1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[RichCam]

Guys, it has been a busy summer and I'm spent a good portion of September on the Wire 5 project. We had problems with the HEI coil and electronic ignition/distributor system on the 250 engine. I pulled it out and replaced it with a more traditional mechanical points, distributor and coil. Next, we couldn't figure out why I kept loosing acceleration, especially under load. We discovered a major vacuum leak in the carbutor so I pulled that out too and replaced it. Now the engine runs tickety-boo. Smooth idle, no smoke and much more simple plumbing - just the one vacuum line to the vacuum advance.
With the chassis running properly, it was time to lift out the Radio Box this morning and get it on the frame!

[RichCam]

So, the C-15A originally was retrieved from the Minett area, the Wire 5 Radio Box was retrieved from a junk yard in Emsdale. I'm not sure if these two components were ever together but if they were, it would have been 70 years ago! Even if they weren't together, the Wire 5 Radio Box fit onto the C-15A chassis like a glove. Once it was U-bolted in place, I took the unit out for a spin! Does it ever ride NICE! 35 mph, 4th gear, 1/2 throttle - lights on, windows and vents open. After over 2 years of work, it sure is FANTASTIC to go out for a drive! Many thanks to Jim, Steve and Scott for their help with this project!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Rich,

Congrats on the restoration - sure looks great!

Hanno

[Robert Bergeron]

Great achievment Richard !

Congratulations for a job well done.

Cheers.


Robert

[RichCam]

Thank you for the congrats! It was feelings of relief and some sadness that I experienced as I drove the C-15A Wire 5 onto the flatbed for it's journey to it's new owner. I'm glad to say that it is now in very good hands and that I look forward to seeing pictures of the restored interior, complete with radio gear. Here are some pictures of the tie down and departure. Now, on to the next project……..MK-1* or MK-II*?????

[Peter Duggan]

Richard,

It was a great motivator reading your updates on the F15A wireless truck. I hope that you do write a thread on your next project.

Peter

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

Thanks to Richard's excellent work , the truck is running and functional.

I am taking over the restoration of the box. I have removed the interior wood paneling thus exposing the bare aircraft aluminium.

I have cleaned everything up ready for a layer of aviation zinc chromate primer.

That will be in my next report.

Stay tuned and thanks again to Richard for the excellent work.

Robert