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

[Big D]

More photos.

[David Dunlop]

Hi Darryl.

Sorry I am backtracking here a bit, but I forgot to ask when you posted photos of your disassembled main gun.

Is the damage to the barrel deliberate de mil work, range damage, or a combination of both?

David

[Big D]

Hi David

I think it is range damage. I don’t believe this gun was ever fitted to the turret I have, which was certainly a range target at some point. However, the damage on the tube of the gun suggests to me that it was done on the range as well.

I’d say the damage done to the tube happened some time ago, as the sleigh and the recoil system fitted to it had been on it for some time, and that sleigh actually covered up the damage quite nicely, so I didn’t see how bad it was until I got the sleigh off.

[James P]

It is always a treat to see your fantastic work and breathtaking attention to detail on this rebuild from a heap of beat up random parts into a like new condition vehicle. The pics of your work on this journey shows that you have set the bar very high my friend and getting it done right.

[Big D]

Hi James P

Thanks for that. Hopefully the finished product reflects that. Haha!

[colin jones]

Strike me pink Darryl, you've made some wonderful serious progress there. The padding on the side of the 37mm plate, is that standard on all of them and where did you get the plaques from.

[Big D]

Hi Colin,

Yes, getting there, thanks.

The padding on the side of the gun plate is standard. I'd seen pictures with different coloured material and not sure what is the correct colour, so I ended up going with this colour because it was cheap!

I got the data plates from a guy in the US. They are a lot thinner than the originals but look the part.