Petawawa 100th

Darrell Zinck · #1 31-12-04, 00:54

Hi

I haven't been here much lately but that the life for you.

I wanted to show you the Sherman that the RCD have done up for the Base to give to the Village of Petawawa in the 100th year anniversary (May 2005).

It sat outside the Men's Barracks for years and was re-named to each Col Commandant of the Corps as they took the position. "Fox" was her last name when she was moved to Unit Hangar lines mid-Dec. After everyone went on leave, the RSM had a civilian company in to soda-blast her to the welds!! What ajob that stuff does!! And just washes away with water too. Great.

After that the old RSM fired up the paint gun and primed and painted her over a few days(with help from a couple of off duty Sgts!!). Last coat went on today and below is the result.

3 problems remain:

1) The chaps at the highway dept don't want it on the Trans-Canada outside the Base and Village as it could cause accidents or some tripe like that,
2) Our unit archives has shite on the proper markings for a 1948 RCD M4A2E8 or if you prefer M4A2 (76) HVSS. Best pics show the "Canada above the Maple Leaf on a Shield in red and gold" centre on the glacis sort of in the folded gun cradle, a 78-302 CFR on the sides of the hull forward, a "B" Sqn square on the turret sides, and what appears to be a "53" Bridge class(!!??),
3) Who has a pattern for the Hull MG canvas cover?

Enjoy the photos and all input appreciated

Audax et Celer
Darrell

Darrell Zinck · #2 31-12-04, 00:54

#2

Darrell Zinck · #3 31-12-04, 00:55

#3

Darrell Zinck · #4 17-01-05, 17:53

OK, the issue of markings has be resolved.

Many and Great thanks to Barry Beldam and Gary Barling for pointing me in the right direction and providing a superb example to look at.

I do have issues with the "53" Bridge class number (I think it says "33" but it's hard to tell.

Anyone have that hull MG cover pattern?

regards
Darrell

Hanno Spoelstra · #5 17-01-05, 21:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
I do have issues with the "53" Bridge class number (I think it says "33" but it's hard to tell.

Darrel, according to the Candian Army Manual of Training, Drivers Handbook M4A2E8 the weight of this tank is approx 38.5 tons...

Great pics by the way, thanks!

H.

Darrell Zinck · #6 25-05-05, 20:37

Hi Hanno

Belated thank you for the info. I have found a pic of one of our Shermans with a "38" within the BridgeClass disc.

I'll add a pic of the finished product soon.

BTW you Sherman registry was very helpful.

regards
Darrell

Darrell Zinck · #7 24-06-05, 03:28

Hi

After a big mobile crane lifted her, easy as you please, onto her pad; the RCD Sherman is in place as of last week. Circa 1948 at Petawawa based on a unit photo and Barry Belham's colour scheme.

regards
D

Darrell Zinck · #8 24-06-05, 13:11

Ooops

Accidently deleted the Centurion pic!!

Here she is. Fort Garry Horse in Germany circa 1965.

Not bad for house paint, eh!!

regards
D

Hanno Spoelstra · #9 24-06-05, 13:12

Darrell, great to see the Sherman and Cent repainted in all splendour. Well done!

to all involved.

H.

Darrell Zinck · #10 24-06-05, 13:17

Thanx Hanno, we got Monday off for our efforts!!

I correct my above post in that it's definately a "33" in our Sherman photo we have but the lowest weight I've seen for that model is 34.5ton.

:

Also, do you want some of the Foundry mark photos etc?

regards
D

Darrell Zinck · #11 25-06-05, 16:39

Hi

I had forgot that most of you are "wheeled" types so here are the CMPs that also got a renovation. Due to the Museum's donation box not being stuffed with 100 dollar bills from the tourists, 2RCHA took the trucks down to their hangar lines and went to town on them. Their RSM was rather.....passionate about them getting a bit of TLC. Many body panels were patched and filled by the Regt's Mech and Mat Techs. I think they look very nice. Better than rotting out.

Other Units did the deuce and a halfs and the 3/4 trucks. Even the Dak got a clean-up.

regards
D

Darrell Zinck · #12 25-06-05, 16:40

Another.

regards
D

Darrell Zinck · #13 25-06-05, 16:41

One last one.

regards
D

Hanno Spoelstra · #14 26-06-05, 22:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
Also, do you want some of the Foundry mark photos etc?

Not at the moment, Darrell, thanks!

Quote:

I had forgot that most of you are "wheeled" types so here are the CMPs that also got a renovation.

Good to see that - soft-skins need all the attention they can get if they are to survive a retirement outdoors. Well done, again!

H.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #15 26-06-05, 22:08

Jeez Darryl, for a box o' beer and a couple a quarts o' paint, there's a whole lot of us who could do those trucks up right! Just give us the nod...

Darrell Zinck · #16 27-06-05, 01:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Jeez Darryl, for a box o' beer and a couple a quarts o' paint, there's a whole lot of us who could do those trucks up right! Just give us the nod...

That's good to hear. The amount of local expert help going into the Museum restoration on the whole is phenomenal!! The Grenadier Guards, Horse Gunners, Airborne, Royals, Dragoons etc etc etc have exhibits and it will be a sharp looking Military Museum in the end. Most units have a Museum somewhere else, like the Royals but some will use the Petawawa Museum to show their collections. Some soldiers but a lot of old fellas and ladies in working hard and I can say first-hand that it's at the best I've ever seen it. The GovGen is coming for the opening but the Curator and her staff are handling it all very well.

The vehicles, well, are just cared for by a unit on base applicable to each. For example the Svc Bn cares for the Deuce and a half "Flying Kitchen" and the RCHA did the limbers. I've seen two other previous paint schemes on the Centurion in pics but decided the one we went with was best (and coolest

) .

The paint codes we had were FS #'s and it took a fella here at Base to get ahold of a gal at a paint company who knew how to translate them colour to an exterior Latex. As far as I can tell from colour pics provided by the FGH Museum Curator, our Cent is bang on. What do the CMP's look like for colour to you guys? I wouldn't know if they ran me over!! Their German equipment (Flak, Pak, FH18) is correct as I can determine.

The insides of them CMP's is supposedly very much intact. The ASU was missing a dipstick and battery!!

I encourage one and all to see the Museum sometime this summer.

regards
D

Mark W. Tonner · #17 27-06-05, 04:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
Most units have a Museum somewhere else, like the Royals but some will use the Petawawa Museum to show their collections. D

Hi Darrell;

I'm curious when you say "the Royals" and have to ask what the Royal Regiment of Canada has to do with the Petawawa Museum, and yes, they have their own Museum within Fort York Armouries in Toronto, but what do they have to do with the Petawawa Museum????

Cheers

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #18 27-06-05, 05:00

Darrell me ol' trout... your laddies need to learn a bit about colour schemes, that's what I was referring to. We can help. That 11-cab FAT in particular is a wonder, so it needs to be done up accordingly! Baby-puke green and baby-shit tan just ain't where it's at...

Keith Webb · #19 27-06-05, 05:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Baby-puke green and baby-shit tan just ain't where it's at...

Go Jif! Tell 'em what you really think!!!

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #20 27-06-05, 12:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Go Jif! Tell 'em what you really think!!!

LMAO!!!!!!

Naw, the trucks look wonderful. I actually don't mind the light stone for a desert or early Sicily/Italy portrayal! I'm gonna have to get up to Pet again sometime soon to see it all close-hand! I do especially like that Cent... now, if we could only see them all running!

Darrell Zinck · #21 27-06-05, 13:10

Hi guys

Please remember that I had no input on the wee trucky-wuckies.

See RSM 2RCHA for opinions or actual paint schemes!!

I know the Centurion is right for colour but we did take a couple of liberties with the badging (w/ permission from the Garrys) to ensure it's ID'd as a FGH tank. As far as getting them running goes, you're welcome to try. The Curator is very open to plans and suggestions. Don't think you'll get to haul them off for a couple of years though. This isn't the Gagetown Museum!!

I wouldn't want a running Centurion anyway as they were pigs when they were in service!! Imagine keeping one running now?!!

Oh and by "Royals", that's what we call the RCR up here when we're being polite!! Not RRC, Mark.

On another note, I'll be in Kincardine Ont on display with a Coyote, G-Wagen, and Ferret all day Friday 01 July 2005. Drop in and see me. MLU mbrs get special treatment!!

regards
D

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #22 27-06-05, 14:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Darrell Zinck
Hi guys

Please remember that I had no input on the wee trucky-wuckies.

See RSM 2RCHA for opinions or actual paint schemes!!

Whoa!!!!!!! I know better than to mess with an RSM... but mebbe I could get 'im likker'd up one night and approach the subject obliquely!

What's his poison?

Quote:

I wouldn't want a running Centurion anyway as they were pigs when they were in service!! Imagine keeping one running now?!!

Yes, concur heartily, but for some stupid reason I've never been present when one was actually running under its own power! Scary... but if you remember it's a 1945 tank with a de-rated Spitfire engine, then you're all right.

Quote:

Oh and by "Royals", that's what we call the RCR up here when we're being polite!! Not RRC, Mark.

We always called them "Run Chicken Run", but only if we were up to a good bar-fight. Ah, the good ol' days...

Quote:

On another note, I'll be in Kincardine Ont on display with a Coyote, G-Wagen, and Ferret all day Friday 01 July 2005. Drop in and see me. MLU mbrs get special treatment!!

Damn, I just got back from that neck o' the woods. Can't guarantee getting down there, but will if I can. Where will you be? Will there be a beer tent?

Darrell Zinck · #23 27-06-05, 19:00

Geoff

Ref Kincardine; there will be approx 200 soldier plus kit and vehicles on display at the Harbour all day Friday. Seems the CO of Meaford is from there and wanted the town to have a good Canada day show!!

No bother for me as I'm in a hotel and meals are paid for!! Plus I understand there is a Celtic festival in town that weekend too. Should be a good go.

regards
D