Function test
 

Thank you so much Wayne . That’s an excellent App . Here we have the truck with both Chorhorses running and charging up the batteries . Next i will report on the noise both inside and outside .

79 Db
 

With the rear door and all windows closed , the generator compartment well sealed , both outside shutter doors wide open i had 79 Decibels while sitting in the radio operator seat facing forward .

100 feet from the box
 

Here is the reading at 100´ feet from the box at 66 Db . I had 73 Db standing 10 ‘ feet from the box immediately in front of the Briggs & Stratton muffler that’s just over the rear right tire . Tomorrow i will try with only one generator running .

noise tests day 2
 

Noise tests day 2 : With truck running and No 1 ( upper ) Chorehorse running . Operator ´s seat inside the box : 73 db . Outside 10 feet from truck : 79 db . 50 feet from truck : 69 db . 100 feet from truck : 61 db . I don’t see why the 2 generators would have to run at the same time anyway . The results are very similar with the truck engine not running by about 1 db .

Here is the reading with the truck engine and the No 1 ( upper ) Chorehorse running . Much more comfortable for the operators than with both generators running . The next test will consist of listening to radio transmissions while the No 1 or No 2 generator is running . I will need to put up a quick aerial on top , connect the No 19 set to the battery bank not being charged and listen to see what the legibility is.

Grant battery rack
 

Started building a rack for the so called Grant battery today . It’s the battery used to start the Onan generator . I used the original 4 holes in the floor of the box . Just overhead is the outlet conduit box for the pos & neg cables connected to the DC side of the generator . To the right , the dedicated tool & spares box for the 19 HP unit .

Battery rack done and painted .

Painted generator compartment today
 

Finished applying the final coat of paint inside the generator compartment ( fridge ) today ..

A fresh coat of paint
 

Repaired all the holes and scuffs with plastic wood and gave the walls , ceiling and accesories a fresh coat of semi-gloss white paint . If she were a girl i would say she looks pretty .

Girl or not, looks pretty to me....and busy!!

Question, what did you use for the floor covering?

Plywood Bruce . No way i was getting my feet cold on steel even if it was lined with Dektread or similar anti skid product .

Was there evidence of linoleum on it?

Negative on linoleum . I have 2 boxes and both are bare metal . Some have talked of use of an anti skid paint called Dektread . I don’t have a definitive answer on the original finish .

The AEDB design record describes the fliir of the 2K1 and 2K2 bodies as being "12 ga. H.R.B.A. steel plate covered with 1/8" Dektred."
That said, my 2k1 Body has embossed steel plate (diamond plate or similar) as flooring. I would expect that the embosed surface would cause rapid wear to any linoleum type covering. I've no idea whether Dektread (capitalized so probably a brand name rather than a generic description) is a sheet product like linoleum or an applied coating (though 1/8" sounds rather thick for anything brushed or rolled onto the plate).

Dektread was a Goodyear product developed for marine use. It was thick plasticized coating and was either trowled on or sprayed. We had some on an old gun tub that was a real pain to get off with a needle gun.

That's why I ask. 1/8" is typical linoleum thickness. Post war M152 radio vans (and M43 ambulances) had linoleum floors, and it apparently was durable enough. I'm having a hard time recalling what was on the floor of my ex 2K1 but recall some sheeting with similar properties to floor tiles.

I makes sense that on an untouched body the remnants of the flooring material should be evident in harder to reach places.

That said, I need a source for a piece of milk chocolate coloured 1/8" linoleum to cover my HUW radio table. The flour is painted metal checker plate but the table was brown linoleum.

My Wire 5 body has the remains of linoleum covering on the steel floor , like under the feet of the radio table , but it is very brittle from ageing , it looks as if it was glued on .

David Dunlop’s cypher clerk table drawing
 

Thank you for your remarks on the flooring Bruce & Maurice .Is Dektred still available , is there a substitute ? This (below) is pretty much what David has drawn . He saw dozens of these boxes at Princess Auto in the past . I am missing the metal trim and fiberboard top but that is coming . Thanks David.

1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration
 

Amazing restoration work and inspiring to see all of the individual pieces and components in their prescribed locations.

Thank you for your nice comments Ed, it makes it all worth it . Here we see the fiberboard for the table top freshly cut from this morning . I had to buy a whole 4 ‘ X 8 ‘ sheet just to get this tiny piece . It is the exactly the same fiberboard as i have found on top of my wireless table . A timeless product that goes by the trade name of Masonite . Tomorrow i will apply varnish ( Varathane ) ) to the fiberboard and it should look pretty much like original .

Next challenge : Stowage racks in back of the box
 

The next challenge is to reproduce the stowage shelving in the left rear corner of the box . I took the pictures at the War Museum in Ottawa . They are from the late Me André Gibeau truck , God may have his soul .Could someone who has seen trucks in their original condition tell me if they are representative of the real thing ? Me Gibeau , i respectfuly suggest took some noticeable artistic liberties while restoring his truck and i wonder if the shelving is period correct .

More pictures

Looks legit to me. More of your masonite for shelves (but only maybe 3/8" thick) on 1" angle frames angled up (or is that camera distortion? I recall angled but it's been a long time) to help keep things put. Footman loops to the inside with 1" web straps. Looks like a 1" by 1/8" bar welded on the side so things don't fall out. Note for some reason on my pics all but the top one have been cut off....strange someone would do that. It seems the bottom is covered front and side. The front would have to be removable (why waste the space?) but it's not clear how it fastens or is removed....I can't see any pulls or clips. That is if he front cover is even supposed to be there.

Storage Rack
 

My wireless box has the same storage rack. Let me know if you require any dimensions.

Gord Falk
Steinbach Manitoba

Hi Gord , yes i do need dimensions please . I made some changes in the back there and repaired holes in the plywood and painted . Ready to receive the shelving . I will make them as soon as you can provide dimensions Gord . Thanks ! My experience with military vehicles is all empty space will be filled !

Storage Rack Dimensions
 

The storage rack is built from 3/4 by 1/16 inch angle iron.

Measurements from the top to bottom a total height of 52 inches, total width 25 1/4 inches, (not including the strengthening bar on the side)

The unit has 4 shelves, measurements from the top of the storage unit to the top of the angle iron shelf, shelves slope toward the back:

All measurements in inches

shelf front rear
1 8 9 1/2
2 18 1/5 20
3 29 30 1/2
4 39 1/2 41

There is a stiffing slat 7/8 by 1/8 welded to side of the storage rack, from the top edge to the top of the 4th shelf angle iron (40 1/2) inches). Mine is welded 6 inches from the forward edge of the storage unit at the top to the leading edge of the slat and 6 3/8 from the edge of the storage unit to the leading edge of the bar at the 4 shelf angle iron. Note this stiffening piece was not included in the overall width measurement.

There is a sheet metal wall on the side of the unit at the bottom to make an enclosed compartment. It is made from 1/16 sheet metal and has a 90 degree bend with a 3/4 flap. Mine measures 10 1/2 back by 11 3/4 front and 13 3/4 length to the 90 degree bend.

On the opposite side 1/16 piece of metal was bend 90 degrees (3/4 by 3/4) and welded unto the bottom angle iron.
At the front facing bottom, a 90 degree angle iron 23 5/8 inch length of was welded. This made the 1/4 pocket for the door to slide into.

There were 4 Masonite shelves 3/16. They were attached to the angle iron by screws 3 on the front and back and two on the sides. They were drilled to fit a 1/4 machine screw. The holes were 3 1/2 inch from the outside edge inward on both front and sides and a middle hole drilled at the front and rear at 12 5/8. The Masonite holes were countersunk to provide for a flat surface.

Each of the 4 shelves had a canvas strap on the front to secure the contents. The footman loops were attached to the inside of the angle iron frame. The placement of the footman loops when measured from the top of the frame to where the top bolt of the footman loop would attach is 2 1/2, 13, 23 3/4, 33 3/4. The footman loops are the same as used on the rest of the wireless installations. Note that the screw holes on the 4th shelf are recessed to allow the sliding door to be lifted upward without any interference. I am not sure of the sliding door construction.

There are also holes drilled on the back wall angle iron to attach the the back wall of the wireless box. Again measured from the top of the unit the holes would be at 1 1/16,7 1/2, 19 1/2,31 5/8. 38, same on both sides.

Let me know if you need any further information and probably will need some clarification on my notes.

Gord

Thank you soooo much Gord . Well done ! Q: What is the depth of the shelves ? What is the width of the cabinet side ? Any pictures of the enclosed section door ? Thanks again .

And are the shelves horizontal or angled up at the front? Me says yes.....

Bruce : Gord says they are angled . He provides heights rear and front : 8 & 9 1/2, 18 1/2 & 20 etc...

Sorry, I missed that. Nice to see my memory is intact!!