#1
|
|||
|
|||
Another M29C weasel restoration resumes
Fellows,
Now that summer is drawing to a close and the days are only getting into the low 30's (instead of 40's), today I have finally moved my #1 weasel into the shed to resume the restoration work after a break of 7 years. I am embarrassed to admit that I purchased this weasel on the 11th of November 1998. I have set a goal to have this weasel up and running by June 2011 so that I can take it to the Walker Amphib vehicle get together in Bundaberg Queensland. I have all of the parts to assemble it but Time is in short supply. In a past life an extra 100mm was added to the lower hull to raise the sponsons higher off the tracks. I have since separated the hull into two pieces and now the work commences to rejoin the hull back to it's original form. I am fortunate that this hull (apart from the damage above) has little rust in it apart from the usual spots, battery and lower radiator area. Anyway I will keep updating this post as work progresses. I have attached a few photos showing todays effort Cheers John Wilson |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
2 Year update
Fellows,
Well I never got to Bundy 2011 with my weasel however two years on, my hull repairs are now almost complete plus I bit the bullet and ordered a new set of tracks from Liberty in the US of A. Please see photos. I got waylaid on my weasel hull repairs by repairing another weasel hull (http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=17318) but now I have completed that task I can return to work on my weasel. Cheers John W. Last edited by ozm29c; 13-02-12 at 01:01. Reason: Added a MLU forum link |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Can you tell us more about the track source
Quote:
Hi John I have often heard that the tracks are the hardest parts to find on a Weasel, can you give us a little more information on the source, like their web address. Also are the tracks a good useable adaptation of a commercially available track or are they reproduction tracks using modern belting? Cheers Phil
__________________
Phil Waterman `41 C60L Pattern 12 `42 C60S Radio Pattern 13 `45 HUP http://canadianmilitarypattern.com/ New e-mail Philip@canadianmilitarypattern.com |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Good old USA..
Quote:
Here is the info.. Interesting web site.. Only Weasel track manufacturer left.. http://www.libertyar.com/content/Home.aspx http://www.libertyar.com/content/LibertyTrack.aspx Videos.. http://www.libertyar.com/content/Lib...ackMovies.aspx Quote:
__________________
Alex Blair :remember :support :drunk: Last edited by Hanno Spoelstra; 13-02-12 at 21:46. Reason: think about using quotes, Alex |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Ambilary Track
Quote:
Further to Alex's very detailed post, Mike based his LAR track design on the very successfull 'Ambillary' (hope I have the spelling right) track manufactured in the US of A post WW2. A number of weasels serving in Antarctica used this style of track. Please see attached photos. The advantage of this track design over the OEM style track is in its simplicity. Now the hard part, the cost $9500USD a set. Having said that a weasel without good tracks is a garden ornament. There are a number of fellows who have already put 900+ (Hard) miles on their LAR tracks (Thanks Rick W.) and they have proven to me beyond doubt that Mike's LAR tracks are a good design, very robust and reliable. Phil, Have I answered your question? Cheers |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for the track info
While you think that everyone who is into weasels would already know about this source, it would seem that they don't. As this topic has come up in our club with out the connection being made. Now it might be that all the people with weasels that I have run into are scared off by the price.
So thank you for the information and I'll put it out in our newsletter. Cheers Phil
__________________
Phil Waterman `41 C60L Pattern 12 `42 C60S Radio Pattern 13 `45 HUP http://canadianmilitarypattern.com/ New e-mail Philip@canadianmilitarypattern.com |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Hello Phil,
there are some alternative track repair options that are also available to your members. By far the most economical is a conveyor belt reband using the existing OEM grousers. Tom at Snake River 4 x 4 manufactures a conveyor belt band kit: http://www.snakeriver4x4.com/forsale.php There are also OEM style track bands being manufactured in polyurethane ex Europe (see photos) at 3900Euro for a set of 8 bands. These bands can be retrofitted to the OEM grouser. One problem with original grousers is that after 60 plus years the rubber grouser pads tend to fall off which means your weasel can only be used off road and the thin metal construction of the grouser plate can tend to fail. After market grouser pads are available see:http://www.accuritemachine.net/m29weasel.html Double click on the images. Not sure what the cost is but you will need either 110 or 112 replacement grouser pads. As an alternative rubber tracks are also available out of Europe See: http://www.staman.nl/N_frame.html?http://www.staman.nl/ I can't comment on this style of rubber track as I have had not seen them in the flesh. The website says Brent Mullins is your agent. I don't think that after freight from Europe to the USA plus taxes has been added to the original price of 4120 Euro there would be any real savings to be had as compared to the LAR track. The fun of owning a weasel Dealing with tracks. Cheers John W. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
We rebuilt a pair of tracks for our M29C using the bands that Tom (mentioned previously) provides pre-drilled to match the grousers. Much cheaper restoration when compared to the Liberty option, if you aren't afraid of doing the grunt work of grinding off all the rivets holding the old bands to the grousers. Plus you end up with track retaining original grousers if the look makes a difference to you.
Once broken down, I also ran a wire wheel over the inner side of the grousers to remove the rust. Then primed and painted them a semi-gloss black before putting the new bands on with stainless steel button-head bolts. Didn't do anything to the ground side of the grousers since we still had pads on most of them and I figured any paint would scrape off over time so would be a wasted effort. Weasel flies like a bat out of Hell now.
__________________
David Gordon - MVPA # 15292 '41 Willys MB British Airborne Jeep '42 Excelsior Welbike Mark I '43 BSA Folding Military Bicycle '44 Orme-Evans Airborne Trailer No. 1 Mk. II '44 Airborne 100-Gallon Water Bowser Trailer '44 Jowett Cars 4.2-Inch Towed Mortar '44 Daimler Scout Car Mark II '45 Studebaker M29C Weasel |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Hanno,
Apologies for raising this old post of mine from the dead. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since 2010 but I am pleased to report that my Weasel is now fully restored and is out and about at shows and Swim ins. For those who are interested, I have a restoration blog over on the weasel forum of which you should be able to access vide this link; https://forum.portrayalpress.com/top...g/#comment-580 Also, here is a Youtube link to the weasels maiden voyage; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQGpAKGA6TI and finally I have attached the mandatory happy snap. Cheers John W. Last edited by ozm29c; 30-05-24 at 06:25. Reason: Spelling |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
M29c
Fantastic work, that is one nice looking M29C!
|
|
|