Project F15

[Howard]

G'Day all,
The following photo is the F15 that was my Grandfather's and I now intend to get back on the road. I would love some advice & feedback from the wonderful community of MLU.
Keith has been a great help to me, before meeting him I did not know the first thing about model ID. Still learning! Keith tells me this particular unit is rare for Aus, what is the story in other parts of the world?
Initially my intension was to simply rebuild & make the vehicle roadworthy & street registered. But if the old girl is rare, I feel I have an obligation to restore it to original specs, paint scheme, etc.? This would involve 'undoing' several modifications made to the vehicle by my Grandfather. For example the winch mount position. (The crane set-up is definitley going).
Your thoughts?
Howard.
Advice on spelling not necessary...

[Howard]

For example, these seats don't appear to be original. Or are they simply different to what I am used to seeing?
1. floor mounts.
2. Rear cab join is recessed at rear of seats. Is this a modification?

[Howard]

See also rifle butt holder made of timber (above). Others I have seen have been metal. There is only one holder on the floor each side and no evidence of a second being fitted, however the upper mounts have two rifle retainers.....

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Howard
Your thoughts?

Howard,

First of all, I have been following the thread on the Ganmain auction, and I must say I am amazed by what a man can collect in a lifetime. Hats off to you and your family & friends to acually sift through all this sh!t and try to find a good home for it all. Most inheritors would simple call the scrapman and let him take it all away!

Yes, it is a rare truck, not only in Australia. The cargo body is of the 2B1 type, the second type used on 15-cwt CMP trucks (see Colin Stevens' site). I understand you feel obliged to restore it to original specs, but wouldn't it be a fitting tribute to your grandfather to restore the F15 to a condition in which he used it? From Keith's web page I learn there are quite extensive modifications anyway (2 speed rear axle, 20" wheels, winch), so it will be quite a job to turn it back to factory specs. Getting rid of the crane is sensible if you want to be able to drive it over any distances.

Anyway, those are my thoughts (worth exactly €0,02). Good luck with the project and keep us posted!

Hanno

[Howard]

Thanks Hanno, I respect your opinions and welcome them at any time. What of the other two posts. Do they appear to be modifications as I suspect?
Howard.

[Tony Smith]

The seats are from another vehicle of another period (not Blitz!), however, the cutout in the angle iron of the joint in the rear cab wall/roof IS original.
I think the good news is that you are going to restore it. Restoring it to original specs would be great, but you know the history of the vehicle and it did many more years service in the family's business than it ever did in the Army. That history ought to be saved, too.

[Keith Webb]

This is a Ford interior and you can see the seat in it, also the cutout in the rear cab join:



If you go to the page and click on the picture you will see a large image.

[alleramilitaria]

it looks like you have a great start to a practical pice of WWII tin. keep up the great work.

[Max Hedges]

Howard if you would like to see some more cab 12 bits I do happen to have a few as I started to restore a 3 tonner, if you are in the Yass area be sure to call in.
Max

by the way I would have the right seat frames

[Howard]

Thanks Max I will definitley call in one of these days, I travel through Yass a few times a year. Also work with James Painting who was from up your way, he went to school with your Emma?
I will be in touch when next up that way.
Cheers
Howard

[Howard]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
Restoring it to original specs would be great, but you know the history of the vehicle and it did many more years service in the family's business than it ever did in the Army. That history ought to be saved, too.

Thanks for your input Tony. I am beginning to feel a easier about 'rebuild' rather than 'restore'. I thought I would upset people by NOT doing a faithful original spec restoration but it seems that is not the case.
Cheers Howard

[Max Hedges]

also I remember people from Yass going to visit your grandfather, likes of old joe bush and are you related to the holgates at Dalton.

Max

[Howard]

Max, My Grandfather Allan (Also known as A.A) bought heaps of Blitz trucks at army disposal auctions. They were transported by train to Ganmain & he sold hundreds of 'em all over the countryside. I was told by someone (not sure who now) that they remember coming to Ganmain & seeing a heap of trucks being unloaded at the rail yards which were directly across from the shed. I have been lead to believe the Holgate Garage was THE place for Blitz sales, service & parts. Who knows I am enjoying all of this so much it may become that way again!
And yes we are related to the Dalton Holgates. About 4 generations removed. My side thought wheat would be better than sheep. Poor decision.
A Blitz would probably be one of the newest vehicles Dalton, wouldn't it?

[Howard]

Fitted to the floor on the passenger side is a grab handle on a swivel. (Also known as a "SH!T" bar). Is this standard or prehaps an idea from the days when the blitz was being used as a shooting rig for 'roos, pigs & emus?

[Keith Webb]

Yep, that's supposed to be there.

[JackM]

Known in some circles Howard, as the 'panic strap'. The driver had a piece of rubber above his head, the passenger got a. handle

Jack

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all
This handle is the religious contribution that the CMP makers added to their truck. In momemts of driving panic the passenger would grab this handle and pray loudly to "Jesus". Hence it is known as the 'Jesus Handle".
Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

BTW Howard
How about an image of the instrument panel?
Bob

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Salesman Bob
BTW Howard
How about an image of the instrument panel?
Bob

I wonder where this might be leading...?

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Keefy
I don't know to what you are alluding, this is purely Research and Development on a high academic plane.
Professor Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Or is that plain?

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Hi Keefy
I don't know to what you are alluding, this is purely Research and Development on a high academic plane.
Professor Bob

OK Prof, this is what it looks like... or at least should...



I'm sure Howard can bring it back to it's former glory with some jif and steel wool.

[Max Hedges]

Howard every now and then we take a blitz for a drive to Dalton just to give the locals something to talk about.
Max

[Howard]

Originally posted by Max Hedges
Howard every now and then we take a blitz for a drive to Dalton just to give the locals something to talk about.
Max

Max, a different vehicle driving through Dalton would keep 'em talking for days wouldn't it? I went to a reunion thingy there several years ago. The newest car there was like 5 years old. Not that there seems to be a lack of money around there. Very nice people who go at their own pace. Sort of wish that I was more like those cousins.

[Howard]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
BTW Howard
How about an image of the instrument panel?
Bob

Sorry Bob it is gone.
Keith check your pics from the visit you made. The grey cab12 out the farm... (the one that isn't there... but is...) had an instrument cluster in it. You never posted any pics of that truck on your web site or mine. Do you still have them?
HH

[Keith Webb]

Yes I do... I'll dig them out when I have a few minutes.

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Howard
Sorry Bob it is gone.
Keith check your pics from the visit you made. The You never posted any pics of that truck on your web site or mine. Do you still have them?
HH

He was keeping quiet on that one, Howard!

[Howard]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Hi Keefy
I don't know to what you are alluding, this is purely Research and Development on a high academic plane.
Professor Bob

Pardon me, I may be naive, but it seems I am the only one who cannot see where this line of questioning is leading...

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Howard
Pardon me, I may be naive, but it seems I am the only one who cannot see where this line of questioning is leading...

Bob isn't called "Salesman" for nothing! Bob, as he will tell you has a sideline doing instrument panel restorations for CMPs and other period vehicles.

C'mon, Bob, fess up!

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Je moi mais Monsieur je suis trop timide pour glorifier mes qualifications dans ce secteur.
Bob