The weatherman was calling for the building of arks. Fortunately for the Ottawa area, the storm front split east and west of us, drenching Montreal and keeping Kingston damp.
Bob, Grant and I took advantage of the fair weather to further our projects. Bob continued work on the world's strongest rolling engine stand. Grant pulled his transfer case to check it out, and I played with the prototype HUP.
While all of this was going on, we were surprised to see Clive standing by. The aim of his surprise visit was to put some of his rolling stock to bed for the winter. After sorting out his shelter, it was loaded up and sealed enough to keep the coming snow outside. Clive then showed off some his recent publications (see more at:
http://www.servicepub.com/) including one on the Churchill tank. This got Bob's attention as earlier on in his youth, Bob was instrumental in saving one of two Churchill bridge layers, one of which is on display at the Canadian War Museum. We all donned our helmets and listened to a "war story" that should be written down sometime in the future.
Following Clive's departure, we all got back at what we do best - pulling things apart and rebuilding them (sometimes more than a few times). I removed the sliding hatch guide rails from the prototype roof. It turns out that roof is in rougher shape than I had originally thought. The leading edge of the roof, most of where the rain gutter meets the roof line and all of the areas under the sliding hatches guide rails will have to be replaced.
Bob suggested that the front edge metal of the roof should be replaced with a better version from one of the many roofs we have at the barn. The discussion turned to where to cut and the best area to reweld. When it came time to compare the roof lines it was discovered that the production model HUP roof leading edge was stamped, whereas the prototype roof was hand formed and welded. The profiles are quite different - the production model is rounded and somewhat taller. The prototype roof leading edge is flatter, and has a visible sharp line where the roof metal was cut and welded.
A new plan was devised. I will save as much of the original roof as possible and weld in patches where needed. Fortunately, the welded side ends of the leading edge of the roof are in good shape. Other areas were not so lucky - see follow on photos.
I know what I will be doing this winter.
Photos:
1 - The boys spend some time waxing eloquent over the 235.
2 - Bob: "We need more steel". Grant: "We need more attachment points". The stand is now escape-proof.
3 - Prototype HUP front roof hatch damage.
4 - Prototype roof showing rust damage that occured under the tar that was slathered on the rail guides.
5 - More damage near the large rear hatch.