How To: C15a Wire-3 restoration

[Jordan Baker]

Well today I went for a bit of drive after following up on a lead from another MLU'er. This will really help with moving this Wire-3 project along. Its not mine, but just on loan to me so that I may make a copy.

The elusive Wire-3 Fitted For Wireless operators table.

[Bob Carriere]

Will the extensions open up enough to go from cargo side to cargo side on your 2C1......?

Given time should be easy to replicate.

Cheers

[Jordan Baker]

I believe after now looking over the table that the side extensions were simply to fit different radios. There is a variety of mounting holes on the table surface. There is a small pull out writing table. It would pull out towards whom ever was sitting in the seat.

[Robert Bergeron]

Extraordinary ! Well done ! Good for you !

[Niels V]

Would It be possible for you to make some drawings and details photos of it.
I am just about to finish the British version of the wireless table and this could be fun to make as well ?
Cheers Niels

[Jordan Baker]

I'll see what I can do but it's not the simplest of construction with how the pieces are all cut and welded together.


Well the plan for today was.....to go out and get all the steel for making the wireless table. However events transpired in keeping me from the shop till 1930hrs. I did manage to cut some parts to basics lengths and also made a few smaller bits. I also made up two of the pass through frames. These mount to the upper cab wall sheet metal.

[Jordan Baker]

Picked up about 87.5% of the steel needed for making a copy of the table. Yesterday I got most of the basic parts cut out. Today I finished making the pull out drawer. It's made from 4 pieces total all 18ga.

Next up will be the small pull out writing table.

[Jordan Baker]

Spent a couple hrs last night in the shop working on the the small pull out writing table. 4 pieces of angle iron all cut, notched and welded just as the original. The table surface is one piece of bent 16ga. I just have to weld on the pull handle and drill two small holes for pivot pins.

The yellow one is the original one I have made my copy from.

[Jordan Baker]

Ive been working away in my spare time on this table. It looks simple but trying to copy exactly how it was fabricated is time consuming. A lot of careful cutting and measuring....or is that measuring then measuring again and then cutting.

Anyway, since taking these two pictures I have got the basic side frames complete. I even tracked down the same kind of chain matching it to the size of the originals.

[Jordan Baker]

Well tonight I managed to finish off building the wireless table from the original I borrowed. I tried my best to copy all of the details of the original.