Since we're pretty much done with rations for the nonce, and I told you why I had the stuff I do - let's see some of it in context... and do an update on the Castle's M38A1.
There have been some changes. Since her tragic accident during transport back from a parade (involving severe damage to the windshield), she's recovering nicely. Amazing how hard it is to find an M38A1 (vice CJ5) replacement windshield frame that is at least a candidate for restoration that isn't already attached to someone's jeep! I found one that was windowless and rusty (but only surface rust, not rotted out anywhere) and was able to restore it to satisfactory condition. I had to get the window glass custom-made locally (since they liked being involved with the restoration it really wasn't expensive, all things considered) and then we went through the joy of getting the glass installed in the windshield... that was more challenging than any of us expected, but, less installing her new windshield wipers and vacuum tubing, and adding on the speed warnings, that little drama is complete. She also has had her new auxiliary antenna bracket and antenna installed (though there is some painting left to do).
The Technical doesn't have body-mounted radios (this particular jeep was never wired for radios). I chose to go with a PRC-10 (behind the driver) for 50's-era, and a PRC-25 (behind the passenger seat) for the 60's - as it was not unusual for scout vehicles to carry back-back radios so you could park the jeep behind the hill and go up the hill and observe and report. When complete, she'll have a loudspeaker mounted to the front panel to the left of the data plates, another modification that was not all that uncommon - lets you hear the radio without having the handset jammed under your helmet all the time. I've got the speaker, I haven't mounted the bracket for it yet. I've also got an M11 decon bottle and bracket, but I haven't found a reference yet for where they were mounted, as they should have been on the 60's era jeeps. I suppose I should clarify - only one radio mounted at a time when on display, and that behind the passenger. But both of 'em in there when in storage.
There have been some changes. Since her tragic accident during transport back from a parade (involving severe damage to the windshield), she's recovering nicely. Amazing how hard it is to find an M38A1 (vice CJ5) replacement windshield frame that is at least a candidate for restoration that isn't already attached to someone's jeep! I found one that was windowless and rusty (but only surface rust, not rotted out anywhere) and was able to restore it to satisfactory condition. I had to get the window glass custom-made locally (since they liked being involved with the restoration it really wasn't expensive, all things considered) and then we went through the joy of getting the glass installed in the windshield... that was more challenging than any of us expected, but, less installing her new windshield wipers and vacuum tubing, and adding on the speed warnings, that little drama is complete. She also has had her new auxiliary antenna bracket and antenna installed (though there is some painting left to do).
The Technical doesn't have body-mounted radios (this particular jeep was never wired for radios). I chose to go with a PRC-10 (behind the driver) for 50's-era, and a PRC-25 (behind the passenger seat) for the 60's - as it was not unusual for scout vehicles to carry back-back radios so you could park the jeep behind the hill and go up the hill and observe and report. When complete, she'll have a loudspeaker mounted to the front panel to the left of the data plates, another modification that was not all that uncommon - lets you hear the radio without having the handset jammed under your helmet all the time. I've got the speaker, I haven't mounted the bracket for it yet. I've also got an M11 decon bottle and bracket, but I haven't found a reference yet for where they were mounted, as they should have been on the 60's era jeeps. I suppose I should clarify - only one radio mounted at a time when on display, and that behind the passenger. But both of 'em in there when in storage.
Nice. She's looking good, and the radio pr0n is much appreciated. It warms the vacuum tubes in my heart. Believe it or not, we still have a few PRC-25s in inventory, but I'm sure that it's due to laziness in disposing, not from any operational usage.
What about the Army historian's office? The USAF guys at Wright-Pat have some pretty unbelieveable sources for the most obscure things...like when the Smithsonian wanted to know the EXACT appearance/dimensions/wood type for the toilet paper holder in the Enola Gay as they restored the innards of that airplane for display. Just a thought. Mebbe they have some specs for the PRC-25, if they were used by ALOs, ROMADs, SPs, whomever...
In the square a choir of about 40 sung the Star Spangled Banner without accent. Very moving to hear our National Anthem sung on such an occasion.
I'll poke around in the old loggie files and see what I can find.
OFS,
Real RTOs glow in the dark.
FM - the "MB" series and the M38 - the "square fender" jeeps. The nomenclature of M38A1 for my jeep is misleading, as it was a new jeep, not a modification to the M38.
The purists (such as Og), sniff at the M38A1 (and it's civvie brother, the CJ5) as not being true jeeps. Some people *hate* the "round fender" jeeps as a betrayal of the class.
I'm not averse to getting an MB or M38, but this jeep was available at a good price when I both had the cash and SWWBO's blessing...!
Oh, and mogas. Mostly mogas.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2063652/The-classic-Steve-McQueen-movie-immortalised-tunnels-Stalag-Luft-III-PoW-camp--astonished-archaeologists-discovered-fourth.html
Not only that, but it was the first *physical* step in the insidious plan for eliminating alcohol use among the troops -- you need the *square* fender to pop the cap on a beer bottle.
No, kids, we didn't have twist-off tops back in The Day.
That was fun.
And I made *them* pay for the AIDS test, too. I told 'em I warned her, but she wouldn't listen.
I won. They paid.
I passed the test, too.