Gustaf

I am sure there was reporting of man landing on the moon in 1969 in Spain, remember, aircraft, such as this Pfalz, were the height of technology, and I am sure that there wre many people in Spain interested in world events at the time. Best gus

I think the significance is that it was printed for the Spanish market. Best gus

This is a very interesting project. I suspect that the car may be driven in parades in the future. If so, it is important to realize that the low gear on a Ford T is not very slow, and you can not "slip the clutch" to go slower, or you will wear out the low speed band very fast. It must be driven fully engaged in low to avoid damage. Many people in the US install an auxiliary two speed axle to get a slower speed for parades. I look forward to seeing the completed car. Best Gus

One of the great things about working on a Ford T is that nearly all the parts are available, and do not require the expense and work needed on some of the other restorations, the T project may not be as amazing as the Thornycroft or Dennis restorations, but they do give people with limited resources a chance to make a contribution, and the end result is something that can be taken out on the road and shared with the public with out having to worry about maintenance. Best Gus

It is remarkable how much the Ford Model T contributed to the war effort. The only thing I can see that would improve this car is a live Lewis, and then off to eliminate a few jack rabbits, mind you, as dry as it is here, it would be best not to use tracers. Best gus

Thanks Steve, There is only one good photo of the back that I have been able to find of the M1917, and it is in the 1920 financial report of the Medical Corps, it give great detail of the rear tail gate, hinge, latch, and a fair view of the seats and upper litter rails. When I finished the body, I sent a photo to a friend who did a layover with the above photos, and the only thing that did not match exactly was the front fenders because the brackets are a bit droopy. Best Gus

Hey Tom, The "square on " photos do exist, there are two exceptional ones, this one helped with the dimensions and the side curtains The great thing about the Ford T is that it has a 100 inch wheel base, and that makes it very easy to determine scale. This photo also shows the perspective on the axles well, so scale can be adjusted as the object moves away (i.e. near edge of fender, near side of box and driver's curtain). With some computer programs, it is possible to get good measurements off a 3/4 view as well. BEst Gus

Hey Steve, I did deviate from the measurements of the museum replicas, in that my bed is about 3 inches shorter, I used several photos to get the dimensions of the bed, and the sills were left the same as those on the Baker reproductions. I had one litter that I used to make sure that It would still fit with the smaller dimensions, and everything was hunkydory until I got a couple of USMC litters. The feet on the Medical Corps litters are closer to the ends, and they will not fit in the top liter rails, although they work fine on the bed. I came to the conclusion that the measurements from the photos were not correct, until I compared different photos and found that there was some variation in the dimensions of the M1917 body. I finally found a note in the Medical Corps financial report from 1920, where it was noted that the first 2,450 bodies were designed to work with all allied litters, but it was found that the US long truck model would not fit, so later bodies were altered to accommodate them. The sills on the early ones were mated to the firewall, but on the later ones the sill were moved back about 3 inches, thereby being able to lengthen the body with out having to replace the original sills. I do believe that there is one original body in the US, I have tracked it to Portland, Oregon in the 1970s, but from there the trail goes cold. Best Gus

Hey Steve, There are no known originals to copy, my measurements came from several of the dozen or so reproductions in various museums in the US. They were built from the original drawings in the 1980s, but the drawings were lost with time. I also used period photographs and dimensions given in period writings. I had a lot of help form several people. As for what is next... I am about 20% finished with the second ambulance. I also am keeping my eyes open for a 1916 GMC 3/4 ton chassis with the thought of building a GMC ambulance (I have a friend with an original to get measurements off from). Best Gus

I just returned from the Utah Gun Collector's Association gun show in Ogden, Utah, there was a great reception for the Ford ambulance, lots of good feedback. After we pulled it out of the hall, I had to give rides for some time, but as most were cute girls, it was a good thing. It is amazing how many people liked the Ambulance.

I have been driving it on the farm to get a good used look to it, my wife wants me to wash it for the display, but I do not want it to look new as it is not a pristine renovation but made to look like one that has been in service. I did refrain from shooting a few bullet holes through it though. Best Gus

The photo was at a friend's "steam" event, they had two running steam engines and several old tractors, the D8 was there to enforce parking rules, I was a bit nervous as I did not park where I was supposed to, and the owner was letting kids drive the Cat right past the ambulance.

We will be setting up a display at the Utah Gun Collector's Association gun show in Ogden, Utah on the week end of 13-14 with the ambulance and other USAAS related artifacts. Best Gus

Ha!, I took care of the modernish tractor

Here is another photo, the tractor is a bit new, and I could not get a photo with out people in modern clothes.

Mehh, it would be much easier to take another photo. I will see if I can get around to it today.

Sorry about that Tony, I will pay better attention in the future. This photo was just to show the side curtains for a friend who had asked, but now as I look at it, the red BMW in the background bugs me too.

I finished my side curtains today, they were easier to do than I thought they would be, I did have to redo my tilt though, as I managed to put a screwdriver through it in the process of fitting the fasteners. From all the period photos I have found, there was no front windshield, only the canvas extending up to the driver's shoulders. This would have broken the wind for the most part, and would not have caused a visibility problems due to rain, snow, frost or condensation. I do know that the M1918 did have an additional panel that had isinglass that enclosed the driver's compartment completely.

A friend came over this evening, and wanted a ride in the ambulance, I do not have the electric lights working, so I put oil in the oil lamps, it is surprising how much light they put out.

That is an interesting thread, I had not seen that photo of an SSU 14 ambulance before, a friend in Norway sent me a French ARS17 gas mask named to a fellow who served in SSU 14. Here is a better photo of the tail gate of my T, showing the reinforcement arounf the center hole doubling as a step.

Another update, I finished the tail gate and rear windows, I need to make the canvas cover for the upper stretcher and do the interior details. I am waiting on some photos from 1910Coupe, to decide how to assemble those bits. I also sorted a wonky coil, so it runs better.

Hey Punk, Here is the stripped chassis as I started with the first sill. and as I started with the sub frame The tool boxes and headboard are nearly finished I have the sides together A little colour makes it look closer to finished, but if you look close, you can see that the rear wheel is just leaning against the side, as I had to rebuild the rear end I have the axle back together and the rafters and floor in Canvas is almost done, and some detail painted on. best Gus

About a third of the show is displays, the show is only about 300 tables. It is hard to tell what is going to be there, one member has a 1888 Gatling Gun that he brings from time to time. Saturday is the best day, more crowd, but as it is in an area with a large LDS population, there are fewer displays and venders on Sunday. Best Gus

Hey Steve, I plan on displaying a portion of the collection with the ambulance at the Utah Gun Collector's Association gun show in Ogden Utah, October 13-14. It is a bit of a drive from Wisdom, but it is a good show. Best Gus

Hey Snort, I have been collecting WWI uniforms, equipment and weapons since the 1960s. The advent of the webernet has made research a very easy thing to do. I can remember when it took months to get an answer that can be found in seconds now. Best Gus