Author Topic: Introductions  (Read 5971 times)

brit plumber

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Introductions
« on: July 08, 2020, 02:39:24 PM »
Hi, I was looking for somewhere to introduce myself but I can’t find an appropriate place so I thought I’d try here.

My name is Chris and I live in the middle of the UK, I’ve always loved all things Military and joined the Royal Air Force 25 years ago. Since then I’ve owned WW2 British Motorcycles but sold most of them to buy my dream of a jeep. My second dream has always been to own an M16 halftrack and I’m thinking the time maybe now. I enjoy the restoration and fabrication side of ownership rather than the driving so I’m looking at projects rather than restored examples. I’ve got an eye on a project for sale by a chap called Rudi Pomme in the Netherlands (missing the rear floor and M45) but I’m obviously a novice to the Halftrack so would appreciate some thoughts if I can post some photos. My main worry would be that someone says, “that’s missing and you’ll never find one”.



1942 VEP GPW

8683jb

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2020, 03:01:36 PM »
Welcome Chris! Very nice looking project. The armor you have with it is a nice bonus. There are many very knowledgeable people on this site who'll be happy to help you with the information, parts sources, advice, etc. that you may need. Post lots of pictures as you go. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Jon
'42 Autocar M2A1

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Smadge

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2020, 06:15:15 PM »
Welcome aboard Chris!

Paul
1941 M2-232 Autocar (restoring)
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spillmk1

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2020, 05:29:55 AM »
Hello Chris.
Welcome to the craziness.
Nice looking project.
A lot of good parts there.
Just needs a bit of TLC.  ;)

A wealth of info here and info
is a GREAT tool!!!

Keith
1955 M38A1 Jeep
1952 M100 Trailer
1941 M2A1 Half Track
MVPA Member

Crawford

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2020, 05:41:40 AM »
Chris

Welcome to the club and mate, it gets expensive!!!

Crawford
UK
1943 GPW
1943 Diamond T M3A1

Oxford, England

brit plumber

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2020, 07:25:18 AM »
Hi all and thanks for the welcomes. I don’t have a project yet, I’m still researching but Rudis projects is exactly the type I’d be looking for, I just have to free up funds tied up else where!

Can anyone recommend a good book or two and tell me if parts are difficult to find for an M16, repro is fine if there good. After all, 70+ years have past and much has been used up.

Can anyone also confirm dimensions as 7’ 1” wide by 7’ 8” high by 21’ 4” long and does that include the M45 because it looks higher in photos!
1942 VEP GPW

Crawford

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2020, 10:16:58 AM »

Chris

Copies of the original manuals can be bought or found as free downloads on various web sites. Part of the fun is finding the parts, but generally there are a lot available here, Europe or the States.

There is an incredible amount of expertise on this site you can tap into, everybody is more than willing to help out. Most of us have been there at some point.

Put your hand in your pocket!!

https://www.paperprint.be

Cheers
Crawford
1943 GPW
1943 Diamond T M3A1

Oxford, England

spillmk1

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2020, 11:18:51 AM »
Agree with above.
Get all the reference/military manuals you can get your hands on.
Go to Amazon and search Half Track in books section.
Also the "manual" section of this forum will have some links to online manuals
on places to order hard copies.

Keith
1955 M38A1 Jeep
1952 M100 Trailer
1941 M2A1 Half Track
MVPA Member

WayOffTrack

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2020, 01:01:41 PM »
7'8" is the top of the pulpit armor on an M3, the Maxson would definitely be higher.

coreyelliott

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2020, 05:52:37 PM »
If you haven't found it yet, here is a thread on this site with some of the free manuals.  It's a great starting point.

http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=993.0

Corey
1941 Autocar M2A1 (M2-13)

emptyhead

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2020, 05:08:21 AM »
Welcome to the club. Looks like a nice project. Keep us informed

yd328

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2020, 08:49:49 AM »
Welcome to the forum.
There is a lot of help and knowledge here so ask away. The cab forward portion is basically the same as the other White, Diamond T or Autocar halftracks and so is the drivetrain. The internationals are different. The back portion of the M16 is probably where some of the harder parts to find will be. Most of that can be fabricated or reproduced. Even some of the harder parts to find are out there. For example, exhaust manifolds and lifters for the engine are getting harder to find. Good luck with your search.

Gary


brit plumber

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2020, 05:08:16 AM »
Thanks for the additional welcomes. I’m in discussions with Rudi on this halftrack  so I’ll keep you updated.
1942 VEP GPW

brit plumber

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2020, 02:23:59 PM »
Well I’ve got the funds together to purchase a track but I’ve not heard from Rudi in a while. It’s still listed for sale but I fear I may have missed it. Either that or he could be away working.
1942 VEP GPW

Selliott

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Re: Introductions
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2020, 03:57:13 PM »
Welcome Pal,

Good luck and get ready for some skinned knuckles!!!!

Shon Elliott
"Lucky 13"
1941 Autocar M2 #13
MVPA
WWII Living Historian