“Bringing a Blitz back to life”

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

Thanks Grant and Rob,

Now that I had a closer look I see what you mean. Looks like the locating pin is between the bolt holes on the lower part of the springs. Fords were not drilled there if they had the spacer blocks so I am guessing as Rob said the spacers were missing so they were attached that way. Hope they had good sharp drills going through the spring steel.

Cheers,

Heat them red and let them cool. That would take the temper out of the area you want to drill. Then heat them red (not white) and quench in oil to re-temper them. Not saying that is what they did, but it is what I would do.

Note the overhang of the top bar left and right. More support that they modified the Ford brush guard, narrowed and drilled it, then bolted it to the front bumper.

[Jacques Reed]

Rob,

There is a bit of overhang at the top of a Ford brush guard.
Looks similar spacing as mine. Although if the top pipe is not original and a different length then it could be different. I see both pipes have a hole drilled facing forward on the left side however. Don't know what it is for.

Based on position of the centre of my shackles (Where they are drilled) I don't think it is too far out.

Cheers,

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Turns out that Blitz serial number 19012 was originally a Derrick crane truck:

"Image caption: Blitz truck 19012 prior to being restored by RAAF History and Heritage’s Restoration Support Section."
308434327_480747120763950_782018028953068806_n.jpg
Source: Royal Australian Air Force.

[Mike Cecil]

So they took a rare Australian derrick truck used by both the Army and RAAF, and 'restored' it as a GS truck ... wonder what they did with the derrick crane?

Their truck I suppose, but seems a terrible shame to have taken that path.

Mike

[Ed Storey]

Typical amateur restoration, take something rare and screw it up under the guise of history and heritage.

[Jacques Reed]

This "news" has done the rounds.

Was on Chev and Ford Blitzes in Australia FB page this week.

I made similar comments to Mike on that forum.
RAAF History and Heritage was a not taken seriously in this case.

Cheers,