1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[Grant Bowker]

The AEDB design record describes the fliir of the 2K1 and 2K2 bodies as being "12 ga. H.R.B.A. steel plate covered with 1/8" Dektred."
That said, my 2k1 Body has embossed steel plate (diamond plate or similar) as flooring. I would expect that the embosed surface would cause rapid wear to any linoleum type covering. I've no idea whether Dektread (capitalized so probably a brand name rather than a generic description) is a sheet product like linoleum or an applied coating (though 1/8" sounds rather thick for anything brushed or rolled onto the plate).

[Eric R.]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The AEDB design record describes the fliir of the 2K1 and 2K2 bodies as being "12 ga. H.R.B.A. steel plate covered with 1/8" Dektred."
That said, my 2k1 Body has embossed steel plate (diamond plate or similar) as flooring. I would expect that the embosed surface would cause rapid wear to any linoleum type covering. I've no idea whether Dektread (capitalized so probably a brand name rather than a generic description) is a sheet product like linoleum or an applied coating (though 1/8" sounds rather thick for anything brushed or rolled onto the plate).

Dektread was a Goodyear product developed for marine use. It was thick plasticized coating and was either trowled on or sprayed. We had some on an old gun tub that was a real pain to get off with a needle gun.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The AEDB design record describes the fliir of the 2K1 and 2K2 bodies as being "12 ga. H.R.B.A. steel plate covered with 1/8" Dektred."
That said, my 2k1 Body has embossed steel plate (diamond plate or similar) as flooring. I would expect that the embosed surface would cause rapid wear to any linoleum type covering. I've no idea whether Dektread (capitalized so probably a brand name rather than a generic description) is a sheet product like linoleum or an applied coating (though 1/8" sounds rather thick for anything brushed or rolled onto the plate).

That's why I ask. 1/8" is typical linoleum thickness. Post war M152 radio vans (and M43 ambulances) had linoleum floors, and it apparently was durable enough. I'm having a hard time recalling what was on the floor of my ex 2K1 but recall some sheeting with similar properties to floor tiles.

I makes sense that on an untouched body the remnants of the flooring material should be evident in harder to reach places.

That said, I need a source for a piece of milk chocolate coloured 1/8" linoleum to cover my HUW radio table. The flour is painted metal checker plate but the table was brown linoleum.

[Maurice Donckers]

My Wire 5 body has the remains of linoleum covering on the steel floor , like under the feet of the radio table , but it is very brittle from ageing , it looks as if it was glued on .

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you for your remarks on the flooring Bruce & Maurice .Is Dektred still available , is there a substitute ? This (below) is pretty much what David has drawn . He saw dozens of these boxes at Princess Auto in the past . I am missing the metal trim and fiberboard top but that is coming . Thanks David.

[Ed Storey]

Amazing restoration work and inspiring to see all of the individual pieces and components in their prescribed locations.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you for your nice comments Ed, it makes it all worth it . Here we see the fiberboard for the table top freshly cut from this morning . I had to buy a whole 4 ‘ X 8 ‘ sheet just to get this tiny piece . It is the exactly the same fiberboard as i have found on top of my wireless table . A timeless product that goes by the trade name of Masonite . Tomorrow i will apply varnish ( Varathane ) ) to the fiberboard and it should look pretty much like original .

[Robert Bergeron]

The next challenge is to reproduce the stowage shelving in the left rear corner of the box . I took the pictures at the War Museum in Ottawa . They are from the late Me André Gibeau truck , God may have his soul .Could someone who has seen trucks in their original condition tell me if they are representative of the real thing ? Me Gibeau , i respectfuly suggest took some noticeable artistic liberties while restoring his truck and i wonder if the shelving is period correct .