How To: Restoration of Ford M8 armoured car US Ordnance number 7373

[Big D]

Hi James and David

Thanks for the replies. You have all got me thinking again now. I will have another look at the turret and see if there are a couple of holes that I can keep there to keep it interesting without detracting too much from appearance etc.

I'll keep you posted.

[James P]

Big D
Thats fair, give it some thought and (fingers crossed) you save a couple holes and impacts on turret front that relate to the vehicles service and history. The absolute beauty of owning a MilVeh is it can look a little rough around the edges and have that "lived in" look going on. I feel it would not be disrespectful to your efforts and work invested nor to the vehicle leaving it a little shot up. One thing I think is goofy are owners who put those magnetic bullet holes on their vehicle..... but hey folks can feel free to do as they wish its their ride.

A vehicle is only "factory new"......................once, so you can take a little licence representing it how it would look in service.

[Big D]

Hi James,

Yes, that is a very good argument and you have me convinced now. I'll save a couple of the best ones!

[James P]

Good man, now I have to start talking you into taking a small modeling paint brush and some silver paint to make the strikes look like fresh, bright, hits on the metal.........it is only paint and easy to undo but adds something to the "the look".

[Big D]

Hi James

Hmm...nice idea. That would look good. Have you considered becoming a salesman? You have missed your calling!

[James P]

Big D, many thanks for the kind words but I am just doing my humble part and offering advice, painting the splash marks and strikes the same subdued grey/silver as the brake cylinders would be just the ticket. Far and away better then those silly magnetic bullet holes folks here seem to have a thing for as you have actual hits on your armour.

[Big D]

Hi all,

Not a huge amount to report this time as I’ve been on an overseas holiday and then busy with a container load of goodies since we got back. Included in the container were some nice parts from Belgium and France (thanks to Jaap, Philippe and David) as per the pictures: 37mm ready rack, turret rear plate; some conduit, siren, NOS air cleaner; repro locker lids, oil pump, slave cylinder piston cups, and some other odds and ends.

I also managed to get hold of an air cleaner hose and headlight holder (thanks Roy) and acquired the correct driver seat (thanks Bill). With a bit of repair work the seat is now ready to fit. If nothing else, it has been a good time for collecting parts.

As far as the work on the turret goes, prior to doing some work on it, I did a wee exercise in tracking the bullet trajectories through the turret. After all the thought and discussion on whether to keep the bullet holes or not, I figured that I would keep those holes that told a story. As a result I have kept about 4-5 holes on each side of the turret where I could track the bullet through one side and then to, or through the other side. I figure that they will certainly be the basis of some discussion by observers. That was my logic anyway!

The few holes in the rear and front of the turret are now filled and the replacement pieces of turret skirt have been welded on. The skirt was going to be tricky for me as the replacement pieces I had were quite twisted so I got one of the guys in the engineering workshop to do this. It helps having the right equipment and expertise. The bearing faces that were damaged by bullets have been repaired and smoothed and the storage rack is being folded as we speak. I made up a steel block for one of the microphone hooks to go back into the turret. The other one had been cleaned out by a bullet. The replacement footman loops are also now in place. After that, we'll straighten the mounts for the gun ring and then it should be ready for a blast and a paint.