Hill End Blitz NSW

[ChrisG]

For those of you associated with the NSW WW2 Jeeps you may remember my story on the Hill End Rural Fire Service Blitz restoration, here is an update, I thought the MLU's may want to see too.

Robert and his team of volunteers have been working hard to finish the project. The pump is back on a working, engine going, gears freed up, working on wiring.

The plan is to make the truck a working piece of the HE RFS museum.


Cheers,

[Tim Lovelock]

Very nice looking job!

[harrygrey382]

looks smart. What's the donk?

[Bob McNeill]

I think its an Inter 282, same as ACCO,s, hence longer nose.

[harrygrey382]

bit of a step up from the original then! 140hp aren't they? You can always tell a transplant due to those tell tale noses

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by ChrisG

I thought the MLU's may want to see too.

Yes, but we'd prefer to see it without that grotesque nose extension! Has any thought been given to restoring it to its original Hill End RFS state? I'm sure we could help source a blitz motor and gearbox if you ever consider it.

[Bob McNeill]

that's the way they had it, drive around Hill End in an ORIGINAL blitz and you will have to book into overnite stay. the inter has full oil pressure, more than once I,ve heard the bearings squeak pulling out of the Macquarie river in a 216 chev with a full load. The local weed sprayer has 16" wheels on his C60l, climbs till the front wheels break away.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Bob McNeill

that's the way they had it, drive around Hill End in an ORIGINAL blitz and you will have to book into overnite stay.

No, it's not the way they had it, it's the way it finished up after some artless butcher tried to "modernize" it. This vehicle was acquired in '58 with a Ford flathead V8, which no doubt served well for many years, and would have served for many more if it had been reconditioned instead of junked. They'll pull a blitz along at 50-60 mph in good condition, which I'd suggest is fast enough for most parades!

The problem in its present configuration is that it doesn't reflect Hill End RFS history, and therefore makes no sense in their museum. Just like a T Model with a Holden red motor would make no sense in a museum. The rest of the vehicle is very original and they've done a fine job of restoring it, but it's all brought undone by that monstrosity on the front. That's why I suggested we could help find a proper motor to complete the restoration. I'm sure it would win a lot more friends if it looked and sounded like the original Hill End RFS fire truck.

As for stovebolts, I've heard a lot of criticism along the lines you mention Bob, ie. front big ends running dry if operated up steep hills for any length of time. However I've been told it's due to low oil level rather than any inherent shortcoming in the low pressure system. That makes more sense to me mechanically, and if there'd been a problem in WW2 you'd think it would have been rectified early in production. I believe the oil nozzles have to be aimed correctly too, however I don't know much about stovebolts so perhaps one of the Chev guys can comment here.

[Howard]

Tony,
I'm not so sure why you are upset about this truck. If I may offer my opinion:
No, it is not back to "original" condition, but it HAS been preserved, and it will be stored appropriately, and maintained. And, might I add, loved.
All sorts of modifications were made to these beasts post-war, why can't these uses/modifications be preserved as well? Not only on this particular truck, but on any of the resto jobs being performed as we write.
Surely the preservation of this truck is more important than the accuracy of it's 'restoration'? After all, (as I have already stated to other MLU members), it's an old Blitz, not a GT Falcon.
Congratulations to the members of the Hill End RFS, the old girl looks fantastic. (But it would look better and sound better with a side-banger refitted!)
My two bob's worth,
H

[Grant Bowker]

My main problem with modifications is when people don't disclose them. I have nothing against modifications if they are clearly disclosed. Using this truck as an example I would be perfectly happy to have it displayed but I would like to see on the sign describing the vehicle a note saying the engine had been replaced (maybe giving the date and reaason) , description of other changes made to accommodate the engine change and ideally photos of either the displayed truck or a similar one in original configuration.
Even if we would prefer to see the truck in original configuration we have to keep in mind "It's their truck and they can do what they want with it" (except fraud).

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Howard

No, it is not back to "original" condition, but it HAS been preserved, and it will be stored appropriately, and maintained. And, might I add, loved. All sorts of modifications were made to these beasts post-war, why can't these uses/modifications be preserved as well?

I agree completely Howard, I'm a big fan of these community based restorations which see historic vehicles not only preserved, but well loved and maintained as you say, and participating actively in community events. It's always great to see local history preserved in the face of development and modernization, whether it be buildings or vehicles. This old girl has given great service to Hill End district community over several decades, and thanks to Chris G and his team it will remain with Hill End forever, to be embraced and enjoyed by future generations.

Also as you point out it's perfectly valid to represent a particular period in a vehicle's history, which goes to paintwork and any modifications that may have been performed over the years, irrespective of how repugnant one particular individual may find them! However I would argue strongly that the most significant period in this vehicle's history is the period between it's acquisition by Hill End and its "modernization", which presumably spanned 20 years or thereabouts. All the more so in view of the circumstances under which it arrived, as mentioned by Chris in his MLU post last year: "The Ford Blitz came to Hill End fifty four years ago following the big fire of 1958, it was the first vehicle the Brigade had." Interesting article on this fire which struck on Christmas Eve '57: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/arti...ts=exactPhrase

Hence my query to Chris: "Has any thought been given to restoring it to its original Hill End RFS state? I'm sure we could help source a blitz motor and gearbox if you ever consider it." I was merely trying to flag that assistance is available and cost would not be prohibitive. As Grant says it's entirely their decision.

Yes I was a little over the top in my next post and I apologize for my 'artless butcher' comment. It's just that these engine conversions are rarely an improvement and usually hasten the vehicle's demise on the scrapheap. If the 'Inter period' is considered a significant part of this vehicle's history it could be recorded and displayed photographically, as Grant suggests in relation to the earlier Hill End period. It's worth noting of course that if this conversion had been performed subsequent to Hill End RFS disposal there'd be no desire to preserve it.

Anyway I think you can see I'm not just being a CMP purist here, the fact is I've always found CMP civilian history at least as interesting as their military history, and I've often advocated along the lines you mention Howard, eg. restoration of PMG stretched CMPs, which I think we all agree are pretty damned ugly! In that case historical significance overrides ugliness, but I don't see that with the Hill End vehicle. Of course the imperative is to get it on the road, these matters are just something for discussion here.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

ideally photos of either the displayed truck or a similar one in original configuration.

I forgot to mention that we have factory photos which may be of interest for the museum. Would need to check with Keith re copyright.