M2A1 "Hell Hound" project

[67tank]

Just joined the forum.  Bought a M2A1 last month from the PO in Chino Hills, California.  Had it brought up to Northern California and started the project.  Have most of the front armor, plus a crate engine, two transmissions, spare front and rear axle, and a whole bunch of parts that I am learning where they are supposed to go.  Outside of removing armor and sending parts to the sandblaster, I am spending most of my time doing research - have gone thru a lot of posts here, Andy's build thread on Military Surplus forum,  the Steel Soldiers forum and many others - realize I have a lot to learn. 

I am a former Armor officer 3/67th Armor,  (both 1st Cav and 2nd Armored Division)  (attached a photo of my tank near the Kuwait-Iraq border 1992) and am going to restore the halftrack to the BN HQ section of my old unit.  3rd battalion's motto was "Hounds of Hell" so figured "Hell Hound" would be a good name for the battle wagon.  Just need to figure out the numbering for a HQ halftrack - but I am a long way from stencils. 

Look forward to picking your collective brains

[spec4don]

Welcome aboard, where in northern California are you? There are several owners up in that area. It's always good to hook with other owners, Having held makes a world of difference!

Keep the pictures coming!

Don G.

[prestone]

Good luck for your project

Prestone

[yd328]

Welcome,
You have a nice project there, you will find a lot of good information and help here.

Gary

[andy]

Finally I get to see pics Pat lol,

Andy

[col.halftrack]

Welcome to the troop!
 Does your vehicle retain the dataplate as I would like to add this to the list. If not at least the frame serial #.
 Thanks

[67tank]

COL H

The PO provided me two complete unrestored dash boards - One had the old data plate with " Car Half Track M2A1 Was Car Half Track M2"  MFGRS  Serial "No 230709 Ft Crook" ORD Serial No "1380 2 17 45" 
On the frame behind the driver's side tire 230709 is stamped on the frame.  I will look tonight for other markings. 

[steve-0]

welcome to the group.

halftracks had a big role in ww2 and from what i have heard these where the first sent in in many situations.
  with the advancements in fully tracked vehicles its not likely they will make a comeback in the modern military.
this fact does not relate to any other vehicle that i can think of. jeeps and tanks continued with changes.

what i am getting at is that you are restoring a one of a kind piece of history.
i hope this forum keeps you motivated through your project.

steve

[col.halftrack]

Thanks for the data plate info 67tank
 If you pm me your email I can send a list of half-trac parts.
 Using your ord number off the data plate your hood number should be 4011578
 Not sure if you knew this or not

[steve1973]

Welcome to the forum! I think I saw a video on youtube of your halftrack a while back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yHmqi_7Bvg. Do you need a winch? I have two to chose from plus a lot of other parts. If you need help don't hesitate to ask anyone here.

Steve A.

[67tank]

That's it - that was the PO.

Have a winch - the PO had picked one up.  I'm going to tear it apart this winter/strip the paint/rebuild.  I do not have the three braces for underneath. 

[steve1973]

Pat,
Your halftrack is just like the third one i've owned seen in this video.

http://youtu.be/D-h-Zt_ipw4

What are your plans for restoration, original or as is?

Steve A.

[Outsider]

Steve, Did you sell the red ht you had? As 67tank's looks to match the home made winch bumper, cab and rear bed as his!

Steve

[steve1973]

I ended up selling all three to someone to get the one I have now. The winch bumper on the red one is original unlike 67tank's. The rest of the track is spot on the same as 67tank's. My plane before I sold it was to put a hoist set up from a larger bomb truck on the back and keep it as is. I think that would look great in my opinion. Who knows, it could have happend in WWII with a junked track. It was also my first driveable halftrack. It was a blast giving rides to every one. I used it to push the other two on a truck a block away for shipping east.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxAGHzSOQz8&list=UUEn32PkWfuFNLcL_frAx9UA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRtZfI443P8&list=UUEn32PkWfuFNLcL_frAx9UA

steve A.

[67tank]

Steve

The plan is to restore this back to original condition and marked up as a 67th Armor Regiment halftrack (France late 44)- LONG way to go