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cordenj

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Everything posted by cordenj

  1. cordenj
    Dave, John in that link aka "Blackpowder44" is also a member on this forum. He found the pale green 100gall bower earlier this year and is planning to restore it...however, I'd not previously seen what he is going to use as a donor for the central spine. As you say the donor chassis does seem to have a welded flat floor which is similar to your trailer. I've been thinking again about what type your chassis might be: The only other type that I have not seen in detail "in the metal" is the REME Lighweight Store Trailer (often called the Binned Trailer). The one drawing I have of this type in publication W.O. 5460 Identification List, does seem to suggest that it might have had the binns built up from a flat floor covering the normal ladder chassis.
  2. cordenj
    Hi Dave, ...and another British 10cwt trailer appears! Some interesting features on your trailer: 1. You have the normal 6-stud wheels and hubs, but all my trailers have always had single piece wheels. Yours are split rims. 2. Rear chassis cross-member has two hinges for a later drop down tailgate, but was originally drilled for rear hitch and the two stands; 3. Front chassis/drawbar looks to be a replacement, as the usual British trailers had the twin folded steel beams with the handbrake mechanism placed between them; 4. The main chassis that I can see in pictures seems to be similar to those used on REME trailers, but I'd guess tha the floor and wheel arches have been fabricated at a later date, possibly after it entered civilian life. Compare to the detailed photos around post #43; 5. Rear spring and Andre-Harford Damper all all correct. 6. What type of hitch does it have?
  3. cordenj
    Thanks Richard: Trailer will be there from Sunday and then on display with Neil's ("agincourt1") workshop trailer and a range of other airborne equipment in the western side of the main living history section of the show. I'll be around, but busy as wearing a purple shirt...but hope to meet up. Neil: Glad you've tackled the benches first, as I can then learn from any lessons. Each one must weigh nearly 1 cwt!
  4. cordenj
    Hi Mark, Excellent. Look forward to seeing it in the metal at W&P.
  5. cordenj
    Another photo of WWI Water Cart (can just see it) with troops on Ebay. Item number: 400305554672. (I have no link to the seller)
  6. cordenj
    It was interesting to talk to current serving REME who said that they wished they had a trailer as practical as the WWII version. They don't have a mobile drill press or bench grinder, just a basic cargo trailer full of tools (even if they are Snap_On). They said they are issued with a Magdrill.....but as they pointed out, not a lot of use on alloy armour. I got the impresioon that the procurement is made by others and doesn't involve the input from frontline troops. Was it ever thus? Met the Technical Curator for the REME Museum, who has since sent over a set of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Reguations that usefully listed all the equipment to be carried on the Lightweight Airborne REME trailer. All I need to do now is find the missing kit. A great day, but I understand it will probably not be repeated.
  7. cordenj
    To celebrate 70 years from formation, the REME organised a Corps Day last Saturday at the Arborfield Barracks. I took my Airborne REME Lightweight Electrical Repair Trailer and travelled in convoy from Reigate with some other IMPS members. We joined several vehicles from the REME reserve collection and the owner of a certain well known Ford. Guess who turned up in the red Amphicar....suffice to say he is better known for DUKWs! Apparantly he alledges that the army really did test Amphicars in 1960s! Here are a few photos of what was a very good day:
  8. cordenj
    Yes. Will be there with Jeep and Airborne trailer. Camping Saturday with young daughter. Always one of the family's favorite shows with Harris's fair, tractors, fire and traction engines etc.
  9. cordenj
    Quite correctly liability was, and will remain, with us as vehicle owners/drivers. The MoT is only ever a snapshot at the time of inspection. When I responded to original government consultation, my request was for a new "MoT Lite" that covered the basics for older vehicles (much as the original did when it was introduced in the 1960's). My local garage in Reigate, who has a number of pre-1960 owning customers on his books, is going to offer a service of an annual check and a signed note on his headed paper to say all ok or any recommended works. While I maintain my Jeep myself to a high standard, I will appreciate the second independent view and will use his proposed new service....BUT as Mike says, there are bound to be a minority who will abuse the system and that could well lead to greater restrictions on the use of pre_1960 vehicles.
  10. cordenj
    Neil, Looking forward to seeing some photos of progress and the "large drill" :-)
  11. cordenj
    Hi Doug, Not as far as I know; but agree with you and have already considered making some extension pieces for the frame legs to lift the frame and cover. It would be a simple "field mod" even if it wasn't part of the original design.
  12. cordenj
    Thanks for the kind comments everyone. Collecting the extra kit will continue to be a challenge, but hope that displaying it with the kit I have will help flush out other stuff! Simon: happy to try to answer any questions on Mk1. Cheers
  13. cordenj
    FINISHED (except for the benches)..... signficantly different to the first post to this thread last November. I said before that I will make the collapsible workbenches from scratch, but that is a job for this winter. First public outing will be REME 70th at Arborfield in June, and then part of a much larger Airborne display at W&P in July. . Markings added using excellent stencils from my usual source...Tony at Axholme Signs. Placement and size of X-numbers all based on original photos: Original cover was hand washed (several times), rotten leather straps all replaced by a local saddler, camouflage pattern added in matt black paint and then all waterproofed with Thompson's Waterseal. This is the only original cover I am aware of that has survived. It is of a complicated pattern, and if anyone wishes to have a copy made for their trailer, please ask for more detailed photos of its method of construction. Some have expressed surprise that leather was used for the straps, where clearly webbing was readily available; but when the old leather was removed there was no sign of previous stitching, so the saddler believes the leather straps were fitted from new. Pleased to have been able to restore one of the rarest Airborne Lightweight trailers, and think it has turned out well. This thread has always been intended to be a resource for Lightweight REME trailers, so I encourage anyone else to add relevent content. WANTED: I am looking for examples of the WWII dated tools to build up the kit, and am still looking for a second Large 6v Battery box, there must be another out there somewhere! If anyone has any leads on where I might find one...please pm me. Thanks
  14. cordenj
    A cased Black & Decker Vibro-Centric Valve seat refacer and Standard Stone Dressing Stand were part of the original equipment. I found one for sale near Portsmouth and picked it up a couple of weeks ago and this is what it looks like: The case had been "Hammerited" on outside, but inside still in original B&D red paint; I've now stripped and repainted the outside (under the Hammerite was standard British Green O/D, then B&D Red gloss) . Wasn't sure where it went in the trailer, but the photo below shows it in BondaPrimer slotted perfectly into original purpose made housing: You can see from the fittings that other kit was designed to go into this part of trailer but not sure what yet. I believe the full list of equipment was listed in the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regulations: Vehicles General (Issue 1, 1946) .....does anyone have a copy of the relevent pages?
  15. cordenj
    Today I have been in contact with the curator of the REME Museum at Arborfield, and as a result the trailer's first public outing will be to the REME Corps Day on 16th June at Arborfield Garrison. 2012 is the 70th anniversary of the formation of the REME and this day is part of the celebrations. See poster and details at: http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/news.aspx?nid=9 The organisers' plan is to have a lineup of MVs with REME connections, from the earliest to the current equipment, lining the access road from Rocket Gate, so should be a treat for any MV enthusiast.....and families. I believe they are keen to hear from owners of any other historical REME vehicles, who would like to be part of the display.
  16. cordenj
    Evening Andy, You'll be very welcome, p.m. me when to fancy a run round the M25. Your one at Bordon still has the collapsible benches which I will make from scratch....but that will be a job for next winter; priority now is to finish the trailer to show it this summer. Cheers
  17. cordenj
    After the short excursion to Neil's REME Machinery, trailer back to the Electrical Repair version: I've been dismantling, cleaning, repainting and refitting a couple of the original pieces of equipment. The 110v D.C ATLAS bench grinder and the Maxlume light. A reminder of their condition when acquired last autumn: The grinder is incredibly heavy, just the motor weighs around 80lbs, and that is without the substantial cast base. As I've said before with this trailer, "lightweight" is a relative term. Stripping the machine showed it was originally grey (manufacturer's colour?), then had turned green and then had grey paint as seen in the photos above. So I've returned to British green. The original brass data plates had not been painted at any time, so I've cleaned them up. The ATLAS plate was held on with large roof felting tacks...suspect that wasn't original so retapped the motor body and used BA brass machine screws: I've refitted the Maxlume light with 3 x 60Watt 240v bulbs, fully rewired it throughout and it works perfectly .... a useful additon to my workshop, and won't just sit on the trailer between shows: One of the few pieces of the original kit that did not come with the trailer is a Black & Decker Vibro-Centric Valve seat refacer. These were supplied to the industrial market in 1940's a fitted wooden case; from what I can ascertain the WWII military version came in a metal case that fitted into one of the purpose designed compartments in the trailer. I've now secured one of these sets and collect it tomorrow, another piece in the jigsaw.[/color]
  18. cordenj
    Have been contining to work on the trailer; but took today to visit "Agincourt No1", from this forum, to see his rebuilt Lightweight REME Machinery Trailer in the midlands; and for him to take measurements from my original canvas cover to make a copy. Lots of compared notes and shared info. We found that while the machinery and electrical repair trailers appear very similar there are in fact a number of manufacturing differences (only of interest for someone building one from scratch, or trying to identfy the type from a pile of rusted parts!). As this thread has developed into one that is capturing information on all REME variants, I will post some photos of the machinery trailer as purchased and as it appears today after a lot of reconstruction (note the lathe is a post-war Myford. Original fitting would have been an even heavier 41/2" lathe ...possibly a Harrison). Both this Machinery Trailer and my Electrical Repair version wil be at War & Peace in July.
  19. cordenj
    Thanks PB
  20. cordenj
    Hi Neil, Have accepted Robin's offer to join your display at W&P with this trailer, so all together should make an interesting display. Hope you are able to bring the 110v DC genny, can then run the Van Norman and ATLAS Grinders. Could also try out the Admiralty still.....on water.
  21. cordenj
    Evening Hans, Yes, I will be there from Thursday. I've been asked to take the Water Bowser again, but can only tow one trailer on the road....so plan the take the REME Lightweight this year.
  22. cordenj
    Thanks Richard, Something this unusual deserves to be preserved .... so doing the best job I can. Hope to take it to Amberley and will defintely be at Ardingly and W&P. Don't know if you have read the whole thread, but I've set out to record the whole restoration in detail (probably too much detail for many!) as a resource to help anyone else who wants to restore a 10cwt trailer. A couple of other semiderelict 10 cwt REME special trailers have been discovered and saved since I started last autumn, so makes me wonder how many are still out there waiting to be found. Cheers
  23. cordenj
    Thanks Simon. One of the factors that makes this trailer a more time consuming project is all the extra kit it carried. Earlier on in this thread to recounted how I have managed to find the correct vintage Black & Decker Drill press. This was stowed in purpose made clamps when not in use. My visit to Borden REME museum collection last November was most useful in that their trailer has the drill press fitted, and looks like this: So another small job has been to fabricate similar clamps. Mainly just mild steel and BSW Bolts; but found a large vintage wing-nut to finish it off. It all in the little details! I've also stripped and repainted the Ebay B&D press, and bolted the base onto the trailer deck. So the main section of the press is clamped flat when travelling and then just stood in the cast iron base plate ready for the drill: Another step forward.
  24. cordenj
    Thanks Andy, but I couldn't leave rough welds to wear through the original canvas cover!
  25. cordenj
    Cover frame fabricated yesterday and finished today. The Hilmor Conduit Bender was very easy to use and coped with 14 swg pipe. I had never used one of these tools before, am pleased that the end result seems neat and accurate. I know most would MIG weld this frame together but I only have an arc welding set; its been 20 years since I did a lot of welding and then it was always Manual Metal Arc, but a bit like "riding a bike" and after a couple of practice welds the frame all came together. Once painted olive drab think it will look the part....another significant step towards completing the restoration.
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