Lynx II, hull # 4225

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

Thanks for your comments. The acquisition and restoration of the Lynx has been a mind altering experience for myself. I have enjoyed the support of people from across the world, let alone here in Canada,

I view myself as a caretaker for the Lynx, not the owner. This is reflected in the amount of material and information that I have received. NOS parts that show up in the mail to an elderly gentleman who walks into my garage with an original Lynx part. It has been quite a humbling experience.

I will share a picture of a young man, who is a re-enactor for our local Hasty P's regiment with the Lynx at our FMVA Bivouac this past weekend. Truly rewarding.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

Got some more great pictures from Barry Churcher taken on the Normandy run in 2004 of Barry's C15TA and Dirk Leegwater's Lynx. Must of been a fantastic experience.

Of note are the Ontario plates on the Lynx. The Leegwater's Lynx is an early mark with rounded armour on the fuel tanks and different storage layout.

Enjoy, I did, Peter

[lynx42]

Nice photos, thanks for them. Something does not look right to me. I don't think the fuel tank covers are right for that type of cabin top. If they are the right ones then the cabin top with no roof is incorrect. The cabin top with the padded cushions around the top does not go with round tanks. This one has 3 hinges on the rear hatch which is an early Mark identifier, but round tanks were only on the first early Mark with the vertical radiator, not the horizontal one it has, and would have had a full length engine cover. I know that modifications were done as they came down the line so who actually knows what is right and what is not.

My lynx is a change over model which was modified during its build from vertical to horizontal radiator louvers and the shorter engine cover. You can see in many places where the have welded up holes and oxy cut other areas to fit the horizontal louvers and short engine cover. It has the same hinged covers on the lubrication points as Dirks which also points out that is is an early hull.

Having said that, I don't mean to be a rivet counter as I am so glad to see one on the road and Dirk has certainly helped me out with hard to get parts for mine.

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

Trailered the Lynx to CFB Kingston to support the Base's Family Fun day. Got to drive the Lynx around for a bit, but the true heroes of the event were Ryan Harriman's FV432 and Paul Hudson's Kaiser M35 that hauled hoards of "civilians" over a hilly course overlooking Fort Henry. Dave Muralt is at the controls of the FV432 in the attached picture, the blouse for the RCDs in the Italian campaign is also Dave's.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

In anticipation of finally getting new tires this winter I acquired an additional set of wheels. Now sandblasted, primed, painted and waiting. Still hoping to find a good set of Dunlop Trak Grips, if not new NDTs.
Made a pattern for the canvas top using heavy clear plastic, now to see if my friendly tent and awning manufacturer can make one with the heavy canvas that came from a deuce and a half.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

Jeff Church was able to stitch together a nicely fitting cover for the Lynx using my pattern. Also sewed in the stiffeners and riveted the webbing together. Used the Lynx 11 in the CWM for the pattern for the webbing. Now to try and find a pattern for the crash pads C19SR 111213 that surround the crew compartment - only need 20 !!!

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

I'm always on the search for period pictures of Lynxes in service. I recently came across this picture of an early Lynx. It must of been a painful moment for both the operator and the Lynx itself. Judging by the background I think it was taken in either Australia or New Zealand.

If anyone knows anything about this picture and the circumstances, it would be great to learn what took place.

Thanks, Peter

[lynx42]

Like you Pete, I am always on the lookout for Lynx photos and only last Friday evening I was filling in a bit of time and I went to our national Archives Newspaper site and came across these photos. I was not able to download them so out came the trusty phone. They are not as clear as I would have liked but I still have them now.

The first one shows Australian ARN.123817 in flight before the hard landing.




ARN.123892



One in a bit of bother. Can't distinguish the ARN.



A White Scout Car assisting the recovery.



Regards Rick.

[Peter Duggan]

Rick,

Many thanks ! I continue to be amazed at the power of the internet, forums such as MLU combined with the generosity of people such as yourself.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

Went on a road trip with Dan McCaw of Coe Hill fame to Vintage Tires in Hershey, PA. After years of procrastination, I came home with a set of STA 10.5' x 16's for the Lynx. By rights they should be 9:00 x 16's, but the chevrons won out.

I had our local tire shop mount the tires for me, they're used to odd ball agricultural equipment and claimed that they went on without a whimper. At 30$ per tire I felt it was money well spent.

The new STA's came in at 145 lbs for wheel and tire assembly while the old RF's came in at 220 lbs per set, for a weight reduction of 300 lbs. My back appreciates it.

The stance hasn't changed, but the Lynx now has a rakish look with the larger tires. No interference issues.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

The rain stopped for a day and I took the Lynx out for a run through our neighbor farmer's fields. Now to train the operator in the proper use of the clutch and choke.

Peter

https://youtu.be/keijwE_zTNk

[Jordan Baker]

Looks and sounds great.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

This pic is attributed to Bagnacavallo, Italy, January 1944. If true, the Lynx name should not be a regimental one. Or maybe it is a HQ one? Prove me wrong????

[David Herbert]

Bruce,
Isn't that a Daimler Dingo ? (Locker on side instead of fuel tank)
David

[Peter Duggan]

Bruce,

Thanks for the period picture of a Daimler Dingo. Every picture adds to our knowledge. Do you have any details of which unit the machine was with ?

I've noted that the Canadian troopers continued to use the term Dingo for both the Daimler and the subsequent Ford Lynx, while official documentation used the correct terms Dingo and Lynx.

Attached is an excerpt from a Hamilton newspaper that Jordan Baker sent me which talks about International Harvesters contribution to the war effort.

Peter

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Here's one more pic of a low flying Lynx. I am sure this was done only for publicity.
I think that if a regular driver treated his vehicle like this, he would be standing in front of the CO for explaining his misbehaviour.

[David Dunlop]

Hanno.

I think I have seen that photo before somewhere, the context of which was that it was one of a series taken by Ford of a Lynx being put through its paces by an employee on Ford’s Proving Grounds, somewhere in Ontario. Note the complete lack of markings on the Lynx.

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

I think I have seen that photo before somewhere, the context of which was that it was one of a series taken by Ford of a Lynx being put through its paces by an employee on Ford’s Proving Grounds, somewhere in Ontario. Note the complete lack of markings on the Lynx.

Hi David,

Indeed, hence my remark about publicity.

Hanno

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop
I think I have seen that photo before somewhere, the context of which was that it was one of a series taken by Ford of a Lynx being put through its paces by an employee on Ford’s Proving Grounds, somewhere in Ontario. Note the complete lack of markings on the Lynx.

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Hi David,
Indeed, hence my remark about publicity.
Hanno

Photo credit: Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. Oakville, Ontario.

"With four wheels off the ground, test drivers like Lawrence Perrault, give the scout car a thorough "dress rehearsal" for the war effort overseas. Scout cars were usually tested for about 75 miles before final inspection. The photo dates from 1942; the site - Ojibway Park."

There were fifty-six test drivers of the Ford Canada Department 159 listed in the June 1944 edition of the Ford Times.

Lawrence Perrault
Has been attached to Dept. 159 since 1936 and is now test driver and repairman. His brother Sydney works in Dept. 37.



Source:
Faces of Ford
The Windsor Years
Michael Gladstone WHITE
ISBN 0-9695320-4

[Keith Webb]

...appearing in front of the CO in a neck brace in a wheelchair...

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Here's one more pic of a low flying Lynx. I am sure this was done only for publicity.
I think that if a regular driver treated his vehicle like this, he would be standing in front of the CO for explaining his misbehaviour.

Attachment 103336

[David Dunlop]

Hmmm. I wonder how many parts were left behind at Ojibway Park?

David

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

John Carmichael, a new friend and fellow WW 11 militaria collector, shared some pictures that his father took during WW 11. John had seen my Lynx and thought that I would be interested. John has consented to my sharing them on MLU. Here is a small sampling of what John has, and I believe that he is looking for a good home for the remainder.

Peter

[Alex van de Wetering]

Peter,

Good to see you are thoroughly enjoying your Lynx!

Couple more period pictures attached. All Netherlands 1945.


First one shows the parade in Amsterdam. Source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/

Second picture taken in the North-East of the Netherlands...in Eenrum. http://beeldbankgroningen.nl//

Last picture is taken in Leeuwarden. Source: https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/

Alex

[Peter Duggan]

Alex,

Thank you once again for sharing these, new to me, Lynx photographs. Each and every picture adds to our knowledge.

I am particularity interested in the unofficial stowage, extra storage containers, heavier firepower, slings stowed outside for easier access and the damage to the front bin.

One question, does anyone know the purpose of the eyelets on the front and side bins and hull? Were they intended for securing the camouflage net when in use ?

Thanks once again, Peter

[Hanno Spoelstra]

NZ Div Cav Italy Ford Lynx followed by an MW Bedford

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

NZ Div Cav Italy Ford Lynx followed by an MW Bedford

Attachment 103570

Interesting from a wireless perspective. The W/T 19 'A' set is being operated with a single 4' aerial F section...obviously meaning shorter range but better concealment. They are not using the B set', perhaps relying on the A set for intercommunication between troop vehicles.

[David Herbert]

Bruce,
Good observation but of course they might not be doing this out of choice. They could simply have run out of usable aerial sections, they are relatively fragile.

David

[David Dunlop]

Is that a Daimler or Staghound at the left rear of the photo?

David

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Is that a Daimler or Staghound at the left rear of the photo?

David

Staghound I think.

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

While I would not suggest this stuff for heavy service applications, it certainly works for cosmetic repairs. The Lynx has two of it's original gun rests that had weathered dramatically since 1944. I applied several coats of this stuff and it has restored them to the point that I put them back in service.

Peter