M37 Restoration (53-41242)

[Wayne Hingley]

I’m definitely not a sign painter, and grossly lacking in artistic talent, but rather than use vinyl decals I wanted to have hand painted markings on this truck. I’m marking this truck to represent the regular force Canadian Black Watch from the 1950’s and 60’s. Unfortunately the two Black Watch regular force battalions were disbanded by Trudeau in July 1970.

Thanks to some guidance fro Rob L, I got the proper sign lettering paint and took a stab at my first unit sign. It’s a bit choppy, but from a few feet away, it looks ok. I still like it better than “perfect” vinyl decals. I may have my son do the golden maple leaf, as he is more talented with a paint brush. More to follow on that...

Here is what I have done so far:

[rob love]

Wayne
Not bad for a first try, but yes, the choppiness shows. The trick is to relax and do the edge in a long steady stroke, with the hand supported if need be. If the piece can be paid flat, like a tailgate or an individual sign-plate, then even better. If you go slightly over the lines, that is fine. If you go way over, or (shudder) get a run, then you can always put red over top of the mistakes later.



Paint is not a decal, and the numbering or lettering can be a little wider or thinner in spots. Nobody will notice, or those that do will appreciate the hand painting.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Wayne Hingley

I’m definitely not a sign painter, and grossly lacking in artistic talent, but rather than use vinyl decals I wanted to have hand painted markings on this truck. I’m marking this truck to represent the regular force Canadian Black Watch from the 1950’s and 60’s. Unfortunately the two Black Watch regular force battalions were disbanded by Trudeau in July 1970.

Thanks to some guidance fro Rob L, I got the proper sign lettering paint and took a stab at my first unit sign. It’s a bit choppy, but from a few feet away, it looks ok. I still like it better than “perfect” vinyl decals. I may have my son do the golden maple leaf, as he is more talented with a paint brush. More to follow on that...

Here is what I have done so far:

Wayne, good job on the Arm of Service markings and I am pleased to see that you are reproducing known markings that were applied to your vehicle. Just to clarify things, the markings that you are reproducing were promulgated in 1960 and a 9 on a red square represents an infantry battalion but was not Black Watch specific. You might enjoy this 1960s image taken in Germany.

[rob love]

Well Wayne, compared to the 9 in Ed's photo, you are a regular Rembrandt.

[Wayne Hingley]

Great photo Ed! Thanks for sharing that one, and for the info on unit marking serials not being Black Watch specific (I didnt know that). The information provided by Dan in post 87, regarding Black Watch using serials 8 & 9 coupled with photos I found in Gagetown, along with your info and photo have increased my understanding of the unit signs used by the Black Watch during that period of time.

Rob: you are right... Its the flow of the long steady brushstroke that Im lacking. That's what I meant about the lack of artistic talent. That flow and steady hand is not automatic. I definitely need to practice a bit before attempting the markings on the hood. I have a lot of hours of work invested in that hood, and Im stressed out about screwing it up. Which is counter to your advice of being relaxed!

The unit sign in Ed's photo above, gives me a bit of comfort and reassurance that the 9 doesn't need to be "perfect".

[chris vickery]

When I’ve done painted markings I always cheated; made a paint mask stencil then filled it in with a brush, removing the stencil once it racked up.
Nice job anyways!

[rob love]

Perhaps, maybe, you need to partake of our governments recently legalized relaxant before you paint. Personally, I will live with the sober results.



Hand painted is hand painted, complete with it's imperfections. Look at a hand painted store window sometimes with a critical eye and you will see what I mean. They are far from perfect, but pleasing non-the less.

[Wayne Hingley]

With some touch-ups to improve the 9 a bit and the leaf added, this is the final product.

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Wayne Hingley

With some touch-ups to improve the 9 a bit and the leaf added, this is the final product.

Looks good to me.

Dan.

[Ed Storey]

Your AoS and unit serial are exceptional, most likely better painted than even those found on the vehicles of the time. Keep in mind that your vehicle markings are placed correctly for 4 Brigade in Germany for the period up to the early 1960s but are reversed (vehicle rear only) for Canada. Also Mobile Command replaced 1st Canadian Division in Canada in about 1967ish. And finally CFR plates were not introduced until 1970-71 and yours is one of the latter kind with embossed CANADA which dates from the late 1970s - after the M37CDN had been replaced by the Chevrolet 5/4 ton. Prior to 1970 DND vehicles were plated provincially and no plates were used in Germany.

[David Dunlop]

Nice job, Wayne!

Feels nice to be at the details part of a project, doesn’t it?

David

[Wayne Hingley]

Ed: yes, my display of the modern style CFR plate is definitely not correct. I do have one older style version with DND and CANADA riveted over the DND. Any idea what years that version was in use? 1960's?

I hadn't noticed the reversed position of the unit and formation signs before. The 1947 version of "Vehicle Markings - Canada" as posted by Rob a few years ago, shows the markings to be on the same side front and rear. The reversal on the rear markings in Canada is new information for me.

Edit:
I found a more appropriate NB provincial plate.

[Wayne Hingley]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Nice job, Wayne!

Feels nice to be at the details part of a project, doesn’t it?

David

Thanks David. Yes and no... Im working at some of the details (which is nice), but Im still not finished painting the cab tub and doors. I guess Im cheating a bit.

[Ed Storey]

Wayne, CFR plates came into use about 1970 or 1971, you need provincial plates for the period you are depicting with your markings. You have to watch the CF marking guides as they changed and evolved over the years. In this case your M37CDN is marked correctly for a Black Watch vehicle in Germany circa 1960 and as a bonus you will not require any plates.

[rob love]

Wayne: Note the tables and racks in Ed's above photo are the line laying stuff we were looking at in the surplus yard last week.

[Wayne Hingley]

Originally Posted by rob love

Wayne: Note the tables and racks in Ed's above photo are the line laying stuff we were looking at in the surplus yard last week.

Yes, I was thinking about that stuff when I saw the photo. Ill put it on my Christmas wish list.

[Rob Crombie]

Hey Wayne, I don’t have much to add except to say your truck is really coming along! The hand painted markings look great I think, and it fits with the character of these trucks.
Cheers

Rob

[Wayne Hingley]

Thanks Rob. That bit of color on these trucks does give a more complete look to things.
Other than a bit more green left to go on the doors and many nuts & bolts, I’m pretty much done with all the painting. Looking forward to bolting things back together.

[Wayne Hingley]

The engine is back in the frame and next will be the transmission, transfer case, drive shafts, rear wiring harness and the radiator. Just when I thought I was going to be done with painting, I had a bit of a paint malfunction on my doors yesterday, so they need to be sanded down and redone...

[Wayne Hingley]

A bit more progress tonight...

[super dave]

Looking really good, maybe some day I can do that level on mine.

[Wayne Hingley]

You are too busy working on everyone else’s vehicles Dave. Thank you for your help on this one. It should be ready for the camping trip next summer.

[David Dunlop]

Nice progress, Wayne!

David

[Rob Crombie]

Looks great Wayne. The truck has sure come a long way since you first picked it up.

[Wayne Hingley]

Thanks David and Rob. I have almost all of the remaining components in a "ready to bolt on" state, so hopefully I can maintain a decent pace of work with the reassembly.

I need to attach the bumperettes and brackets for the tail lights, convoy light and trailer plug so that I can properly fit the rear wiring harness. That's my next step.

[Wayne Hingley]

The dance floor is in place. This is one of those situations where I bought all new Phillips-head fine thread fasteners (hard to find item) for the entire cargo box, and I can’t remember where I put them. Hopefully they are in the same secret place as the access plate for the fuel tank sender. I guess I’ll need to do some cleanup and sorting through all the parts to get things in order.

[Mike Cecil]

Looking very, very good, Wayne.

You won't want to take that outside the workshop during winter (Edit: substitute Spring-Summer-Fall - see 148 below) in case you get a speck of mud on it, it looks soooo nice!!

Best regards to you and the family

Mike

[rob love]

In Western Canada (BC is the exception) , you get mud in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter (at least around here) there is no mud in the winter.

[Mike Cecil]

I should have remembered it gets all frozen north of here.

It was a in reference to my visit to Wayne's last year, while on the way to Edmonton, in May or June (so not winter). When I left the main highway, my car was red. When I returned to the highway a few hours later, it was two-tone: upper red, but from the windows down ... grey/brown mud!!

Still, well worth the deviation to catch up with Wayne and family. Just a pity I didn't get to Shilo as planned.

Mike

[Wayne Hingley]

As Rob correctly points out, the best time to travel my road is between November and March when it is frozen solid. But as you know Mike, its inevitable this truck will get dirty. I think you experienced one of the worst days... I promise it wont be that bad next time. However, I can't guarantee you wont rub elbows with some of the local deer again. I've mingled with a few myself this year.