Freeland

Good morning, About 10 months ago we started the ground-up restoration of a neglected Diamond T 981, fitted with a wartime Hercules DXFE engine. Most of the "dirty work" has been done and we are now in the rewarding :-) process of priming/spray painting the frame, engine, bodywork and major parts. There is some good info on the web to be found regarding restorations of these engines (esp. here on HMVF) but I still have a hard time determining the right colors. I come across pictures of green engine blocks with gloss black filters, grey blocks with a red pulley and so on. What I found so far from TM's and wartime pictures: Engine block Dark blue-ish grey. I do not have the correct color nr. at hand but we had the right color already delivered. Transfer case Same as the engine Pulley's, oil filter canisters, fan, generator, cranking motor Semi gloss black? Manifold Stove polish black Air filters (engine) I see them in light grey, gloss black and even a blue-ish grey color. Shouldn't these be semi gloss black? Air compressor filter and breather cap Both were painted gloss black for the engine at hand, should these also be semi-gloss black? Many thanks for your help in my quest! Marco

(currently not at a place with access to the majority of pics)

Good morning, The airborne kipper, now in mint condition, is actually the workhorse of the collection when it comes to moving "men and material" to the various shows. The premises are not open to the general public (otherwise it would be an official museum, you would need opening hours etc.) but can be visited on appointment. The location is Gemonde, in the south of The Netherlands near the city of 's-Hertogenbosch.

Good day! After having snooped around at the HMVF forum for a long time time I thought it was time to finally get registered and introduce myself. A few years ago, two friends of mine inherited their father's collection (Freeland museum) of WW2 military vehicles, weapons, uniforms and other collectibles. Being involved in restoring the vehicles from the get go, they have gained valuable technical skills in a variety of restoration areas.Their main objective is to preserve and restore the vehicles and expand the collection whenever possible. Since they only have limited time to maintain the rolling stock, I was asked to do the (very) necessary maintenance and preservation of weapons/uniforms and take care of any missing documentation/equipment. My ongoing and profound interest in (the western theater of) World War 2 made that I was more than happy to assist when asked. About a year ago I finished this first challenge and then made some attempts to restore the large comms section that still needs some overhauling and sorting out. The founder of this "Airborne and Logistics" museum bought quantities of NOS material overtime but never got to the point of actually making matters presentable nor finding out if all that "green stuff" was indeed period correct. You will probably hear from me later in the "Ads" section here on HMVF since we are looking to sell the non-WW2 items in due course. Since one year we are in a full overhaul and restoration of a Diamond T 981 with Hercules Diesel engine and going forward, I will most likely have a question or two on this vehicle in the proper sub forum. Simultanously, a Daimler Dingo is being prepared for final finishing to take part in the massive Market Garden activities in 2014, alongside the Diamond T :laugh: The current line-up of is as follows: - Willys Overland (former jeep of James Gavin, 82nd AB) * - Scout Car M3A1 * - Dodge WC-52 * - Dodge WC-53 Carryall - Dodge WC-54 Ambulance - Dodge WC-56 Command Car - Dodge WC-63 - White Halftrack M3 - DUKW ** - Ford GPA - Chevrolet C8A HUP ** - GMC Airborne Kipper - Ward LaFrance M1A1 *** - Harley Davidson WLA * - Cushman Airborne scooter - Packard Clipper (owned by Gen. Eisenhower June-Oct 1944) - Daimler Dingo MKIII ** - Greyhound M20 * - Autocar U177T + Stake Trailer - Diamond T 981 (looking for the M9 Rogers trailer!) *** - Howitzer, Pack, 75mm M1 * * = needs some tlc ** = technically 100% but needs a paint job and additional dressing up ***= candidate for a full restoration! Thank you for reading my first post and I am looking forward to exchange information and ideas here on HMVF! Best regards, Marco