2008 at the Hammond Barn

[Bob Carriere]

......... How's that for decorum Jiff........

The new little blonde is Jessica........ wonder why she feels she needs to pump up her jacket front.....



.....oh I know.... she was adjusting her undergarment trying to line them up with Rob's left ear!!!!!!

....hihihi Boob

[RHClarke]

It was a difficult task keeping ones "eyes front". Now why don't you show the picture of the real beauty we saw in front of Chez Maries, Bob?
We actually did get some work done, including finishing off the HUP hatch hole and some pounding on the hatch locking mechanism support plates.

The" Before" shot (note the luxurious cardboard lining and the stove pipe hole):


The "During" shot:


The "After" shot (love that primer colour...):

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

......... How's that for decorum Jiff........

The new little blonde is Jessica........ wonder why she feels she needs to pump up her jacket front.....



.....oh I know.... she was adjusting her undergarment trying to line them up with Rob's left ear!!!!!!

....hihihi Boob

Oh my.... just.... oh my....

NOW I know why you guys have been so quiet since...

[Bob Carriere]

... the b'ys from the Hammond Barn are actually going through some very difficult times..... actually we are in mourning.....

Last weekend the pretty little blonde was fired ...... apparently for sleeping while standing up...... something to do with her leaving a late night party and showing up directly for work at 5 am.......???

Darsn't been a suitable replacement hired..... although I did volunteer my vast Human resources experience in recruiting a replacement particularly ass-essing their charms.... er mean qualifications.....

Rumours has it Rob was so depressed he left the country!!!!

Boob er... I mean Bob

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

... .....

Rumours has it Rob was so depressed he left the country!!!!

Boob er... I mean Bob

Bob and company,

I drowned my remorse in Austrian beer, so I am OK. No CMPs spotted so far, but lots of nice sights and sounds. Did you post any photos of our museum visit and of our visitor?

Prosit!

[Gunner]

For those who didn't follow Rob's post about visitors, this forum's favourite sailor, Mike Timoshyk came to the land of the ROTTERS last week and we dragged him around to our favourite haunts: Boob, Grant and Rob took him for a busman's tour of the War Museum where the Curator of vee-hickles, Jim Whittam was most obliging... I almost caught up but lost the morning to a flooded basement... the joys of living in the Rideau watershed.

On Sat we all convened at Boob's barn to yarn and watch Rob pound the living daylights out of a CMP cowl while Grant and Boob carefully fitted Boob's nice newly planed intake and exhaust manifold. A bit of wiggly pokery with the brass rings and it all slipped together nicely. Mike and I did the old serviceman thing: where were you when I was in... ? The penny wouldn't drop but I knew we had soldiered (sailored in his case!) together some damn place!

Graeme Milne and I picked up the seven new 10.50X16 tyres that Boob so kindly stored for me whilst I was overseas and hauled them back to the tin barn at the S&P.

On Sunday we had Mike out to the S&P and we finally figured out where we had served together when he caught a glance of my dress tunic... we were in the Western Sahara (MINURSO) together back in early '93! There were only about 144 Canadians on that mission spread over three years so its often referred to as the 'forgotten mission'. Mike enjoyed driving the winter cammed deuce around and helped us winch the Russian 37mm Bofors clone out of a deep and cold waterhole created by the big meltdown. An early trip to the airport to try to track down his missing suitcase ended an enjoyable couple of days.

Thanks for coming to town Mike, we enjoyed showing you around and look forward to updates on your beastie and its progress towards roadworthiness!

Mike

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Rumours has it Rob was so depressed he left the country!!!!

Boob er... I mean Bob

Well, think about it... Rob happened to leave the country just about the same time the cute blonde was "fired"...?? No, I'm sorry, but I can't ignore coincidence. There's only one answer.

Rob has taken her with him.

God knows how he managed that, but more to the point, why? He knows he's old, tired, married (and thus burnt out), and that he was under orders to refer said ... creatures ... to moi, because of course in the finest military tradition, I am getting younger and more vigorous by the day. I remain utterly distraught by this new turn of events.

The bloody thing is, this party wasn't even all that much fun! The best bit came afterwards, which is actually why she fell asleep on her feet...

Bloody hell, I shouldn't have mentioned that. Oops...

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball

Well, think about it... Rob happened to leave the country just about the same time the cute blonde was "fired"...?? No, I'm sorry, but I can't ignore coincidence. There's only one answer.Rob has taken her with him.

As nice as she seemed, she does not match the absolute beauty of some of the ladies of Salzburg! Besides, my frau does not permit me to keep pets - other than the CMP\SMP types.

In other news, I was not able to get to the Czech Republic...regrets to Frantisek and company, but business called. Perhaps this fall if I get to attend a symposium in Germany.

Gotta go - it's sunny out and I want to take in some more of the 'beauty' of this city before I fly home to the land of ice and snow (and mud, Bob?).

[Bob Carriere]

Sorry you did not get to see the Czech Hup.....

Snow is going fast.... so is the mud....killed my first Spring Muss-Keeter yesterday..... will save some mud in a Zip lock bag for you......

Boob

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Sorry you did not get to see the Czech Hup.....

Snow is going fast.... so is the mud....killed my first Spring Muss-Keeter yesterday..... will save some mud in a Zip lock bag for you......

Boob

Bob,

I appreciate the offer of the preserved mud...not sure what to do with it...What you could do is take a picture of the barn and post it for me, as I won't be able to visit until next month (it's tax time!).

Rob in Montreal (and no, I had nothing to do with the riot - it would appear that some overzealous Montreal Canadien (should be Russians) fans got out of hand and roasted some cop cars - makes you wonder what would have happend if the Habs lost - we'll find out after Philly kicks their butts).

[RHClarke]

Bob? Grant?

What's been going on? No posts seen for at least a week. Since I am living my CMP life vicariously through this thread, I've been starving...feed the fantasy! Post some pics or an update...

I will join you next weekend as the silly season ends on Wednesday night!

[Bob Carriere]

Ah the Barn...... finally our last little spot of snow finally melted.... helped greatly by Grant cooling off parts we had just welded........

First samll recovery of the season..... Grant stumbled on a 235 Chev 1957 in some small classified adds.

Engine very complete.... from fan to 3 speed tranny.... with a nice 12 volts generator....carb and starter..... also has the good 238 ### 848 head....

Installed on a stand. lubed the cylinder and boosted the engine to a nice purr witht he plug holes sphewing out oil and air..... great for dried skin....
Note to self.... next time you boost engine do not look into spark plug holes!!!!

... the best part is in talking to the old chap hwo got htis stuff from his older Dad's farm....... we may have some assorted CMP parts to pickup next week or so..... strange how one thing leads to another....

...and on Sunday we took out the baby for some sunshine..... Finally got some new 1/2 inch steel oil lines made for the baby..... once installed we could not resist trying to start th engine.

Well that is another story..... engine started frist push of the starter lever....
...... but.....BUT......NO OIL pressure.... turnoff the engine... check everything.... loosen oil line to pressure gauge... restart... no pressure.. turnoff..... KRAP..... check dizzy to see if it is installed properly.... restart stop again...... by now my blood pressure is going up.... time for Chez Marie.

Came back... rip out dizzy... insert electric drill with cut off srewdriver..... vrrrrrrrrr.... no oil pressure... panic.... more crap.....

Decided to loosen the new steel oil pressure line that we had just installed in the morning ......vrrrrrrrrr .... ah strange the oil is leaking out of the wrong pipe from the block....... my blood presure went down when I realized that the IN and OUT of the remote filter bracket had been ignored.....

Note to self..... when a manufacturer takes the time to cast the words IN and OUT on the parts it is probably supposed to be noticed and followed.

Flip lines over...... VOILA... now we have oil pressure.... re-install dizzy.... timing is now all F... rigged up..... remove N0 1 plug.... crank over and listen for the PHFFTTT!!! in your face.... OK got it.... and I remembered my first love....... too young 16.... too old 35..... just right 24.... install crank over..... loud back fire.... blows temporary plastic plug glued in vacuum outlet of manifold... can't find the darn thing which is by now in orbit.... find anther plug..... meanw hile Grant is check the firing order from the Ffffriggen manual and point out that my first love is 15-35-24 and not 16....ooopppsss...

try again..... PHFFFTT in my face..... timing is so off she overheats and showers the whpoek fffffggrin mess with fresh sticky smelly antifreeze....
Piss on it says I.... Grant refused and we towed the messy carcass tot he house for a wishing with the garden hose......

Oh Rob..... remember the big square steel pipe with the huge hook on the end... well they hook is gone.... as we were towing it to the house with the tractor it snapped.... it had been cracked for some times..... remember how many times we lifted things over our heads witht hat hook..... phew...

Grant did some fancy lobotomy to the bar and we rewelded massively....

By then we only had time lefty for a beer!!!!

now for pictures.....

first Grant trying to reattach something on his 235
...side view.....
......and baby in the SUN before the change of diapers.....

Now Rob we expect you at the barn this weekend..... I need someone else to blame for my screw ups.......

Boob

[RHClarke]

Bob,

Thanks for the "fix". Kinda like a cold beer ...anytime. Now that the snow is gone, howzabouta trip to the muffler shop? We have a choice - wait for Speedy in Orleans, or check out the Metcalfe shop...I will call both this week to see if they can fit in 2 or 3 CMPs???

Got to go, the wife caught me leering at your photos...

[RHClarke]

In April, Mike Tymoshyk visited Ottawa. The Ottawa Rotters organized a behind the scenes tour of the Cdn War Museum and were given a rare look at the inner workings of the Museum's restoration facilities. Of great interest was the Churchill tank bridge launcher - this caused tears to well up in Bob's eyes as he had played on the very same tank when he was (a lot) younger - or perhaps because many of the controls had been pilfered before the Museum got the tank...

Jim Whitham chats with Bob, Grant and Myke.


Interesting find at the CWM - a 45 HUP - What's wrong with this picture?


Myke at the Barn.


Myke had a look at Bob's truck and provided some sound advice on replacing exhaust gaskets. Since the Barn is a hands on locale, Myke was given a pair of work boots (his brogues were not quite up to the task) and some coveralls. He rolled up his sleeves and got his hands dirty. The Hammond Trio then took him to Chez Marie for one of the infamous luncheons. Back at the barn, he was put to work. All too soon, the day ended and Myke headed back to Ottawa with Grant. The next day Myke met Mike (AKA Gunner) for a tour of the S&P Museum.

Thanks for comiing out, Myke.

[RHClarke]

This is another reason why I love my wife - she knows when to send me to the barn! After a lengthy absence due to work/travel/administrative requirements, I spend a lovely day in Hammond - but forgot my camera (out of practice...).

The early morning was spent cleaning out the shed. A new floor of pallets was put down to prevent our CMP parts from sinking into the mud and to prevent them from being frozen into the ground next winter. Bob showed up around 0900 hrs and helped put some of the parts back into the shed. Grant had work commitments.

Later that morning we swept the grounds for garbage and scrap. After the windy days of the past few weeks, there was quite a bit of paper and plastic lying about. Scrap metal was placed on the scrap pile, and a collection of logging chains was hung on a rack for future repair.

We also moved some of Bob's artwork (a feature of a future post) and repaired the same. While Bob welded up the CMP "guard bird" (photos later), I decided to de-rim one of the tires lying about. Bob and Grant tried the high-tech methods to remove the rim, but gave up. I figured that I could have the rim free in an hour. Three hours (including lunch at Chez Marie) later, with the help of Bob's tractor and a set of chisels, we removed the outer rim. The inner rim held fast until we cut the bead in four places and wedged it out of the casing. That worked up a sweat, so Bob suggested we take a break and sample "The Pride of Nova Scotia". No argument there.

Following the beer break, we pulled Bob's trailer out of its winter hiding place and assessed the damage done by the long winter. We have some rust to contend with, and sandblasting may be the order of the day. Bob replaced some of the clearance lights and made plans to keep Grant busy on Sunday.

I did not get to work on my HUP, but that’s fine with me – there are several ways to repay Bob for his generosity and cleaning up around the barn and shed is the least one can do for the privilege of storing ones truck at the Hammond Barn.

[RHClarke]

This past Saturday Grant and I got on with the Spring clean up. The metal scrap pile was sorted through and salvageable pieces were stacked off to the side. Paper scraps, bottles and other wind borne items were rounded up and disposed of in the most environmentally methods available.

Bob stopped by prior to his visit to Joyce's Mother's place in the deep south of Ontario. He went through all of the parcels he picked up in the previous week and once again demonstrated that the Internet can be used for more than surfing naughty websites.

Grant pores over the latest acquisition - a 45 HUP wiring harness:


Grant and I headed out to lunch at Chez Marie (where prices jumped 10%). After discussing our respective shopping lists we headed back to the barn. Then I took the photos of Bob's creations - see the Bob Carriere - Artiste thread. After all that fun, it was back to the city to paint the rear deck. I'll get to the HUP sometime in the future - I hope...

[RHClarke]

Well, sort of. On Saturday morning, Bob rounded up Grant and I and we went on a tour of Bob's old stomping grounds near Quyon, in Quebec. It was interesting to see so many Irish names on the mail boxes...The tour took us to some of his favourite hunting spots, except this time, Bob wasn't interested in ventilating wildlife, but rather was on the lookout for CMPs in the wild. The hunt was quite successful (Bob will explain if so inclined), but alas, all of the CMP vehicles were lawfully owned. After the hunt, we hit the local roach coach for burgers, hotdogs and fries - good timing as the heavens opened up just as we arrived. The drive home went fast as we chatted about upcoming summer events.

On Monday (Victoria Day holiday), we met at the barn to continue the spring cleanup and repair cycle. We actually got some CMP work accomplished.

Grant continued his production of spring clips. Grinding the edges.


Bob and I took apart my HUP floor plate to repair the lock out which was stuck due to too much paint and a bent housing.


For all you 45 HUP owners out there, take your time taking the handle off its mounting bracket - the bolt is unique and it threads into the mount (so, don't hammer on it like I did...). The lock out housing and clip is just below Bob's lower coat button.


After that, we all collaborated on a small project that you can read about in the next posting (See HUP Headliner Project).

Following that fun, we headed to Chateau Carriere, where Joyce cooked up a great brunch - Chez Marie's was closed (Vicky Day). After that feast, we waddled out to the barn to continue some of the repairs.

Here is a shot of Bob and Grant "fencing" Hammond style.


Like all days at the barn, the leave pass quickly expired, and I headed for home - the boys will fill you in on their exploits later.

[RHClarke]

This is another example of Bob's talent. I found my old HUP headliner- a wooden spacer that fits just above the windshield frame and fills the space immediately above the frame up to the roof metal. My spacer was broken, warped, twisted and filled with dry rot (fits right in with our crowd at the barn...).


It was my intention to salvage the good wooden parts and to shape some wood to fill the gap and to try to true up the spacer. Bob had other ideas - he found a good length of white oak and started measuring. Then he performed his magic with his radial arm saw.


Since the spacer was for my HUP, Bob put me to work on the saw (eventually, we remembered the need for eye protection). Grant supervised the cutting operation.


Here are some shots of the progress:






Grant rounded the edges to ensure a good form fitting.


Comparison shots:




After a test fit, some minor adjustments were made, and it was off to paint.


Thanks, Bob. Your skills are appreciated by this poorly skilled writer.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Ah the Barn......

First small recovery of the season..... Grant stumbled on a 235 Chev 1957 in some small classified ads.

Boob

With a dumb look on my face I ask, what is the significance of a 235 cu in Chev' motor from 1957 to a wartime CMP, other than having fun running it on a test stand?

And a word of caution, remember museum exhibits are frequently wrong. A good friend of mine from university works/worked at the new CWM. He is a history graduate with a long background of working at publically funded museums. He hasn't served (and gasp, would never serve) a day in uniform. Except for bubbling enthusiasm for museums, he is utterly the wrong sort of person to have building displays at the CWM. In his case, he is enough of a scheming careerist to have angled himself out of The Children's Museum at the Museum of Civilization and to the newer and popular War Museum.

That said, if it is khaki and has a provenance as a military artifact, the curators will put it on display. Small and attractive, plus having a female or minority cultural involvement is even better. We rivet counters will spot the faults a mile away and get annoyed. But if the average pimply high schooler leaves the museum knowing there was a war and Canada was part of it, then perhaps the curators have done their job.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

...But if the average pimply high schooler leaves the museum knowing there was a war and Canada was part of it, then perhaps the curators have done their job.

Target round. At our last visit to the CWM, we discussed this point with Jim Whitham, Collections Manager, Transportation and Artillery. Unless a museum is given unlimited funds and a full time expert work force, there will be "inconsistencies". Now, CMP experts such as ourselves will notice minor "faults", but your average Joe won't. In all, I commend Jim and his crew for being able to keep their heads above water.

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

With a dumb look on my face I ask, what is the significance of a 235 cu in Chev' motor from 1957 to a wartime CMP, other than having fun running it on a test stand?

As it happens, I have more chassis than motors. The 235 is very similar to the 216 in size, shape and appearance and even shares some parts with the 216. This isn't surprising since the 235 (and later the 261) were derived from the 216. Since the 235 is more plentiful than the 216, has a better oiling system, is a bit more powerful and can be made to look even more like a wartime motor with some careful fakery I feel that it is an allowable liberty to substitute one for the other, so long as you are honest about it.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Terry

I take it you are back from your tour somewhere that action is...... glad to see you made it back.

So when are we going to have your visit at the barn....???

For the uninformed Terry has also acquired a circa 1970 Canadian Jeep similar to Clive's..... now the race is on to see who gets theirs on the road first.

The Rotters usually hold office on weekends at the barn..... let me know when you can make it over so we make sure we are around and not scrounging CMP in the back roads.....

Bob

[Bob Carriere]

I have fallen from way high..... I stooped and got meeself my first CMP Ford.

Not much to speak of but it's a start.... basically a rolling chassis which had been modified to convert into an articulated log skidder. Now the hunt may be on for more bits and pieces.....

The previous owner had cut the frame in half and using a regular CMP Chev rear axle devised a swivel based on the bearing hub of the axle.

Sad to say we towed it around the field and the beast cannot be steered in a straight line..... it tend to crab side ways...... inherent flaw is the owner lined up the swivel to be parallel to the drive shafts for obvious reasons.... doing so means the swivel is not centered on the frame but to the right....just enough for a disaster...... as it rolls around if the front axle hits a bump it twists one way and has the rear wheels reach the same bump it twists the other way....almost like an alligator crawl....

...but it has a good tranny and bell housing.....axles...T-case... and various assorted parts....

Enjoy the pictures...

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

...

For the uninformed Terry has also acquired a circa 1970 Canadian Jeep similar to Clive's ..... now the race is on to see who gets theirs on the road first.

I bought Clive's Service Pubs book on the M38 and M38A1 Jeep in Canadian Service. Does that get me ahead by a nose? And I found an old RP4 can opener wedged under the seat. Best can opener EVER!

The job of a househusband is never done. The driveway shelter collapsed under the weight of 4 metres of snow last winter. After two part days of futssing around trying to salvage parts off a neighbour's whose shelter also collapsed, I relented and contacted the manufacturer. The Residential Sergeant Major's Mustang car needs some attention. The snowblower needs attention. The boy's school is having its fundraiser yard sale ..... I have some drywall work inside the house ... 70-08876 M38A1CDN3 will have to wait.

However, on the bright side I spent $10 and used the Access to Information Act to learn more about the Jeep. For $5 I got a list of the other CFR #s that were surplused at the same time. I quote the CFR and ask for the VMO message. For $5 I learned there are no maintenance records available, but I will keep probing the archives for info.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Terry

You will need a detailed shop manual....sooner or later..... if only to confuse you better........

You might want to spin the engine over after removign the plugs ans squirting some light oil in each cylinder..... may be dry after the long Winter.

Once a week walking around with a can of WD 40 and hitting every nut you can see or feel may need working on soon will help......

Let us know if we can help or when you can drift over on a weekend.

Bob

[RHClarke]

After a long period of lawlessness, the Hammond Trio were rounded up by the one and only Clive Law. Clive's visit was for the purpose of leading Bob and Grant to the wilds of Quebec (south of Mount Royal) to organize the pick up Clive's Jeep. After the requisite Chez Marie feeding (where two new waitresses are now employed - a motorcycle momma, and a pretty youngun who kept walking into the chairs), we loaded the trailer and stores. Bob had some chores to complete, so he joined us at around 2 PM.

Bob, Grant and Clive were last seen heading south to the states for the southern passage to the Montreal area - I had domestic duties and had to pout and wave as they left Hammond.

It is expected that the Jeep will spend a few weeks around the Hammond barn getting some work completed before heading off to CC. At least that was the plan this morning.

A shot of Clive looking expectant, Bob looking giddy as ever and Grant wondering how he was going to manage both of them.

[RHClarke]

Early mornings at the barn are usually quiet affairs. Today was different - the Hammond Airforce was out in numbers that make the 1000 bomber plans of WWII look small. There were so many skeeders flying around that if a fella had two slices of bread and clapped them together, he could have a good meat sandwich.

After drowning myself in DEET and other wonders of the chemical world, I got down to business. After refurbishing the gas petal and mount, a few old tools and lots of nuts and bolts, I decided to attach the windshield mounts to the HUP.









It may not seem to be overly significant, but it was (constantly interrupted by slapping of bugs) progress.

[sth65pac]

Nice Work guys,

I like your carpentry skills. My passion, not profession...

Are you using the original bolts to re-attach as I am short a few bolts, & wondered if you had found a supplier?

I sold my soul to Macs for some rubber.

Ian

[Bob Carriere]

Rob is known for reusing old bolts...... he cleans them, scrub them.... polished and oiled......

In fact when he is too bothersome we save cans of old bolts and throw them in the yard..... keeps him busy all afternoon pickin' up treasures......


Just could not resist.

Boob

[Bob Carriere]

First real recovery of 2008..... hoping there will be more.....


A very brief visit to Andre.... always pleasant to see him again.... his country farm is always a delight to see whatever the season.

Being much lighter than a CMP and having four rolling wheels made the loading a breeze.

In the first picture you can see the muscle we brought along...Grant..... and the two older gentlemen who had to sit down for the picture....Clive with the big smile.... and Andre closing his eyes and thinking ..."finally I sold it"....

Second picture after lashing everything down for a safe trip......Clive was concerned we might not have used enough chains.....

Finally the trailer..... we had to cut a hole in the back plate to allow the air to flow through at high speed.....

Grant was heard muttering that a good body man could fix that up in 15 minutes.....

Thanks for providing us with a nice trip Clive...... thnaks to Rob for getting the tool ready for the trip and Grant for riding shoot gun and navigating.

Boob