2007 at the Hammond Barn

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Gawd, you didn't tell him where your beer fridge is, did you??!!

[RHClarke]

Tiffys were good for two things: ensuring a passing grade on the Annual Technical Inspection, and sniffin out beer. In my experience you could find a tiffy either in the workshop or at the mess.

Marcel did not leave Casa Carriere without having quaffed a Keiths. We all indulged in a sausage and cheeze tray put on by Joyce and "swung the lantern".

Hopefully, visitors to BB3 will have a chance to chat with Marcel about his CMP experiences.

Now all we have to do is re-re-re-re-reorganize the barn...

[RHClarke]

[i]..This week I hope to "mate" the body to the frame but need your assistance in finding exactly where the spacers are located. I marked the spacer general locations (see photo), but as usual left out that important detail. When you get a chance, could you run a tape measure and provide the measurement for the front of each spacer? That would be much appreciated. [/B]

Well, the "mating" did not happen and won't until after a visit to the local muffler shop. However, Mark Perry came thru with the shim locations. Many thanks, Mark.

First - the referenced photo:


For the relatively few 45 HUP owners, here is where Mark's HUP spacers reside (text and photos from Mark):

First is the rearmost, LR, the long piece, which is 1 5/8" from the end of the frame - note the bevel is downward to fit to the curve.

The LR1 piece sits 2 3/8" aft of the front edge of the channel is supports - note bevel downwards on this one also.

The LF piece sits at the front edge of the channel is supports where it angles back.

The MID piece is 8" aft of the forward piece.

The DOOR piece is 13 3/8" aft of the forward piece.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

RH...
Now you know where...."Throw the blocks to the old lady...""
Came from...( A '45 HUP Mechanic...)

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Alex Blair
RH...
Now you know where...."Throw the blocks to the old lady...""
Came from...( A '45 HUP Mechanic...)

Amen, Brother Alex. If it wasn't for the HUP, I'd have nothing to snivel about.

As for the spacers, the holes drilled in the two wooden spacers and the one "rubber" spacer are interesting. The wooden spacers sit over rivets on the top part of the frame, and thus are drilled out. The rubber spacer has a hole to permit a bolt to pass through. For some unknown reason, the second longest wooden spacer's top side is indented by bolt head but was not drilled out.

An interesting beast those HUPs...

[RHClarke]

Not much to report on the CMP front. Cathouses, visiting and yard work have dominated our calendars lately. Today, being a "holiday", it was time to get to the barn. Grant helped run some wiring along the HUP's frame rail, and I helped him tear down one of Bob's old fence lines. After that fun, it was off to Chez Marie. Unfortunately, Sherri, our waitress was AWOL. Rumour has it that she has headed off to greener pastures.

After lunch I tried to find some screws to attach my gas tank sender unit to the top of one of the fuel tanks. I grabbed one of the old tanks from the shed and tried to remove the screws. In the process of removing said screws, we found we had some company. It would seem that we had disturbed some squatters:









Not quite a "Tiger in your Tank", but it provided some entertainment for Grant "The Mouse Wrangler" and I.

[cmperry4]

Mice are nuisance enough, but I think a face full of wasps would have been worse

[Bob Carriere]

Just got back from out of town and could not find my pet mouse....

Has any of you guys seen "Mousey"....?


BooB

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Bob Carriere
Just got back from out of town and could not find my pet mouse....Has any of you guys seen "Mousey"....?


BooB

Glad you made it home alright. As for the mouse. Er, check the back end of one of your cats...This is our last view of Mousey:

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by cmperry4
Mice are nuisance enough, but I think a face full of wasps would have been worse

Squeeks and buzzing - sounds par for the course for a CMP. The wasps were long dead and therefore were not an issue. They do however make excellent security guards in the summer...right, Grant?

Other than residual fuel vapours, rust dust and mouse crap, the only real danger we faced was me with the angle grinder.

I am amazed at the number of mice around the barn. I guess Bob's cats are kinda of spoiled and prefer to dine on foul.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by RHClarke
I guess Bob's cats are kinda of spoiled and prefer to dine on foul.

I know, Bob's cooking IS kinda foul... the only question is why the stupid cats would eat it...

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
I know, Bob's cooking IS kinda foul... the only question is why the stupid cats would eat it...

Must have been the gas fumes...Thanks for picking that one up, Geoff. I'm not sure what Bob fed you in the past, but we have had the pleasure of experiencing his cooking expertise and came away with a much different opinion. Just don't go for the Chinese food invites!

[RHClarke]

Bob and Grant spent Saturday cutting wood and clearing brush. I pitched in on Sunday morning to finish the job.

"Frank and Gordon" beavering away:


Following the logging, we stopped in at Chez Marie, and to our delight, Sherri had returned to her waitressing duties. You should know that we don't go to Chez Marie just for the food...right Geoff?

The afternoon included a number of events in the barn olympics:

Checking the Southern Wagon Lines:



Removing Stumps:



100 yard Volvo dash:



Will trade for CMP parts (with Bob's approval of course...)


And Grant's favourite: assembling shelters with roughly translated instructions...



It looked like Grant, Bob and Joyce had a handle on the assembly, so I parted company as it got dark.

[Bob Carriere]

....and I will even deliver the little rascals......

Tremendous weekend..... finally cleared about half an acre to give us more room to park truck closer to the barn..... and manage to save about two full bush cords of wood for the house and Lucifer in the barn. Also cleared up an other area for use of the Winter canvass garage for Grant to store his bits an pieces. The place is becoming more like a motor pool than a farm yard.

Could not have even done 10% of the work without the efforts of both Rob and Grant..... friends in deed!!!! partners in crime.

Hoping to see some of you guys at the OMVA on Saturday.

BooB

[Phil Waterman]

Originally posted by Bob Carriere
Has any of you guys seen "Mousey"....?

Bob - You really are going to have to talk your cats with your team of mousers there should not be a mouse left within a mile of the house. Do you think the mice have done a deal with the cats, you know like maybe the mice are supplying the cats with catnip as payoffs.

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Phil Waterman
... Do you think the mice have done a deal with the cats, you know like maybe the mice are supplying the cats with catnip as payoffs.

Hi Phil,

I guess the cat has Bob's tongue. I have been trying to get in touch with Bob but no luck so far. As for the mice, I suspect they have free reign due to the fact that Bob's cats are either fed too much gourmet food and/or they prefer our fine feathered friends.

Can you send a progress report on wiring looms?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by RHClarke
I guess the cat has Bob's tongue. I have been trying to get in touch with Bob but no luck so far.

You sure the bugger hasn't run off with our Cheri?

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
You sure the bugger hasn't run off with our Cheri?

Who knows? I'll have to ask Grant to check on Bob this weekend. Funny tho, we thought maybe she ran off with some smoooth talking Torontonian last week...

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by RHClarke
Funny tho, we thought maybe she ran off with some smoooth talking Trontonian last week...

I'll kill him...

[Bob Carriere]

So Rob caught up to me tonite and Grant called at the same time while the door bell was ringing as a neighbour wanted to dump off some wood chips that I use for composting..... hey I know my shit!!!

Been busy!!! Anyways had to attend to the roof job on the house.... just got it done between showers..... and I am so relieved the job is done...... I mean the roofer really relieved me of some good cash!!! Such is life.....

So it is off to Kanata to the first Eastern Ontario OMVA sell off.... I will be looking for bargains now that I am broke!!!!

See you guys!!!

BooB

[RHClarke]

This morning was dedicated to the rounding up of CMP frames and storing them for winter. So we played musical frames: We moved Grant's frame out of my shelter and into his flyaway shelter, then we moved Bob's frame out of the front of the barn and then removed my frame from the back of the barn. This was followed by placing my frame into my shelter and replacing Bob's frame into the rear of the barn. All of this is necessary so that we can keep Bob's tractor out of the cold weather.

Just to make things interesting, we moved some metal tables around and cleaned up some loose ends. Thankfully, my boy Jesse was there to supervise. After that fun, we headed off to Chez Marie for lunch where we met up with Grant. The boys will have to fill in the blanks for the afternoon fun.

Grants frame:


Its new home:

Bob's frame was next on the roundup list:

Then my frame and its winter home:

Jesse enjoyed the trip to the barn. Thanks for the entertainment, Bob! Mother enjoyed her "morning off".

[RHClarke]

It rained. I tarped some trucks. Bob and Grant played with antique tractors...Sunday should be more "productive"...

[Col Tigwell]

Bet you think the little fellow is the apple of your eye.

Whilst I am sure you understand that you have to teach him all, do not forget it is your job to spoil him a little.

Wish I had one as a side kick

Regards

Col

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by Col Tigwell
Bet you think the little fellow is the apple of your eye.

Whilst I am sure you understand that you have to teach him all, do not forget it is your job to spoil him a little.

Wish I had one as a side kick

Regards

Col

Col, He is spoiled at home, but I crack the whip at the barn. He will not get a CMP until he cuts his teeth on a Dodge. Don't want to spoil him too fast...

[RHClarke]

The Rotters made history. Four Charter members loaded into Bob's Chev hauler on Sunday morning for a trip to West Quebec - the most ever for a Rotter road trip. With Bob at the wheel, Clive riding shotgun, and Grant and I bringing up the rear, we hit the road - momentarily. Being gentlemen, we stopped for breakfast at Chez Marie first and then continued our journey of discovery. After playing 20 questions with the US Border Service, we merrily sped along the south bank of the St Larry River. We crossed back into Canada at or near Elgin and made for our target.

The aim of this recce was to visit Mr. Andre Guilbault. Andre met us at the specified time (navigation well done by Clive (Mr. Evasive)) and gave us the royal tour of his facilities. We were very impressed with the facilities and the high quality of his restorations.

After the foot tour, we sat down for a small lunch served with wine (an Ontario vintage - we presume in our honour). Stories were swapped, contact made (the real aim of this trip) and even some money changed hands. The boys will sound off on their purchases if they wish...

Bob picked up some nice little knick-nacks, Grant got some CMP parts, and Clive joined the hobby with gusto. Alas, I came away empty handed, as 45 HUP parts are few and far between in this vast country.

After settling accounts, we loaded up and headed back to Ottawa by way of Montreal (I highly recommend the "Arret" sign (known as a Stop sign in France) tour. With Bob acting as tour guide (Clive was contemplating his navel), we finally made it to the 401 and back home.

A great trip! Andre was a fine host and a great representative of our hobby in West Quebec. We are looking forward to meeting more of the mil vehicle hobby group in Quebec.

The walking tour (note that Clive is the only one in step):



Bob sitting in somebodys "new" toy:

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally posted by RHClarke


The walking tour (note that Clive is the only one in step):

Bob sitting in somebodys "new" toy:

As a former Guards officer of course I was the only one in step.

Message to Bob; "I don't go to your place and sit in your trucks!!!" (oh, hang on, I do go to your place and sit in your trucks.)

Yes, this fine looking M38A1 is now bought and paid for by yours truly. I will leave it at Andre's over the winter and then bribe Boobie to do a recovery. Manuals from Alex are already on order. Although it is not a CMP I am prepared to offer outrider service for future CMP convoys.

I also thought that it might make a better cover for the M38A1 book that is currently in preparation;

Current proposed cover


Alternate cover

[maple_leaf_eh]

Clive, that makes two more new M38A1 owners in the city. The race now will be to see whose is finished first.

Ditto on Alex's manuals. He very promptly found three I will need, and one of which will be bedtime reading for the next 6-mos while I am separated from my dependants, furniture & effects.

I had a very good reception from a fellow in the Transport Hanger at Uplands. We checked the CFR of my Jeep and pulled up a little information. With that I am about to file Access requests for the maintenance records and VMOs.

[Bob Carriere]

...... on his return Terry must be supplied with a Rotters hat and a visit to the "Barn"

Safe trip..... will be waiting for you!!!

Bob......
................ and all the other little rotters.

[RHClarke]

Bob and Grant continued the clean up and wood cutting on Saturday. Grant took apart his tranny and started some work on his engine block.


On Monday, Bob and I fiddled around the barn and tackled some small jobs - Grant had work to do elsewhere. I reattached the window frames to my HUP doors, pounded out a bunch of dents on my sliding roof hatch, and did some grinding. It was off to lunch at Chez Marie, and then back at it. Bob finally put the burn barrel out of its misery - now we have to fab up a new one...He then dragged a truck to the newly cleared area outside of the barn. We erected the frame for a shelter but did not get around to putting up the tentage as duty called - Bob had to string some Christmas lights, and I had to head for home.

[Bob Carriere]

Rob left me holding the tent frame....... Geez I hope he is coming back soon 'cause I really got to go bad...... and it's cold and wet here now.......

Boob