halftrackinfo
pictures of your halftrack => post updates on the progress of your restoration => Topic started by: spillmk1 on October 26, 2018, 06:09:56 PM
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Hello!!
I've now started work on my new project named after my Great Aunt Bertha.
She was a tough old gal that didn't get electricity until the mid 80's
and never did have indoor plumbing.
My shop is in sight of her and Uncle Sampson's old farmhouse.
Here's the info:
A 1941 White M2 upgraded to a M2A1 by E.W. Wylie Inc.
She has a winch.
Hood # - USA 4012798 (was told it should have been 4012498)
Ord # - 2300
Serial # on the frame - W 231640
I was told she was first deployed at a military base in Colorado during WWII and used for training.
After that she was supposedly sold to a railroad company that used her to move around rail cars in the yard.
Kind of strange but plausible I guess??
Then on to "retirement" in Texas where she was purchased by the gentleman I bought her from back around 2000.
The frame/cab/suspension was sandblasted and painted back around 2005....
and they painted over a lot of issues!!
I've started rebuilding the bogie assemblies and all the brakes.
Having a GREAT time with a frozen crab but making progress.
It's going to be a fun project and thanks in advance for all the help I'm sure I'll be needing!!
Take care,
Keith
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You've got your fun cut out for you Keith! You're in the right place though - there's a lot of resourceful, talented half track owners here who will be glad to help you. Good luck with it and looking forward to lots of posts and pictures.
Jon
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Welcome,
It looks like a nice project. Make sure to keep the pictures coming. My halftrack was used to pull grain cars on a farm in Texas after the war. Yours may have pulled cars around at the railroad.
Gary
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Looks great Keith! I love the history behind the reason you name it. Where in Texas are you? My brother and I are also restoring one here in Texas.
Corey
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My crabs were stuck bad. I tapped in a zert right in the middle, squirted in a little liquid wrench and put as much pressure as I could with a greas gun. Then I heated it up until I saw seeping. Then I put it in a jig I made and slid very thick, very long pipes over the spring mounts. Then I just pushed these poles back and forth with a jack.
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Very nice starting point good luck and keep the pics coming
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Hello Corey,
I'm a bit east of Texas in the foothills of North Carolina!!!
Keith
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Keith
if you make a run to the coast of North Carolina, I have a very complete, but unrestored, 1941 M2 half track that never went though a rebuild...even has the yellow stars on it.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET
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Hello Corey,
I'm a bit east of Texas in the foothills of North Carolina!!!
Keith
Sorry Keith, I saw your comment about retirement in Texas and I guess I thought you meant you. Now I see you were obviously talking about you halftrack. Good luck and keep posting pictures!
Corey
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Was a bogie assembly kinda weekend.
Man...this is a LOT harder work than the M38A1 rebuild I did before the half track.
Makes for a great workout!!
Below are a few shoots of my work the past few weeks and progress this weekend.
Stay tuned!!!
Keith
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Looking great Keith!!
Steve A.
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Wow...that looks great!
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Hello from soggy NC!!!
Been busy on Bertha. A lot of work and some good progress.
But thought I'd post some shots from where she was found and the day I brought her home.
I'll post updates on recent work later this week.
She sat in a barn for about 18 years and the PO gathered parts but didn't do much work.
He had her cab/frame sandblasted and painted.
But very little mechanical work.
So plently of fun left for me!!!
Take care,
Keith
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A few more...
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Looks like you have a very good place to start from. Keep the pictures coming.
Steve
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Excellent! Looking forward to seeing your progress!
Don G
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Looks fantastic.
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I haven't posted in photos for a while so time to catch up a bit.
Much work, a bit of blood...….and a few new cuss words have been "discovered".
So let's go back in time a bit and hit some high spots......
Thanks,
Keith
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It's nice to see all of the neglected parts brought back, good work.
Gary
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Waaaaaaaay behind on posting photos. I'll try to catch up a bit the next few days.
It's been a heck of a project.
Lost about 15lbs and probably in the best shape I've been in in quite a while.
These things don't give up anything easily!!!!
Keith
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And a few more.....work began on the dash and wiring.
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And more wiring.....
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And work continues.....wiring.....
and installing the engine....which was a challenge working by myself.
Not quite like wrestling a small block Ford. ;)
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It looks fantastic Keith. Great job!!
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Keith,
Great progress. I had a wooden stand for my engine as well. Really good photos!!
PM Sent.
Paul
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Lot of hard work. But for such an amazing vehicle. Looks great.
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Louvers......hood armor.....front lights....door armor....
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Amazing Keith!!!!
Jon
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A lot of work done there, looks great.
Gary
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Where did you get your Pulpit?
Ron McAfee
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My pulpit came through JR Parts.
630-257-1100
Give Jillian a call and she'll be glad to help you.
Keith
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Winch....headlights.....interior.....
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You're really kickin' butt!! Looks great.
Jon
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Thanks.
Been working a bit over a year.....but have been really slack at posting photos.
Hopefully will have pics caught up later today.
Keith
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Rear floor......side armor.....painting...….and now we are up to the present status...…
Still much work and a bazillion details......but there were several bazillion.....so progress!!!!
Keith
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and a few more.....
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You are making it look easy... I know better! You have a source for seat and back rest cushions?
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You are making it look easy... I know better! You have a source for seat and back rest cushions?
Wheeew…..not too many "easy" things on a half track. ;)
Got a quote from Beechwood a while back on cushions.
Have a few miscellaneous pieces.
You have a good source?
Somebody posted about a place called All American Mfg and Canvas Works.
They sounded interesting.
Keith
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Keith,
Im so jealous of your track! You are really doing a great job. Beautiful craftsmanship with attention to detail. Starting to wish mine was a bolt by bolt restoration!
Jon
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Thanks Jon!!
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Excellent job.
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Excellent job.
Thanks!!
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Working on the rear armor.
Fabricating the flat connectors and the angle iron supports.
Got the lockers bolted in.
Slow but steady.....
Keith
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That looks incredible!
Corey
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Bravo! Great progress!
Don G
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Your halftrack looks great! Nice work.
Gary
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Got a few things done since last update....
Ammo locker doors, pulpit with M49 ring, ring carriage assembled and 30/50 cradles refurbed and in place, grab handles, and other misc stuff...….
Progress!!!!
Keith
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Very, very nice Keith!
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A bit more progress the past few days....
Windshields in.
Were NOS frames but middle membrane had yellowed so I had to get new glass.
Stenciling was next on the list.
Always stressful...especially the big stuff like the hood star.
Had to get my wife to help me get it stuck down.
Progress!!
Keith
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Looks great, Keith! Stencils are a real pain in the ass! >:(
Keep up the good work. We seem to be updating our threads at similar intervals, lol. ;D
Corey
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The stenciling looks great, nice work.
Gary
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Gorgeous!
Excellent work.
Tim
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Looks awesome. My first Half-Trac ( I still have it BTW ) is hood number 4012884. Probably both produced in the same month. October ISH 1941.
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Looks awesome. My first Half-Trac ( I still have it BTW ) is hood number 4012884. Probably both produced in the same month. October ISH 1941.
Kevin, mine was made right around then. What is your serial number and Keith what's your serial number?
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Mine is serial #W231640.
Ordnance #2300.
Keith
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My M2A1 is White Serial # 231982 Ordnance # 2686
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More progress...…
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Wow! Looks great!! ;D
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Nice job Keith!
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Awesome work! Where did you get all of your screws?
Corey
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Awesome work! Where did you get all of your screws?
Corey
Thanks!!
You talking about all the oval head slotted 3/8 x 24's?
I had a few hundred and bought a few more hundred from Kevin Lockwood.
Keith
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Half track update....The Reveal!!!!
Well here we go....a lot of of blood, sweat, and creating new colorful metaphors........here she is.....Bertha.
Named after my Great Aunt Bertha...a tough lady who's picture I included along with Uncle Sampson. They didn't get electricity till the mid 80's and you never met two happier folks.
Thanks for all the info and encouragement!!
So without further ado....
Y'all stay healthy!!
Keith
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And a few more...…………...
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You did an incredible job Keith. It's fantastic!
Jon
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Excellent work, your halftrack looks great.
Gary
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Great looking machine! Well done..
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All dressed up and no where to go. Like placement of cutoff switch, might change mine so I can reach from driver’s seats. Nice job
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Beautiful work, Keith!! Great looking halftrack.
Tim
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Amazing job! Well done!
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Thanks guys for all the comments!!
Below are a few links to some videos of me and Bertha playing on the farm.
https://youtu.be/-Io_G109pDE
https://youtu.be/RutCKo18RRY
https://youtu.be/v35qGzEELXk
Thanks,
Keith
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Great videos, Keith! Thanks for taking the time to record and share these shots with the community.
Corey
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Thanks for the videos. Your halftrack looks great and right at home off road.
Gary
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FYI.....
If interested I created a YouTube channel with several videos at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4L193m9Fbwkp9XxRyo_2aw/
Thanks,
Keith
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Thanks for sharing Keith! Great videos and what a wonderful location of your workshop btw!!
Rob
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We went to a military show in Denton, NC on 4/25. Had a really great time and met a lot of great folks.
Here are a few shots of Bertha from the event and links to a couple of videos of us cruzin' around the grounds giving rides.
Keith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD9hBPgUTOg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NZSrb-5OxY
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That’s one hella of a job. Nice work
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Hi Keith,
I have a question.
In your pictures on page 3 (I think), you have mounted the shortened ammo locker behind the drivers seat. I was understanding that it was mounted behind the passenger seat to allow better access to the rear.
Can you clear up my confusion please.
BTW, a very helpful thread. Thanks.
Sam.
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Those are not the correct original ammo lockers. The originals are set back further to the center area.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20210814_163447.jpg)
Steve A.
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They are half sized that were purchased by the previous owner. While not correct, they do allow much better access to the rear so older veterans and other passengers have a much easier time climbing on board for parades and other events. It also allows for more room to stand and throw candy and have fun. ;D
I don't think the photo above is actually correct for an M2A1. The locker on the co-driver side should be half sized as you pointed out as shown below.
Thanks for the nice comments about my thread. It was a fun project!!
Keith