Shilo's new T-16

[rob love]

Neil Yeo dropped by for a few minutes today, and we determined from the data plate that the WD number was T102032 S . The number is now quite apparent on both sides, now that we know what we are looking for. It was just a coincidence that the DND number ended in 022, which helped make some confusion earlier.

I had seen the S after the WD number on the side, but wasn't sure if it was part of it. What was the significance of the 'S' ....suppressed?

I hooked up an A-frame and pulled the T-16 off my trailer today and put it back into the building. After some photos tomorrow it will be off to the washbay to clear out some of the mud, moss, and debris. Perhaps there are some more surprises on the bottom of the hull.

[rob love]

More photos. We removed the loose stuff from the carrier, and I started on removal of the herb garden inside the hull. Photos include the UCmk1 engine, and the stowage box from the rear with the central command and infantry school markings.

[rob love]

A couple interesting points. The WD number, after washing, was visible on the back right of the hull. However, it reveals that the hitch brackets were welded on after the painting of the WD number, as evidenced by the overlap.

Here is also a shot of the white thick padding on the bottom of the stowage bins. I suspect they were asbestos, and other than keeping a few baggies for samples, the rest were bagged and into the dumpster.

Next is a shot of the artillery marking on the side. Blue square with a red corner denoting A battery. The lettering looks like A2, but some sanding will perhaps reveal it better.

Last is a shot of the carrier now that the hull has been washed out, and the outside pressure washed to remove the moss growth. The parts will be put back into the hull and it will be put out into the compound and covered, waiting for it's eventual restoration.

[rob love]

And here is some data for the bean counters. The data plate inside the front right stowage bin, the number from the top left edge of the armour, and the number on the left towing eye along with a couple of flaming bombs.

As well, a little fine sanding with steel wool brought up the letters DND kind of cockeyed on the front right side. Factory markings denoting destination perhaps? As well, a little better shot of the artillery marking. Looks like it is just the latter A in the little square.

I count the repainting of the 82-032 at least 9 times on the right armour indicating likely long service. It would also appear the artillery markings on rear left fender are over top of the central command markings.

[horsa]

The date should also be an inch or two over from the "10097" vehicle number on the armour leading edge above the driver's port. Likely it will be between June and September of 1944.

And your observation of the original census number being painted on before the tow hitch brackets would seem the norm. The sides would also have the census number up near the upper edge of the armor beside the driver and gunner spots but they needed to be repainted due to the placement of wading squares on most of the vehicles.

[rob love]

I was looking for the additional data on the top front plate....thanks for the guidance Gordon.

Build date, according to the data plate, was July of 44.

Good info on the hitch. Were the hitches factory or post factory? Seems odd they would paint and mark the vehicle, then add the brackets afterwards.

The letter A on the artillery rectangle will need a little more sanding. There were only 3 or so identifiers that would have the A in that position, and there will be another letter before it.

[horsa]

The British did mods after delivery. Probably the same if any vehicles went directly to Canada as opposed to being assigned to Canadian units once in the UK. Speculation was the numbers were painted on at the factory since they were build to contract.

Photo attached has a staging area with T-16s being covered up with tents and the rear row have no tow mechanism. They have "T.D." census numbers which would make them gun tugs. These also don't have the wading squares welded on yet, although very late war vehicles didn't get them at all.