Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

After much playing around with different fonts, these are the ones which may suit. The military directions regarding font size and type are making it VERY hard to keep this historically accurate. When using the correct height and width of font for the unit numbers, it fills the entire plate, leaving bugger all space either side. And thats with a font that is still a little smaller than specified. This problem is due in no small part to the signage I need for my Fathers unit, 29-46 Inf Btn.

It's a bit like 'Goldilocks'
TAC sign 4.jpg
This one's too small.....
TAC sign 5.jpg
This one's too big....
TAC sign 6.jpg
This 'bastardised' version, while not entirely following the regulations, does match two similar plates I have seen in original photos where the unit had a lot of numbers to fit on the plate. So I guess this one could be......Just Right Maybe. I'm over it for now
TAC sign PASS.jpg
On a happier note, this mock-up of the PASS side of the plate looks just about right compared to the drawings as shown in military regulations documents.

Once I settle on my requirements, I will take the 'mock-ups' to sign cutting place on Monday afternoon. They will probably tell me "Oh no sir, we don't have any of those fonts. At which point I will strike them roughly.....and run away laughing insanely

[Private_collector]

Thanks Keith,

I was hoping that was the case with those holes.

I'll call into the local rubber shop next week.

I was in two minds about the sheeting under the bonnet too. I thought about it for a long while and came to the decision that I won't worry about the under bonnet writing. The poor old truck is now made up of so many trucks, and the chassis shortened to something between F60 & F15 length, that I wouldn't try to represent it as any particular spec. I will assert it to retain a 1942 build year, but even that is drawing a long bow if you stop to think of the numerous parts that must be from other years. Mind you, those dates are rarely identified for certain.

[Keith Webb]

Sounds like a sensible plan Tony.

But you really will have to do another... next time you'll find an intact CMP with everything original and unmolested... I'm convinced there are more waiting to be discovered in farmers sheds around Australia.

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Thanks Keith,

I was hoping that was the case with those holes.

I'll call into the local rubber shop next week.

I was in two minds about the sheeting under the bonnet too. I thought about it for a long while and came to the decision that I won't worry about the under bonnet writing. The poor old truck is now made up of so many trucks, and the chassis shortened to something between F60 & F15 length, that I wouldn't try to represent it as any particular spec. I will assert it to retain a 1942 build year, but even that is drawing a long bow if you stop to think of the numerous parts that must be from other years. Mind you, those dates are rarely identified for certain.

[Private_collector]

TAC sign 6.jpg
Having remarked that the applicable unit sign I am using for the restoration looks like a mathematical problem, I decided to 'work it out' for my own amsement. Calculators are a wonderful thing

I was astonished to find that while the 'answer' was a negative number, it worked out to be the EXACT calibre of the Lee Enfied rifles carried by the soldiers. That being .303......etc.

Isn't that just the strangest thing!!!

[hrpearce]

Tony do you also like watching letters and numbers on SBS?

[Private_collector]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Tony do you also like watching letters and numbers on SBS?

I have seen that show at times, but don't watch it regularly.

Not mathematically talented, me.

T

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Tony do you also like watching letters and numbers on SBS?

The only positive about that show is the girl who places the letters on the wall If she wasn't there , I think I'd rather watch paint dry than watch that show .

Richard Morecroft , the host, should have flown away with is friend Archie, the flying fox , years ago. Or was it a Wombat !

Mike

[Private_collector]

This afternoon I called into my local Sign-a-rama store and left the master copy of each of the unit & PASS signs.

There is a fair chance the signs may be ready for me to pickup tomorrow afternoon. I will call into an auto supplies store tomorrow too, and buy a darker red for the unit marking side of the plates. The engine red I have now is just too bright in color.