M2A1 Restoration

[yd328]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting

Gary

[67tank]

Tom
Much thanks.  I have been taking a crash course on mounts from COL Halftrack (among others) and your post with photos and corresponding description of the types of mounts, really just brought it all together. 
I had purchased last year the "cheapest/easiest way" for the side/rear from Al Stiefel - three cast sockets, brackets and the gun cradle.  But since speaking with Col Halftrack, Steve1973 as well as going over your posts, I realize that wont work for my 1917 water cooled .30 cal.  I can keep the bracket and cast socket, but will need to get the correct cradle.  Looks like I have so more money to spend.  And then I still get to look forward to finding a M49 ring/trolley and cradle for the ma deuce. 

Again thanks and well done on the war wagon. 

[RocnTJ]

Happy to help out.   Others on this forum helped me out a lot during my restoration so I am glad I could do the same.  Let me know if you need to see anything else.

Tom

[RocnTJ]

Well my brother is out visiting for a week so he helped me finish a couple of long awaited projects on the half track.   I finally painted the bumper numbers on my track.   I chose 2nd Armored - 41st Infantry because I saw several pictures of half tracks with this unit number fighting in Bastogne and on into Germany late in the war.   I am restoring my half track into one that would have fought in Europe late in the war.   Let me know what you think.



Front bumper.  Also painted the bridge weight class on the right fender and the antifreeze status on top of the radiator.



The rear bumper.

Also added a couple of decals to the doors to add some color.   Not original but I wanted to show the organizations that I belong to.



My Central Coast Oregon Club decal and a 2nd Armored decal.



Waiting on a MVPA decal to add to the lineup.   


Getting closer to being 100% done

Tom

[SNAFU 62]

Looks great Tom. Hope mine will look that good one day and be that well dressed.

[steve1973]

Looks great Tom! Looking forward in seeing it in April at Tower Park. I hope to get a ride to A&W again.

Steve A.

[RocnTJ]

Definitely, wouldn't miss the A&W run.    Should be in top form at tower park.   Maybe I can drive this time

[Tapper02]

Looking good Tom!!

[yd328]

Tom,
Looks great with all the equipment on it.  The brass on the 1917 is a little to shiny .

Gary

[RocnTJ]

Thanks for the compliments.   Gary you are right it was blinding me when I took the picture.    LOL.  Will have to work on getting it weathered a little.

Tom

[67tank]

Tom
Bumper numbers look great.  3rd Bn 41st infantry was the Infantry battalion in our Armor BDE and my company routinely task organized with them in the 90's.  It was with that Task Force that I deployed for my first tour overseas in '92.  It's always great to see those bumper numbers on any combat rig.  Brings back some good memories.  Well done

Where did you get the stencil for the 8 ton bridge marking?  That looks perfect. 

[RocnTJ]

Thanks for sharing the info Pat.    The stencil came from Rick Larsen.    Be careful what paint you use when painting the stencils.  I found the rust oleum spray cans work good.    I ran out of semi gloss black when I was painting the bridge marking and used some engine paint I had sitting on the shelf.   It wanted to pull up when removing the paint mask really bad.   I had to do some brush touch up to repair it.  Up close it does not look as good.   

Tom

[RocnTJ]

Took my half track out to do some off-roading this past weekend with the NRG group.  Here is a video of our group leaving camp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAChyLqcVKk#t=10

Had a great time and the track performed flawlessly.  I even had to pressure wash the mud out of the tracks when I got home. 

Tom

[spec4don]

Awesome! Looks like fun!!

[RocnTJ]

Picture of my Track at its last outing.    First time it has had mud in the tracks