commander

I will be taking the Dodge WC57 Command Car towing a 76mm howitzer cannon Commander

hopefully yes but waiting for confirmation Commander

I take it this little baby is still on live fire ticket and what is the calibre Rob ? Commander

Only if you have been a good boy and you haven't been acting like a dummy Commander

If any promenades fancy calling in it is a multi period military event so feel free to join in when you get there just ask for Chris/Commander to pick up a ticket to ride on the train Commander

Thanks for the info guys much appreciated , as they say you cannot have to much info Commander

Thanks for the info I would rather ask and be on the safe side Commander

I have got it back from the shot blasters and while I wait for it to go into the paint shop I have been sorting out the firing mechanism it is now firing off the primers ok no problem the next step is how do I sort out what to put in black powder wise and what is the best way to load it not wanting to go down the suck it and see method so any help tips of what to do or not to do would be very much appreciated Commander

We have just been informed that if we can get a group interested they are willing to pay for the Ammo to put a battle on does anybody have any contacts at this short notice Commander

A few pictures before it went to the bead blasters please excuse my welding

I know this may sound silly but I do not know the U.S. 75mm brass cases are to small and also the Russian cases seem to have a bigger flange on than the U.S. cases but until the time comes when I have one to measure I'm in the dark Commander

I will post some pictures tomorrow and I do not know of anyone specialising in Russian Artillery C

Well finally finished freeing everything off it rocks and rolls like it should do. The piece of armour plate that was missing that had been shot out of the right hand side which I had fabricated to fit in the gap came today so out with the welder and in it went after a struggle. I am taking it down to be low pressure glass shot blasted on Thursday apparently it does not damage the metal hardly at all when I was there they showed me some alloy engine cases they had done it looked very nice all I need now is some shell cases to load up for blank firing Commander

Thanks for that Commander

You wouldn't happen to have any WW2 Russian 76mm brass cases in this sale by any chance Commander

A quick update on the Russian howitzer I have been working on it all week the rear spade assembly is now freed off and working and the towing eye bracket is now off and waiting to be straightened out the rear locking assembly is free and working and also the elevation gears have been cleaned out the barrel was lifted off the carriage last thing tonight after a lot of work with the heat the pivot unit was rusted solid it has taken all day to free off and remove the 2 locking pins which hold the barrel on the carriage so in the morning it is out with the air gun with the lapping wheel on and hopefully reassemble watch this space for further news Commander

A road run is being organised for Saturday afternoon for anybody interested in taking part calling in at a couple points of local interest plus the obligatory watering holes Commander

I spent the weekend sorting the Howitzer out and under the crap and paint I found a stamping on the barrel dating it as a 1939 assembly but the carriage is all dated 1944 after 6 hours I got the breach to close properly and the firing mechanism operating as it should do there is still lots of stuff to free off yet but it is getting there Commander

A further update ref the War Wheels Weekend 0n the 16th 17th May at Foxfield Steam Railway. On the Saturday night (16th) they are putting on a Free Jazz/Folk/Blues/rock band for Exhibitors at the Station. Commander

The Foxfield Steam Railway Blythe Bridge people have been in touch and they say they are putting on a 1940's train set up including an actual locomotive that went ashore on the Normandy beaches in June 1944 C

I will keep my eye out for that thanks Commander

I went down and picked the cannon up today so the next job is to strip it down free everything off and paint it the cannon is a live firer I will get some pictures and post them when it isn't raining does anybody know what colour it should be C

If it is just a weekend show then I use the 7x9 tent ample for one two at a push if it is a longer show I use a 9x9 or a bell tent depending on how many the 9x9 is ok for two people if any more then use the bell tent and finally if there is no restriction and four or more people I use a large modern tent Commander

It's even better it goes bang as well. I can't wait Commander

Going down to pick up a couple of new toys to join the flock here a picture of one of the little dears Commander