M5 International Halftrack

[chris vickery]

Was wondering if there are any halftracks available for sale here in the country, preferably within Ontario but willing to consider US owned ones as well. Of particular interest is the International Harvester model but willing to entertain White etc. Just doing some research at the moment to see what is available, if any.

[chris vickery]

Well, here goes fellas.
I would just like to announce the news regarding my latest aquisition, an IHC halftrack.
It was with much pondering that I've decided to take the leap into the world of armour.
Having played with cmps, UCs and M series goodies, I thought it was time to aquire something you don't see everyday. I was fortunate enough to come across an uncut runner which will become my pride and joy.
My plans are to paint and clean her up in the markings of the South Alberta Regt.
Luckily I have been fortunate to find an International rather than the more prevalent White, afterall, the IHCs were Lend Lease to us
Pics will follow down the road...

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by chris vickery
I would just like to announce the news regarding my latest aquisition, an IHC halftrack.

Good show, Chris! Please share some pics of the rare beast with us. You do know Robert Dabkowski is restoring an IHC as an ambulance, don't you?


Hanno

[Gunner]

Hi Chris:

Welcome to the 1/2 track club ... my IHC is a RCEME Fitter version but won't get restored for a few more years as the White has to get done first. (When we went to Korea we purchased a batch of halftracks from the US dumps in Japan rather than ship stuff all the way across the Pacific. 2 RCHA used several for OP and CP vehs)

Cornbinder parts are harder to find over here but Gary the 1/2 track man (http://www.halftracks.com/index.cfm) stocks some IHC bits.

Pray you don't have to do the rear brakes... tracks gotta come off for that one! Yikes, major work!

On Lend Lease: Canada was a leasor not a leasee. Stuff we got from the States was purchased or traded for. If I remember correctly we even ended the war with a positive balance of trade.

Good luck with the restoration, Cheers! Mike

[chris vickery]

Thanks for the advice gunner. As for taking the tracks off to do brakes, well, I was kinda looking forward to that part...

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by chris vickery
Thanks for the advice gunner. As for taking the tracks off to do brakes, well, I was kinda looking forward to that part...

Chris
I have the parts and maintenance manuals for the beast if you need it..
Contact me off line..

[chris vickery]

Guys, I'm looking for a set of International Halftrack front fenders if anyone knows of any available. Will consider all prospects as these are difficult to find.

[gjamo]

Might find some useful parts on this Chris.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...522372566&rd=1

[svaasand]

I have one left fender, not in great shape. I also have a few armor parts.
Located in Norway

if interested, contact email:lars10@tiscali.no

[chris vickery]

My IHC is coming home tommorrow evening. Yippie! Can hardly wait.
Will post pics soon!

[chris vickery]

After a long winter slumber, finally she's home. Das ist sehr gut, ja! Don't worry fellas, the Kraut markings are going very soon...

My friend's tilt 'n load comes in real handy

Home

Ok, here's another

The happy new owner

[chris vickery]

My brother, who, I think, likes her even more than I do. Funny thing about this is that he doesn't have the OD disease like myself, and doesn't get too excited about old army junk.
He could hardly wait his turn. Lemme drive, can I, can I?

[Crewman]

Chris,

In the other thread I congratulated you your new iron girl Berti, so look at her sister Rosie from Poland. This is nicely restored and fully serviceable SdKfz 251/1 Ausf. D recovered from Polish river. It spent half a century in deep slime that preserved it in ideal condition, including battery, engine etc. When the carrier saw the light after its fifty-year underwater life the name Rosie on the side armour could be seen and this name remained on the restored carrier. This iron girl belongs to regional museum at Tomaszów Mazowiecki and the carrier takes part in various Polish reenacting events.


© Jacek Dziedziela, "Arnhem 1944" Living History Association


© Jacek Dziedziela, "Arnhem 1944" Living History Association

Best regards

C.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by chris vickery
The happy new owner

Congrats on the purchase, Chris! Looks great (have you got rid of the Balkenkreuz already?)

Here's another picture for your collection:

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

[chris vickery]

Thanks Hanno, much appreciated. My collection of IHC pics is ever growing. Nice to have original photos to compare to.
One thing that I've found out for certain is that no two AFVs are the same. Kinda nice to have something where no two are alike.
Always wanted something unique, and here in Canada I know of only a handful of IHC halftracks, spread across the country.
The German markings are long gone, and I was just thinking that in the next week or two that a new coat of paint is in order.
She has been sitting in storage, unused for a few years now, surprisingly runs quite well but does need some TLC to make reliable.
I have fortunately found original fenders and headlight brackets in Holland, headlight guards in the UK, and some misc parts in the USA to help make her look right.
Will post some new pics upon painting and retrofit.

[Gunner]

Hi Chris:

The Hunnicut book that Rob Dab mentions is available from the Patton Museum Gift Shop. I bought mine a couple of years ago when on a military exercise down there... $82.00 US. Well worth the cost as it has piles of info on evolution, contracts, authorised technical changes, etc. Typical US based book... almost no data on other users.

Don't rely on the captions for many of the US photos. The US Signal Corps was responsible for all US army official photography so frequently what is believed to be the caption is in fact the credit. For example: in two of the photos one can see evidence that the units portrayed are artillery. In one, the IHCs are towing artillery pieces and in another the unit badge painted on the side of the carrier is crossed cannon barrels.

Got our White M3 running but still haven't played with our IHC!

Mike

[servicepub (RIP)]

Came across this photo at Archives. Note the "Canada" on the cowling.

[Gunner]

Hi Clive:

It would appear that the adoption of that German halftrack was done with some official sanction. The markings are well applied and it appears to have been given some sort of census number.

Too bad it wasn't shipped home to Canada for retention in a museum; or maybe it was... I saw the bottom half (chassis and drive train) of a German halftrack in the Elliot Brothers scrap yard many moons ago.

Speaking of lost artefacts did you see the news about the Manotick Legion Hall? Major fire, water and smoke damage. The cadets appear to have lost almost everything.

Mike

[servicepub (RIP)]

Mike,
Bad news on the Legion fire. I wasn't aware that a CC was located there.
I came across a file at archives which listed all of the WD numbers issued for captured vehicles impressed into Brit/Cdn service. These were mostly buses and cars and were used for leave (buses) vehicles as well as MilGov staff cars.
What is interesting about the German halftrack is the word "Canada". I wonder if this was the military equivalent of pissing on a a bush? i.e. This is mine, it's going to Canada and no, you can't have it!?

[Roger Condron]

I just joined the forum and was looking and saw your halftrack. I restore ww2 vehicles bikes to tanks for a private collection,and i specialize in halftracks. I just completed a m9A1 and am wondering if you might have the upper gun racks in it? do you have a windshield armor piece? I had one made for our M14 by Al Stiefel in Calif. and it looks nice. Our collection contains 3 IHC's and 25 White,Autocars and Diamond T's. need more info please contact me. thanks

[Snowtractor]

Howdy all,
there have been rumours abound about a change in address for Chris Vickery's IHC halftrack. This appears to be the case , and it now resides in Manitoba.
That said, I need to locate a skate ring and armour for the pulpit on the halftrack. A dewat .50cal and or a pair of .30's would be beyond incredible too. I can get a canvas top for it from suppliers , though they are fairly exorbitant.
I can have the armour for the pulpit cut and bent with the correct dimensions though the skate ring may be pricey . I also need the truck/skate that rides on the ring too.
I would consider almost any IHC halftrack part of course , but my main goal/wish is the first stuff.
Thanks much all
Sean

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Snowtractor
That said, I need to locate a skate ring and armour for the pulpit on the halftrack.

Sean and Chris, congrats to you both!

Sean, you might want to consider not investing in a repro pulpit and restore it as one of many M14's converted by the Commonwealth armies. These were without pulpits, and would surely underpin the fact it is different from the ubiquitious restored White halftracks.

Anyone got an interesting wartime shot of an M14 in Canadian service to give Sean some inspiration?

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Anyone got an interesting wartime shot of an M14 in Canadian service to give Sean some inspiration?

Here's a start!



source

[Snowtractor]

Hi Hanno,
that is a thought , though it is badged a M9A1 variant.
Not having a house yet and still planning on moving to Manitoba , I have time to assemble some parts before I can dig in to it, though it is a far sight more complete than any other MV I have bought to date. I am chomping at the bit for sure.
Sean

I notice that the Cdn Armoured divisions had IHC halftracks for their RCEME mechanics . I had thought about trying to find the layout of one of them and going that route. Of course a Russian 76mm antitank gun towed behind would make it a nice antitank unit of Uncle Joe too.

[chris vickery]

Sean, all you needed to do was ask...
Sarco in the USA has complete M49 rings with trolley and all the hardware for $1295 USD.

Gary Hebding can get you a repro puplit made for about $750 or perhaps you can obtain some measurements somewhere and have one made locally...

Oh, yeah, one other thing. If you want one of the niceest dewat 50s I have ever seen, send me $1800 and I'll go pick it up for you...

[rob love]

Actually Sean just missed a ring when he came by my place this summer. I sold a ring with cradle for about $300. I had been tripping over the thing forever.

Sean: I found the guys email adress is you want to pry it out of him. As far as I know, he had no use for it....just like the look of it. He is located in or near Regina.

I would be very surprised if you could legally get the ring out of the US. The way the State Dept has been lately about such accessories, I am not sure it could be exported legally.

[Snowtractor]

...sounds awesome ( I know, 80's idiom ) . Chris let me know some details and Rob send me the info please and I will harass...erm, talk with him.
And thanks a bunch guys.
Sean

[cletrac (RIP)]

Sean, if you're ever in Wetaskiwin, stop in at Reynolds museum and take a look at this one. I took the pic through the window but they would have opened the building if I'd asked.

[Snowtractor]

I have seen it, in the flesh. On the left side on the floor were more .50s and .30's and german mgs than you could have shaken a stick at. I never thought I would own one so I could only drool at it. I have a few pics, in storage, of the halftrack and have since thought that might be the place to go to get measurements of the pulpit armour.
thx
Sean

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Here are some pics showing the paint scheme on Chris' half-track was not entirely spurious.

H.