Author Topic: My M2A1 progress  (Read 7128 times)

8683jb

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My M2A1 progress
« on: September 01, 2019, 09:06:23 PM »
It’s been quite a while since I posted any progress on my half-track and since I’m still crippled up from shoulder surgery and can’t do any real work on it, I thought I’d catch up a little on the pictures of my progress:

Thanks to Mike Breshears/warbirdrestorer, I was able to get most of the missing rear armor and a lot of other parts to get this project off the dime. The only armor pieces he didn’t have that I needed were the ammo locker doors and the top plate across the rear. Paul/superjeep wasn't planning to make them anytime soon, so I made drawings of those parts and had them water-jetted locally. I was amazed at the finish and the fact that they have a tolerance of .005”. They did all the bolt holes as well, although I had to countersink them. I still have to drill holes for the grab handles and the various footman loops on the top rear plate.








Mike also had a perimeter rail that came out of John Kerpa’s half-track, which he was returning to M2 configuration. The rail was in several pieces, but Mike gave me enough parts & pieces to repair it and make it whole again.





I installed a repro pulpit and an original M49 ring. I had to fabricate some of the brackets and re-locate the mount for the pole on the rear of the ring.















Like most pulpit reproductions I’ve seen, the bottom edge over the door was not relieved as the original ones were, preventing the door from opening and closing with the armor in the up position. I cut that relief with a 4” cutoff wheel and used a carbide burr to cut the radius at each end.






I put off the undercarriage as long as I could! I replaced the almost non-existent bogie hubs with good used hubs and installed NOS bogie rollers and bogie frame shafts and new bearings throughout. I used NOS grease seals, which were pretty firm. But after soaking a few weeks in neatsfoot oil they became pliable enough.









I had a heavy friction shop nearby rivet on new brake shoes and turn the rear brake drums. I rebuilt the wheel cylinders and installed new axle seals.





I switched sides on the sprockets to use the new sides of the teeth, replaced the axle bearings and rear idler bearings and put on a set of NOS Israeli tracks.





The new tires came from Summit Racing. They were priced near what Coker Tire was charging for the same tire, but Summit had free shipping and no sales tax. A local tire shop removed the old, rock-hard tires and installed the new tires, tubes and flaps for 40.00 each!





I painted the rear half and the inside of the bed with 33070 OD, which closely matched the paint on the rest of the half-track, and applied the stars and hood numbers using masks from Rick Larson. Hood star yet to go. I have a local sign company making the masks for the bumper numbers and I’ll post those after they’re painted. I decided to mark mine up as from B Company, 56th Armored Infantry Battalion, 12th Armored Division. The 12th AD used various symbols to identify their battalions and I hand-cut the stencil for the symbol here. I’m working with curators from the 12 AD Museum on getting a complete list of those symbols and if I can get it, I’ll post it here in case anyone else is interested in honoring the 12th.   








Well, that’s about as far I’ve gotten for now.
 
As soon as I have both arms again:

- Rebuild or replace the steering box
- Fabricate the rear steps and bumperettes
- Clean, coat and install fuel tanks
- The clutch is still dragging, so I see a transmission/transfer case removal in my future
- Replace the engine oil pan gasket

Many fun and action-packed hours yet to come!

Jon



« Last Edit: September 02, 2019, 10:18:55 AM by 8683jb »
'42 Autocar M2A1

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spec4don

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2019, 09:40:45 PM »
Looking really good!

Don G
1941 M2A1 not restored
1942 M3 Diamond T Mostly restored
1943 M3A1 Under restoration
1967 M51A2 Tractor
1945 WC 63 needs restoration
1967 M36 Long wheel base duece
1951 M135 GMC Fire truck conversion

p3aflyer

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2019, 10:02:30 PM »
That looks great Jon!  Keep up the good work, can't wait to see all the halftrack bling!!!
Hope your shoulder heals up soon so you can get back at it!!!

Sierra Padre

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2019, 10:35:11 PM »
It’s really coming together! Looks great!

Doug
Adversity is not an adequate deterrent.

1941 White M2A1

8683jb

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2019, 10:12:51 AM »
Thank you guys!
'42 Autocar M2A1

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R.E.Co.

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2019, 04:37:51 PM »
Wonderful work! Mike is helping me out on a rear floor and skate rail for my M2. I hope to be as far as you in May next year!

Jon
1941 White M2
1941 Chevrolet G506 Civilian Dash
1941 Federal 94-43 4-5 Ton COE
1918 3 Ton Field Gun Trailer

yd328

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2019, 06:50:19 PM »
Nice work, the halftrack is coming right along.

Gary

Ma Deuce

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2019, 07:35:19 PM »
Learn something with every post. I was wondering why my door wouldn’t close with armor up.
Nice track it will be worth all the effort when done
Mike
INMVPA
1948 Willy’s CJ 2A
1953 Willy’s CJ 3A
1947 Bantom T3-C trailer
1968 M274A5 Mechanical Mule
1943 White M3A1

col.halftrack

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2019, 07:42:51 AM »
I am thrilled that you saved this great track. I remember seeing that as a kid traveling with my family.
 
1941 White M2
1942 White M4A1 was M4
1942 Autocar M2A1
1942 Autocar M3-75
1943 White M13 rebuilt as M16
1943 Diamond T M3A1

8683jb

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2019, 10:35:05 AM »
I am thrilled that you saved this great track. I remember seeing that as a kid traveling with my family.
Thanks again guys. Kevin - here’s a picture of it when I first saw it in your shop. It’s been a rewarding project, even though it’s kicked my butt every step of the way!

[attachment deleted by admin. sorry all images over 3000  kb where deleted automatically
« Last Edit: September 05, 2019, 10:53:33 AM by 8683jb »
'42 Autocar M2A1

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67tank

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2019, 11:06:37 AM »
Jon
The track looks incredible.  Great work!!!
Pat
1941 M2A1 (under restoration)

spillmk1

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2019, 12:38:36 PM »
I am thrilled that you saved this great track. I remember seeing that as a kid traveling with my family.
Thanks again guys. Kevin - here’s a picture of it when I first saw it in your shop. It’s been a rewarding project, even though it’s kicked my butt every step of the way!

Great job!!!
And yes....my half track also kicks my butt on a regular basis!!!!

Keith
1955 M38A1 Jeep
1952 M100 Trailer
1941 M2A1 Half Track
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Smadge

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2019, 06:01:47 PM »
Jon,

Looks great. I can’t believe those worn bogie hubs!!

Paul
1941 M2-232 Autocar (restoring)
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8683jb

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2019, 07:49:27 PM »
I finally got to where I can work on the half-track a little, so I painted the hood star and bumper numbers. I don’t care much for painting but it’s fun to get some of the little detail work done.

'42 Autocar M2A1

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Tapper02

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Re: My M2A1 progress
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2019, 08:15:29 PM »
Looking good Jon...it's all the little stuff that really brings these projects together!


-Tom
1944 Autocar M15A1 (M16A1) Halftrack
  (Being restored to an M3A1 configuration)
  Serial Number M-15 A 1, 1356
  Model M-16 A 1, Ord Serial Number 1106
1944 Schelm Bros. M10 Ammunition Trailer
  Serial Number 16959
MVPA # 30507