Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Moving on from the trilogy in four parts that was the TAC sign, I started getting nose panel ready to attach.
Side vents 1.jpg
Side vents were treated to a strip of foam seal. Then I began re-installing the vents themselves, and made the re-discovery that hole size of the vent hinge and where it attaches to the nose are very much different. The little 'collars' that were in here had been thrown out as they were badly corroded.
Side vents 2.jpg
Here's a little wrinke which you may find useful! I discovered that steel fuel line is EXACTLY the right size to fit into the vent portion, and was a firm fit to the size of bolts I was planning to use. Firm but not tight enough to stop free movement of the vent during use. Just be sure to cut the fuel line a 'bees dick' thicker than the gauge steel on vent. That way the vent won't stick once bolt is tightened.
Side vents 3.jpg
I'm happy with the finished result. Low tack tape was used around the vent edge and nose panel opening, so I didn't damage paint while getting the fit correct.
Nose panel seals 2.jpg
I glued rubber stripping along the nose panel edges. There was no functional way I could use a single piece of rubber, so made the join at corners in a way that is intended to stop water from 'wicking' between the rubber pieces and into the cab. Little did I know that once bolted onto the cab front, there would still be gaps between cab and nose, even with the rubber. Very small gaps, but gaps none the less. I had even thought to ensure nose panel would be straight along that edge but it didn't make any difference. Guess the whole idea was a moot point really. I could use a silicone sealer, but it may get messy. I am not neat with that stuff!
Nose panel seals 1.jpg
The seals around the wheel arches worked considerably better.

More to come...

[Keith Webb]

Very much enjoying your description of the process, especially the fresco bit!

Incidentally do you have the upper bar for your front shell? It's supposed to be welded in but was often cut off to allow engine removal.

You do realise you will have to start another restoration once you've finished this one. Our lives will be empty without the daily updates.

[Luke R]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

You do realise you will have to start another restoration once you've finished this one. Our lives will be empty without the daily updates.

Cab 11 or 12 maybe?
Your doing a fantastic job, keep it it up

[Private_collector]

Funny you should say Cab 12.

I 'found' one recently, while taking the boy for a driving lesson.

Not in really good shape..............but nothing new there.

Seriously, after I finish this truck I want to make a replica gun to tow behind it, maybe even an AA gun for the back. That would be nice. Would give the tailgaters the shits too, if aimed right Swines!

[Little Jo]

Hi Tony

Nice work interesting following your thread. Are you doing the vehicle up as a South Australian vehicle as the Platypus over the Boomerang denotes a SA based Unit.

Cheers

Tony

The 9th Australian Infantry Division, a white Platypus and Boomerang on a black ground. The Platypuswas taken from the 1937 9d (Nine Penny) Stamp. A brief history- Formed in 1940, was sent to the Middle East, allocated garrison duties while the 6th and 7th Divisions were sent to Greece, saw action in the battle for El Alamein alongside the British 8th. Army. More famously known as the Rat's of Tobruk, returned to Australia, then on to New Guinea after being reequipped, and fought against the Japanese in and around Finschafen, Lae, the Ramu and Markham Valleys and Madang alongside the 7th Division. Was later moved to Borneo and saw more action against the Japanese until the end of the War.

[Private_collector]

Tony,

The sign is a Division sign only. In this case it is 9th Division as you have said. It does not represent any particular unit.

9th Division had many battalions from all over Australia, certainly including S.A.

Your information on deployment is correct, but it is not specifically from any one state.

T.

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Tony,

The sign is a Division sign only. In this case it is 9th Division as you have said. It does not represent any particular unit.

9th Division had many battalions from all over Australia, certainly including S.A.

Your information on deployment is correct, but it is not specifically from any one state.

T.

Hi Tony

I stand corrected. I was given wrong drum. Your vehicle will represent a top fighting Division with a good record of awards.

The 9th Division was the most highly decorated of the four AIF divisions raised during the war. Seven of its members received the Victoria Cross, the nation's highest award for gallantry.

Military decorations awarded to members of the 9th Division include:

7 Victoria Crosses (VC)
41 Companion of the Distinguished Service Orders (DSO);
Order of the British Empire: 9 Officers of the Order (OBE) and 29 Members of the Order (MBE)
119 Military Crosses (MC)
57 Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM)
212 Military Medals (MM)
9 British Empire Medals (BEM)
611 Mentioned in Dispatches

My 1942 Willys Jeep also proudly displays the Tac Signs for 9 Div. And was well received by veterans of the 2/10th in this years Anzac Day March.

Cheers

Tony

[Private_collector]

Getting the nose panel onto the truck initially took three people. The boy and I holding an end each, and Mrs B putting in enough bolts to stop it from amputating my toes when we let go.
Pedal plate installation 1.jpg
Once in place, I saw that the driver side foot well didn't fit right. The bit nearest the engine cover would NOT go in as far as the pedal plate required it to be. Despite some careful whacks with first a rubber mallet, then a ball pein hammer, and finally a large and loud outburst of swearing, it STILL WOULD NOT GO IN. By now I had caused some damage. Rubber burns from the mallet, and lots of paint removed by the hammer.

The swearing was getting out of hand (so my wife said. I thought it was just right amount), so I switched from english to Italian, Estonian & German. I don't actually speak any of these fluently (effluently ), but I know sufficient curse words in foreign language to get my head punched in, all around the globe!
Pedal plate installation 2.jpg
Then I had an epiphany. I drilled a hole through the offending parts, and pulled them together with the tightening of the bolt. Propper job! What a shame this didn't occur to me prior to buggering the paint to extent that it will need to be sanded and repainted!
Pedal plate installation 3.jpg
By this time of the afternoon, I had re-offended my shoulder to the extent that it would only communicate with me in sharp bursts of morse code, and crouching down to tighten the inner bolts was a fairly painful and unrewarding experience.

More to come...nearly done!

[Private_collector]

G'day Keith! Yeah I have that bit, but ran out of sunlight and motivation before I got it back on. I really wanted to put the grille on temporarily, even though the shroud isn't done yet. I need to put the Ford badge onto the grille first. I dropped it the other day, but it fell writing side up (the way that buttered toast DOESN'T) and wasn't damaged. Bonnet needs a set of shims made and it's ready to go on then also.
Signage 1.jpg signage 2.jpg signage 3.jpg signage 4.jpg
The final task today was sticking the vehicle numbers on nose and doors. I wasn't sure about the font when I first received these from U.S.A, but they kind of grew on me, so I thought I would go ahead with them. It was cheaper to buy these from USA, as opposed to buying local. That's just amazing. Putting 'em on was no problem as I had dabbled in computer-cut signage some years ago. Ah the memories! Wish I had kept the sign cutter.

The sun had gone down but I wanted to get the numbers on TODAY, so I hooked up an old floodlight for ambiance. Because of the steaming turd of a day I had suffered, and because the numbers are my Fathers' service numbers, I was determined to finish the day on a positive note. To be frank, I would have fired up the old kerosene lamp if I had to do so to get the job done. When I stood back and took a good look, I have to confess I got a bit choked-up, and was thinking Dad would have loved to see this vehicle finished. He's been gone 6 years now and I guess at this time he would love to see any vehicle I suppose.

I went from sadness to having a little chuckle, when I realised that Dads' service number when applied to the CMP, looks quite like the phone number you would ring to order a taxi.

I am expecting a TAC plate to arrive this week. Hope to get someone to cut me a chunk of metal for the unit & 'PASS' signs to go onto. I may take next weekend off as far as CMP work goes, to allow shoulder to settle down a bit. Mind you, I did say that last Saturday too.
spotlessly clean.jpg
And Lynn said I would never be able to keep the workshop clean!?!?

I swear I will NEVER restore another vehicle of this size and weight again...............so if anyone has an old Saturn V rocket that needs doing up, send me a message!!!!!!!

Ende