1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[Robert Bergeron]

David,

Picture one is for you but unless you point me to a reputable source for me to get that kind of screen , no joy.

I played under the truck today and i am sore all over.

Found the original holes under the steel floor for the battery box brackets .

Installed the battery hold down brackets using the holes i drilled through the plywood floor using the original holes in the steel floor. Picture two and three. It is a tight fit for the battery boxes between the rods.

Found the original holes for the radio operator' s seat bracket . Drillled the plywood floor again from underneath and put in four 3/8 bolts to secure the seat bracket . Picture 4. We see them here but they are not tightened. Still trying to figure out how the seat base is attached to the bracket.

Worked on making a mock up of the Jerrycan holders that go under the rear bottom of the box to come up with some credible measurements to fabricate and weld later a proper unit. Picture 5 .


Bob , we will not discuss gross weight anymore please. It is a nightmare for HMV collectors here. Many thanks my good friend.

[Robert Bergeron]

More on the Jerrycan holder.

The steel rods are lined up with the original holes in the box support beams.

Is it not odd that the holder would be that wide just for one Jerrycan on both sides of the box ?

[Alex van de Wetering]

Is it not odd that the holder would be that wide just for one Jerrycan on both sides of the box ?

Hi Robert. I agree...it does look odd, but that being said I haven't checked any period pictures, so I don't know what the original setup would look like.

But, I think you shouldn't just look at straight rods, but more towards L-shaped strip. This would allow to either make the holder narrower for one jerrycan....or bigger if you turn them around and make a holder for two jerrycans.

Your current mockup looks like it could be a good fit for 2 POW cans stacked on top of eachother, but with a 1944 truck I think a holder for a jerrycan is more likely to be original spec.

By the way....are you sure the holes closest to the wheel are for the can holder? I think they could also be the holes for the strips holding the mud flaps(?)


Alex

p.s. Great to see a Wire5 coming back to life!

[David Dunlop]

Alex.

As you suggested, flat strap iron bent to accommodate two cans either side. Mud flap assembly mounts at front end of jerry can rack. Might even be one integral assembly.

David

[Robert Bergeron]

David my friend. Are you sure they have to fit 2 X 20 litre Jerrycans each side . That's a lot of fuel = 80 L ! Cheers. Robert

[David Dunlop]

Oh how I hate computer programs that try to anticipate what you are typing, and screw things up so much you lose your train of thought!

Two POW racks went under the rear corners of the 2K1, Robert. The left rear holds two cans: the rear most is the large Jerry Can, ahead of which and snugged up to the top is a 2 Gallon Water 'flimsy'. See Bill Gregg's "Vehicle Profiles No. 6 for a picture. This image also shows how the canvas mud flaps hang down from the racks.

On the right rear, a single Jerry Can was fitted in a rack. The racks are strap iron design and just wide enough to grip a full Jerry Can. Only one can will fit at the right rear without causing interference with the Gen Compartment exhaust muffler assembly.

David

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you for your good words Alex. I hope to drive the truck in the streets of Holland some day.I would use it to commemorate Canadian soldiers that fell in the Liberation of Holland during the day and as my camper at night

David you are a wealth of knowledge and i am very happy to have you as a reference. On that note , I am very happy to report have found a local source for diamond shaped steel grill .

Today drove into town with the truck ( 15 KM ) to a local welder's shop and ordered some steel plate and angle to fabricate the 2 side tool boxes and the 2 Jerrycan holders. Also, as David says ,
looking from the rear, on the left side there is also a Flimsy can tray in front of the Jerrycan holder.

Just to be sure here is a picture of some of my Canadian / British Jerrycans . Wich one are you refering to as a Flimsy please David ?

On my way back , took a detour and waved back at some ladies strolling on the sidewalk that looked at me on the right side of the truck in amazement.

Thanks for following this tread . Cheers.