Our LRDG Chev

[Andrew H.]

Thanks Lynn,
Well that settles it then. Brakes are too important to take short-cuts and in any case if single-flaring is illegal there is no option but to double-flare. Thanks everyone for putting us back on the straight and narrow! Its a good example of why this forum is such a great resource.
Andrew

[Andrew H.]

Yesterday we were lucky to have our friend Neil (red jersey) come along to double-flare our brake lines. He is a retired A-Grade mechanic of 40 years experience who has done this job a thousand times, so we are now confident that they have been done properly and will be reliable. Working conditions are difficult at present with wind and cold rain outside. We work in two sheds neither of which are very warm or weatherproof and they are separated by a muddy track. Roll on summer!!!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

... Working conditions are difficult at present with wind and cold rain outside. We work in two sheds neither of which are very warm or weatherproof and they are separated by a muddy track. Roll on summer!!!

And this is why Lucifer seems to be a preoccupation with the Hammond Barn gang. Sometimes making the workshop fit to work in is half the day.

[Andrew H.]

Today I cut a new stencil for the truck out of clear plastic sheet, scaling it off the photo. The designation T9 shows that "Te Aroha III" was the 9th Truck in T patrol of the LRDG. The letters T9 are white or desert-yellow on a matt black square and they are placed on the front RHS mudguard, the tailgate and both sides of the tray. I know you can buy ready-made stencils but I enjoy cutting them myself with a craft knife (especially inside by the heater on a miserable day like today!). I have already made stencils for the truck number "L4618825" which appears on both sides of the bonnet, and "INSPECTED" which is on the front bumper. I could not cut out the centre of the "9" in the T9 stencil without leaving a big hole, so I will have to spray it on like that and then tidy it up with a small brush afterwards. Onwards and upwards.

[Andrew H.]

On reflection, I think the outline of my number "9" is a bit top-heavy and may need re-drawing, as we like to be as historically accurate as possible. My mates are suggesting that T2 would be more appropriate for "Te Aroha III" as the truck was re-numbered T2 for the Barce raid in which the LRDG destroyed thirteen enemy planes on Barce airfield and damaged many others. Nearly all of the trucks in T patrol (including "Te Aroha III") were destroyed by retaliatory enemy fighter attacks, as they scurried back to base after the raid.

[Igor Shadrin]

Hi Andrew,
Highly appreciated with your lovely project, and dreaming of my own...
Mind bringing my opinion...
The lower part of the "9" character at your drawings seems to be a bit different:

[Andrew H.]

Thanks Igor,
Yes I agree with you and I have made a new drawing, which I think is more accurate. However, we may decide to use T2 instead - not sure yet.

[Ilian Filipov]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

... and "INSPECTED" which is on the front bumper.

Hi Andrew,
Yep, the front bumper was the usual place for this stencil on LRDG Chevies (where present), but the one who painted it on T9/L4618825/Te Aroha III apparently was in disagreement with the rules. Note on her the "INSPECTED" stencil is on the right fender, facing forwards, starts approximately behind the marker light and runs to the bonnet sides diagonally behind the headlight fairing, ending under the net/canvas/sandmats front bracket.
HTH
Cheers!

[Andrew H.]

Hi Ilian,
That's news to me! I will have another look at my photos. Or maybe you can refer me to the relevant photo?
Andrew

[Andrew H.]

Hey I have just noticed it. Well spotted Ilian !! I have never seen "inspected" placed there before, on any LRDG truck. We will have to change ours for historical accuracy.