parts simplicity and interchange........is my assumtion corrct??

I haven ever seen and original set of bows and was happy to discover the "hooks" shown in your pictures.

Would be nice if Jordan B. would chime in with is recent bow expereince even if his are special for the radio truck..

I have concluded that 1 inch diametre pipe was used....BUT what kind...thin wall, thick water pipe or electrical conduit thin wall.

As far as I can tell they are for the 2C bodies onwards, and likely to be the same for the 2B1. But you would have to check with Pete Ashby, he built a 2B1 from scratch.

I will take some detailed measurements in the near future.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Couple of pics of hood / top bows on a 2H1 body on a C15A:

8444 Personnel lorry 1013-11643.jpg 1012-11648.jpg
Source: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...019#post252019

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some pictures of a 1944 Chev C15A with original canvas - see http://www.mapleleafup.net/vehicles/softskin/15cwt.html

"The enthusiast will note that the plastic windows on this tarp have been covered over; the tarp itself is stamped and dated 1943. It was found covering a crate of machinery in a company lot and bought for $15.00 CDN!"

f15a_03.jpg f15a_05.jpg

f15a_01.jpg f15a_02.jpg

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Hanno

I have never seen an original mesh window but have read that they were of woven copper mesh, like a screen window, very flexible and slightly tarnished brown?????

My repro is tightly sealed in a plastic container to be opened when I have my 2B1 finisihed. From quick measurements the bows of the 2B1 and 2C1 should be interchangeable....pipes maybe different but spacing the same....

Bob C.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

From quick measurements the bows of the 2B1 and 2C1 should be interchangeable....pipes maybe different but spacing the same....

Just checked with Pete Ashby as per the suggestion above. He replied:

The 2C1 bows are different as they are semi permanently fixed with screw attached side bars the 2B1 bars are just plain hoops without side bar attachments.

Also compare with another early body like the 3C1 GS body: 30-cwt - 3 ton 3C1 GS Steel body (Q.M.G.). This body has hoops without stabilising side bars, too.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

My repro is tightly sealed in a plastic container to be opened when I have my 2B1 finisihed.

Hello Bob, speaking of making 2B1 bodies - could you please share the info you have in a thread like this? 15-cwt GS body: 2H1 composite wood and steel

We can but propagate info the we have for the hobby to grow and seeing more CMPs on the road. I have some info which I will dig out too