Gordon_M

You are right about the star, should have spotted that. I think D-Day to Berlin could be the right time period too. I wonder if that truck was following the controversial General for news purposes? That would fit too, and explain the WC56 rather than something more humble. 3rd Army 166th Signals maybe? http://www.combatcamera.be/combat-photography-units/166th-signal-photographic-company/

Well we like a challenge :-D First things first I can see what looks like a rear fender, meaning that is a WC56 rather than a WC51. The truck could be anything from late '42 to '45. Front bumper, from the left; What looks like a 9 in a red circle I reckon could be a 3 in a painted circle, as a painted bridge rating plate. 3A = 3rd Army ( Patton's ? ) 16xxx = no idea, looks like it may end in S for Signal Corp A = no idea PHOTO = official photographer 6 = vehicle 6

I think the 'straight edge' is what it says on the box, a scale rather than an edge. Typically the 184/61 marking would mean it was the 184th scale made in 1961, and that date would match the plastic label plate type. I would expect the reamers and handles to have manufacturers marks, which may tell us more. It is quite possible they are over a hundred years old, per the stamping, and I'd guess they are good for a while yet. One thing you might try is to lift out the wooden insert that all the reamers are held in, just in case there is an invoice, or a guarantee form, loose under neath it. I don't think either have a specific purpose other than general engineering tooling, but nice items regardless.

If the order was wrong it would barely move the vehicle. :-\ It COULD be anything, but it is easiest to start with static timing, then check for partially collapsed fuel hose, carb problem, vacuum leak, etc, etc. With electronic ignition I'd guess you needed to experiment, as the modern fuel and running characteristics will be way different.

You have a lot of new stuff on there, difficult to tell. If I had to guess, the static timing is wrong and it is advancing too far under load, or something along those lines. First thing I'd try is retarding the timing two or three degrees and give it a try - remembering where it was to start so you can put it back, of course.

Not sure about the winch, seen that argued either way. they only built one batch of WC58, 2344 of them, chassis numbers for the contract ( more than one type ) starting 81529001, so if your chassis number is close to that it is possible, if it is way above that, probably not. The one sure identifier is the body plate ( on cowl under bonnet ) if it is 4219-xxxx it is a Command Car, if 4229-xxxx then it is an original radio truck. The reason they didn't build more was really simple - they didn't have to. All the WC56 and 57 Command, and the WC53 Carryall trucks were 12 volts and radio equipment could just be bolted in and used, so building radio equipment in on the line was not that necessary. Late war, when the Command and Carryall were discontinued, the Weapon Carrier had been moved to 12 volt too and suppressed so they could just put radios in that when needed.

I think the amount of time you are not now spending on the Disco may be a factor...

Wood welding ahoy then 8-) Well, having followed my own advice and checked back through the thread, it looks to me that you should have a substantial amount of Thorny spare parts too - how far off Thorny number 2 are you? -or will you wisely parcel it up and hand it over to another enthusiast?

Any contemporary or slightly later Chrysler 6 volt unit should fit. There might be an owner out there with a truck converted to solenoid start, that would do you a straight swap to get the original type.

It does look promising. You'll be ordering the wood for the seat and rear body any time now. In the unlikely event that anyone isn't that impressed, go back to page 1 and look at what they started with. :cool2:

I haven't seen that site before. I did check out the mentions they get on G503 and I think a refund might be the best way to go ...

Never heard of that company, and if they did Dodge parts, I would have. The only reputable company anything like that is John Bizal at Midwest Military. John is fine to deal with, if not very speedy, but that is very common.

Cutting and brazing that spigot would be a real pity after it had survived a hundred years in one piece. I'd support the idea of a double 90 degree elbow.

If it's a half ton 4 x 2, 39 - 47, it'll probably do, they were by far the most common. That shaft was primarily used on three speed transmissions, TC, VC, and WC civilian trucks, but also TD and VD one ton civilians too, in both 120" and 133" wheelbase - but NOT the WD trucks.

E-Bay for that Degsy. There are relatively few people on here that would have anything that would fit, but an E0Bay ad for a generic Chrysler / Dodge / Plymouth light duty propshaft, car or light truck, 39-45 would be more likely to find a taker. Be sure to quote an exact length. Most of the Dodge and Plymouth truck stuff was 116", 120", or 133" wheelbase, with 116" being by far the most common ( half ton ) No idea on car wheelbases though.

Evening Degsy . that's one of those that you either know or don't. Chrysler corporation light duty three speed propshaft. Found on the 1939-47 half ton 4 x 2 Dodge light truck ( pickup, Carryall, van ... ) also on a lot of the contemporary cars, Dodge, Plymouth.

How very appropriate. If I'm not mistaken that is a Roper Whitney Junior punch, a copy of the original Whitney Metal Tool punch that goes back well before WW2, possibly to the time of the Thorny. If it wasn't for the plastic covered handle and plastic case it would be quite the thing.

Radio or thermal shielding?

"up to five years" to restore in 1983, anyone here NOT got that particular teeshirt? :-D

Canvas surprise in wet weather Superior Command Cars and Carryalls don't suffer from it :cool2:

I could tell almost exactly the same story about a Dodge spare wheel, where the truck itself passed through three owners before I went four owners back - and the chap said could I please take away this big heavy spare wheel that he had been waiting for the original purchaser ( long deceased ... ) to come back for. Some things are meant to be.

Sorry Danny, got no matches to that number. The only general point in the listing is that all the Kidde items listed are CO2 units, while powder, chemical, etc are all other manufacturers. Up to 7lbs weight seem to be available primarily as pistol grip units

I have the Naval Aviation listing for the Pistol Grip CO2 Kidde extinguishers here ( denoted by the "R" prefix) 2.36lbs, 16" long, total weight 8.9lbs, model 2TA, part no 26295, stock code R58-E-205 3.62lbs, 20 3/16" long, total weight 13.5lbs, model 4TB, part no 93138, stock code R58-E-211-22 5 lbs, 15 7/8" long, total weight 16.3lbs, model 5TA, part no 92755, stock code R58-E-207 7lbs 4oz, 20 3/8" long, total weight 22.2lbs, model 7TA, part no 92508, stock code R58-E-210 Spec M106C, Walter Kidde and Company the 15lb CO2 capacity unit weighs 55lbs total, and stock code is 58-E-194, but it doesn't specify a manufacturer. My "4lb"Kidde unit meets the details of the R58-E-211-22 above

De-icing supply of some kind?

Detonator / arming contact for a fuse of some kind?