2010 at the Hammond Barn

[maple_leaf_eh]

Just wanted to thank Guy for his help today sewing up some surplus modular tentage for my M38A1 shelter. The UV rays have made my poly tarps too brittle to serve another winter. But thanks to Greg Wright for the tent parts and to Guy for running the canvas through his sewing machine for the repairs. The shelter has a new skin now.

[RHClarke]

It was a busy weekend for the Hammond crew. Saturday was spent in La Belle Province at the Sorel Car show and shine (losts of show, but not too much in the way of soleil). The car show included a lot of classic American muscle cars, but we stopped by to visit a few members of the "Blue Ball Express" to discuss things CMP and to explore the possibility of a repeat visit by the Express next summer to Hammond.

After walking the grounds, we made our way to the back of the lot in the tree line. There we found the folks we were seeking out. We got a good look at Gerry Boucher's well restored CMP truck. Interestingly, his truck sported some tires made by Gateway. They are commercial tires but look the part. Gerry mentioned that he was unable to find other Gateway tires and had to go to Speciality Tire to get a sprare 10.50 X 16.

After drooling over the various CMPs and Jeeps, we made our way to the 3ieme Batterie d'Artillerie de Montreal and met with CWO (ret) Gilles Aubé and his 25 Pounder Gun Detachment. After a tour of the Gun/Howitzer, Bob became an Honourary 3rd Battery Gunner when he fired his first 25 Pounder blank round.
It took the rest of the day for Bob to loose the SEG, and he was still smiling when we hit the road back to Hammond. We made a quick stop into the famous Bar B Barn in Montreal's west end. After stuffing ourselves silly, we made for Ottawa.

On Sunday, Bob and Grant cleaned out the barn and did some maintenance on the tractor. Today was moving day. We moved some gravel around Bob's driveway and filled in our versions of Lakes Ontario and Erie near the barn. Joyce must have felt sorry for us and ordered us to sit down to a great lunch.

Next we moved Bob's antique tractor to the front of the barn and then moved his shelter to the side of the barn next to the Prototype shelter. Bob moved his "Marina" CMP into the shelter and buttoned it up for the winter. After that fun, we extracted a few studs from a HUP front drum. The first one came out with some damage to the threads that left us in a bit of a quandry. Grant's sharp eyes noticed that there were thin locking wires retaining the spacers surrounding the studs. After they were extracted, stud number two came out with no damage. It will be making its way westward tomorrow to fill a special order.

It was a full weekend and we took advantage of the so-so weather to get things organized before the fall floods. There is still a lot to do including: more pothole filling, tree cutting, wood splitting, seacan moving, and of course CMP restoration projects. Ain't life grand???

Pic One: Gateway tires? Anyone know this manufacturer?
Pic Two: Bob and Gerry getting the low down on Gerry's truck.
Pic Three: Artilleur Bob Carriere just before "popping his cherry".

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

Pic One: Gateway tires? Anyone know this manufacturer?
Pic Two: Bob and Gerry getting the low down on Gerry's truck.
Pic Three: Artilleur Bob Carriere just before "popping his cherry".

Rob.
gateway tires have been around for a hundred years..I believe they were a division of Dunlop..but they were also a big tire distributor..
Here are so good mudders from Gateway and some blog...

http://www.offroaders.com/reviewbox/...hp?product=746

[RHClarke]

This was a SEG weekend. Both Bob and I had a chance to take our CMPs out for a little run. On Saturday, I took the 45 HUP out and about Bob's back 40 acres. The transfer case works well! Once in 4WD, the HUP seemed unstoppable - but I kept in mind the amount of $, time and effort put into this truck, so nothing "wild" was attempted. Bob on the other hand, decided to take his truck up the side of a mountain of wood chips...next time, I will bring the video camera.

Grant spent a good amount of time restoring the frame of his 3/4ton trailer. That thing will be much better than new when he finishes it. Bob concentrated on installing his 10.50 x 16 tires on his C15 rims. 3 down, 1 to go. I kept busy with wiring the nose of the truck with the excellent wiring loom provided through the services of Phil Waterman. Top notch material that looks the part. As well, I sandblasted the door handles we got on our visit to Sorel earlier this month. Have you ever noticed that when you sandblast chrome plating, it looks like there is a flame near the area being blasted? Cool effect.

Every once in a while I do some work on the prototype. This week I managed to free up the roof in preparation for removal. The plan is to weld the roof section (complete) onto a jig and then put it on a rotisserie for weld repairs. I am toying with the idea of welding in complete new panels as opposed to cutting out the rust holes (many) and welding in patches. Any advice would be appreciated.

The weather this weekend was fabulous! Most of the bugs even seemed to take the weekend off. I guess there is nothing that compares to hearing your truck merrily idling away as it warms up in anticipation of a short jaunt. Everything just seems to fall into place when I get behind the wheel of my Mistress. It’s the little things in life that makes it all worthwhile.

Photos:
1. "The Trailer Parts Boys" at work (which one is Bubbles????)
2. One happy puppy
3. Halfway thru the Prototype's Lobotomy
4. Bob entertains Guy - one of Bob's buddies from the days gone by
5. Bob just before comtemplating a career change as a stunt driver...

[Freewheels]

It was cool to see Bob again...still handsome after 33 years...and RHC didn't catch his better side...

Lots of good memories, Bob...Thanks...

Guy

[Phil Waterman]

Sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun. What no evidence of color in the leaves yet.

Cheers Phil

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun. What no evidence of color in the leaves yet.Cheers Phil

Hi Phil, While there is little evidence from the photos to suggest that Fall is on its way, some trees have indeed changed leaf colour. Saturday morning stated off rather cool (6oC) but warmed up to a great working temperature.

We are indeed having fun. I will be tackling the main wiring loom next. There appears to be a few challenges ahead - I will be reviewing Mark Perry's posting on his loom installation. Keep an eye out for photos!

R