How To: 1944 Chev HUW restoration

[David Dunlop]

Hi Bruce.

I've heard of that combination of kit on the rear door, but this is the first time I have seen one.

The Table clearly sits too low to be of value inside the HUW, so is it safe to assume the intension is to provide an outside work surface under certain circumstances? Something along the lines of the large table stowed on the lower left front of the WIRE-5 2K1 Box, which could be deployed to the left outer side of the Box?


David

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Hi Bruce.

I've heard of that combination of kit on the rear door, but this is the first time I have seen one.

The Table clearly sits too low to be of value inside the HUW, so is it safe to assume the intension is to provide an outside work surface under certain circumstances? Something along the lines of the large table stowed on the lower left front of the WIRE-5 2K1 Box, which could be deployed to the left outer side of the Box?


David

Yes it's an outside thing. I guess the signaler in the rear-most sidesaddle seat could open it enough (but just enough) to get maps out of it on the move. There is a hook and ring (seen in the factory back end photo) to keep the door open at 90 degrees. Yet another part I have to make. Oddly despite this outside table HUWs never were equipped with a penthouse as other HUPs were. Maybe they considered it but gave up when they discovered there wasn't a scrap of spare space left to stow it.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. HUP sliding roof hatches have two rod contraptions that are used to unlock and slide the hatch open. On the outside are four pivots on bronze wheels attached to springs which, when the rods unlock the hatch, lift it so it unseals and can slide.

All of these were seized solid on my 'NOS' hatch. I'm happy to report the rods cleaned up beautifully and what a piece of engineering they are. The pivots each have spring and ball bearing plungers to keep the rods horizontal and the handles have spring loaded levers and a latch to keep them closed. Everything now works as it should and they will get a coat of gloss white paint.

The outers didn't fare as well, they are rusted beyond repair and need to be fabricated. Luckily the levers and rollers are recoverable and only the tubes and inner shafts need to be made, both from easy to get material.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

So here's a question for Mr. Bergeron and Mr. Baker, and hopefully Chris (da signals goo-roo) Suslowicz:

All three lightweight CMP wireless trucks, C-15A WIRE-5 with the 2K1 body, C-15A WIRE-3 with a modified GS body and C-8A WIRE-1/WIRE-2 (HUW) based on the Chev Heavy Utility have five seats, two in the cab for a driver and co-driver and three in the back, one facing the wireless table and two others.

I have always assumed this meant a crew of five. But then I looked at the space required for five signalers, their kit, rations, greatcoats and see a problem. All that shi-et won't fit!! Plus, it really doesn't take five people to set up a wireless station and I can't see the army condoning the driver and co-driver twiddling their thumbs while the signalers set up their bits.

So my question is this...did the crew consist of five members or was it less and some of the crew occupied either the cab or rear seats as needed? I half doubt this because the rear seats do not appear to offer any benefit other than a place to seat one's arse when on the move so functionality may not be the reason for them.

What was the compliment for these wireless trucks?

[David Dunlop]

Hi Bruce.

The 2K1 WIRE-5 Crew Compliment was only 4: Driver and Co-Driver in the Cab and two in the Box.

The Wireless Operator was centred facing forward in front of the Wireless Table and the Cypher Clerk faced left on the left rear side of the floor in front of the left rear window with the mailbox slot in the screen and the small folding table on the side wall below the rear window. Their seats were identical to the Cab Seats but mounted on different brackets on the floor. The arrangement allowed for the Generator Compartment Door to be swing wide open when necessary. The arrangement also allowed easy access for both men to the overhead Signal Buzzer Cord strung along the left side of the ceiling about a quarter of the way in from the left side wall.

I think I read somewhere as well that the Co-Driver was a Senior NCO in charge of the 4-Man Team.

Cozy, but doable arrangement.

David

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

24 hour watch? Sleep? Was there overlap between the drivers and signalers? I know how it was done in the late 1970's/early 1980's but don't know if that is relevant.

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Hi Bruce.

The 2K1 WIRE-5 Crew Compliment was only 4: Driver and Co-Driver in the Cab and two in the Box.

The Wireless Operator was centred facing forward in front of the Wireless Table and the Cypher Clerk faced left on the left rear side of the floor in front of the left rear window with the mailbox slot in the screen and the small folding table on the side wall below the rear window. Their seats were identical to the Cab Seats but mounted on different brackets on the floor. The arrangement allowed for the Generator Compartment Door to be swing wide open when necessary. The arrangement also allowed easy access for both men to the overhead Signal Buzzer Cord strung along the left side of the ceiling about a quarter of the way in from the left side wall.

I think I read somewhere as well that the Co-Driver was a Senior NCO in charge of the 4-Man Team.

Cozy, but doable arrangement.

David

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Whereas working on a CMP is always exciting I'd be lying if I didn't admit some tasks turn my crank more than others. The heat in the garage today sucked my higher ambitions so I did some 'grunt work' instead.

I removed and replaced the rotten rain gutter and door stops...it's all got to be done in the end. First pic is the scrambled originals against my newly fabricated ones and second is them assembled in place.