Canadair CL70 CFR 58-91588

[Robin Craig]

Ken and the folks up at the Montreal Aviation museum are missing their ether start system, and we have two, so it is proposed that we do some trading.

The injectors for the system are directional and the outside of the nozzle has an alignment arrow marked. The mounts for them look very rough and ready by comparison to some parts on the vehicle.

[Robin Craig]

While this gearbox makers plate is fairly straight forward and coincidentally has the same serial number as my prep school number.

The RCEME rebuild data plate did not photograph well at all. It is impossible to see the printing but the stampings are plain enogh but can anyone decipher them? We think the strings read as follows:

Location of rebuild "204 BWS", is that 204 Base work shops?

We think that "6 6 62" is the dte of rebuild ie sixth of June 1962

We think the initials "R L S" are those of the inspector or mechanic doing the rebuild.

Despite there being a small neat and tidy makers plate located on the dash under the steering wheel there is this larger hand stamped plate on the left side air duct. It is very poorly laid out and seems to have been done by eye.

All comments gratefully received

[rob love]

The 204 Base Workshop is shown on a google search to be Barriefield/London/Hagersville. That is a fairly typical component rebuild tag for the period. It doesn't mean the vehicle was located there, just that the component went through rebuild there.

My guess was there was not a long enough production of these vehicles to warrant a proper data plate being silkscreened and stamped. That hand done one would suffice.

[Robin Craig]

Thanks for the reply Rob,

I guess I didn't make myself clear in my original post, the tag is actually silk screened but it is faded and also just doesn't show up in the photo.

I feel quite foolish that you found those locations via Google and I didn't bat an eye lid to think about that.

Thank you

[colin jones]

Hi Robin, what a beautiful little tracked project. I haven't seen on of these before and I can't believe it is so small. What sort of engine do they run and what type of drive system does it have. Are they constructed of ply and aluminium. What was their purpose during their time of operation as they don't look like they would hold very much unless they had multiple trailers. The tracks look like a fabricated conveyer belt style which would be easily made and quite durable. I will be watching with much interest so keep the photo's coming.
Colin

[Frank v R]

Robin , it appears you steering wheel is M-series jeep,

[Robin Craig]

Frank,

Thanks for that detail, I was about to post a question about that.

Colin, the body is aluminum / aluminium and the frame underneath is hollow structural steel. The play is just to make a jog with. Here is some infor about the machine:-

The Rat (CL-261 et CL-70): A Canadair Vehicle Division was formed in 1956. Its first project was the RAT (Remote Articulated Track), a light vehicle for transporting personnel and equipment over difficult terrain. Amphibious and air-droppable, the two-unit vehicle had a gross weight of 1,100 kg (2,500 lb.) and a payload of 300 kg (600 lb.) It could travel at 30 km/h (20 mph) on packed snow and 5 km/h (3 mph) on water. A 35-hp Volkswagen engine drove both units through a unique articulating transfer joint.
A total of 36 RATs was built, six prototype CL-61s and the rest CL-70s. Of these, 24 went to the Canadian Army, two each to the Swedish Army and the New Jersey Mosquito Control Authority, and one each to the Canadian Department of Mines and Resources and the Department of Northern Affairs

[Jason Ginn]

Originally Posted by Frank v R

Robin , it appears you steering wheel is M-series jeep,

Although made by the same supplier I don't think so. This wheel is keyed and not splined to the shaft like the jeeps. The hub profile is also off with the three distinct triangular "points" on the arms.

Luckily enough of it exists to repair. I use epoxy and filler based on an article in Old Autos from 20 years ago lol. A good Model maker like you Robin should be able to get it cleaned up nice! The white paint will be a big help!