welbike Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) Hi all, Here some pictures of my 2nd Pack restoration, some major parts were missing, but have located most of the items now, together with some new fabrication of Top Sleighs, I hope to finish this the coming year (unless someone else wants to finish it, it might be for sale for the right amount!) Have no pictures of the thing together, but here's some rusty stuff: Trail: Wheels and hubs: Carriage end, and dividing mechanism: Data plate: Elevating Mechanism: One of the 2 Equilibrator springs: Cradle locking mechanism: After missing the sight in Nomandy I found another, thanks Tim!!: Finally the newly cast top sleighs, just some machining to do!! Will have to buy a real camera, instead of using my phone all the time! (sorry for the bad quality pics!) So now everyone can sort of see how this Howitzer is built up from the various parts. And here the complete thing (my first one) Brit. modified: Cheers, Lex Edited November 4, 2012 by welbike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Nice work on that, but I was surprised to see those wheel rims - are they original to that weapon? Those rims were specially made for the rear of the 1941-47 Dodge WD20 and WD21 one ton civilian trucks, where the bevels on every other lug hole allowed them to lock together when used as duals - they have a slightly larger offset than the standard rim. They are really quite rare. The standard wheel that came all round on that truck when it wasn't on dual rears had less offset, no locking bevels, and would take a slightly wider tyre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g_kearney Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Most interesting photographs, many thanks. What are the Top Sleigh castings on the pallet for please? John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 Hi Gordon, Know about the Dodge wheels, but they have a different offset I believe, mine were N.O.S. and came with the hubs and even a lable attached to it, so 100% right for the Pack Howitzer. Here a picture of some similar wheels I didn't buy some years back, should have done, but that's too late now! Thanks, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 Most interesting photographs, many thanks. What are the Top Sleigh castings on the pallet for please? John. Hello John, Only one is needed, but it was just as expensive to have 5 cast! (the rest will be for sale) it goes on top of the barrell, and locks into place, and keeps the barrel tight on the bottom sleigh. Hope that explains it? Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g_kearney Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Got it, Lex, many thanks. It was the large number on the pallet that threw me. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Thanks for that . Didn't know International used the same setup on dual lies but it makes sense I suppose. Got an image of the mounting face of the hub ? I suppose three ( or all six ) of the mounting stud faces must have recesses machined for those bevels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) I seem yo remember that the seller said he thought they were for International, but he wasn't sure! let me know if you find out one way or the other. Heres a shot of the hubs, they have a recess on all 6 studs, so no special care has to be take to fit them, the good thing also is you can lessen the width of the piece, by reversing the wheels, so the thing takes up less space when it's in the living room! The other picture with the wood spoke wheels is the "early" style wheel, used upto 1941, there's just a plain bronze bushing, no bearings, so not really for towing behind the jeep!! Cheers, Lex Edited May 22, 2013 by welbike Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Great restoration on a lovely gun...if I were rich :undecided: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poacher Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Nice restoration on No. 1....... did you decide what to do with project No.2......... Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Hmm, note that the hub and drum both have C prefixes for Chrysler parts, even although the rims would be Budd ( I think ) and the lock rings I seem to recall were firestone. The offset and the bevels are the giveaway as on Dodges they are unique to the WD20 / 21 On the other hand the world is full of the ordinary WD20/21 rims, less bevels, and with smaller offset, if you know anyone that is stuck for rims... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Hi Guys, I'm half way through the restoration of a 75mm and need a couple of parts . I need an extractor and a firing mech. The gun is live and I hope to fire blank at some point with it . I have just sent most of it off for sand blasting. Here is an image of the breach ring so you can see the type etc .TTFN Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 Nice restoration on No. 1....... did you decide what to do with project No.2......... Regards Hi there, nothing much happened with the restoration, but will get on with it in the winter, it might still be for sale, but the financial need is not to great anymore. Cheers, Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 (edited) Hi Guys, I'm half way through the restoration of a 75mm and need a couple of parts . I need an extractor and a firing mech. The gun is live and I hope to fire blank at some point with it . I have just sent most of it off for sand blasting. Here is an image of the breach ring so you can see the type etc .TTFN Shaun Hi Shaun, Nice to see another one being restored! assume you're in the US? can you let me have your carriage number too for my database please?? Your Watervliet Arsenal number is close to one of mine, 4769 my inspectors initials are AGG, cannot read yours clearly?? the only two WVT numbers on my list! Grtz, Alex Schmidt Edited August 22, 2013 by welbike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Hi Alex, im in the UK , as soon as I get the carriage back from the blaster on Tuesday I will send you the number. I will also get some close ups of all the inspection stamps etc. TTFN Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 (edited) Hi Alex , got the 75 back from the blasters today, so here are some more if the numbers etc for you .. TTFN Shaun Hi Shaun, Nice to see another one being restored! assume you're in the US? can you let me have your carriage number too for my database please?? Your Watervliet Arsenal number is close to one of mine, 4769 my inspectors initials are AGG, cannot read yours clearly?? the only two WVT numbers on my list! Grtz, Alex Schmidt Edited August 28, 2013 by shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packhow75 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Hi Guys, I'm half way through the restoration of a 75mm and need a couple of parts . I need an extractor and a firing mech. The gun is live and I hope to fire blank at some point with it . I have just sent most of it off for sand blasting. Here is an image of the breach ring so you can see the type etc .TTFN Shaun Shaun I'm looking at getting some new extractors made. I need 1 for my second pack howitzer and want a spare as well. Please let me know how many you want (should be one on the gun and one in the spares kit) so I can get the job quoted. Cheers Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbob Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I am restoring 2 pac 75mm but I am having trouble finding new rims. I need 4 rims so if anyone is selling them or knows were to get them please let me know. here are what the ones i have look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Hi Bob, You do have the right rims!! on one side they are mounted the wrong way round, and the tires are too big, but they are OK. See scans, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 As I mentioned further up, the rim is the six lug Budd rim with offset and bevels for use as rear duals on a truck around the one ton class. They were the standard rear dual rim on the Dodge WD21 series one ton, 1941-47. The ordinary rim for that truck, when dual rears weren't required, looks pretty much the same except it doesn't have the locking bevels and has less offset. Neither type of rim is that common and the locking dual type is quite difficult to find. The Budd lock rings are standard, and will interchange with any Dodge half ton military WC or any Dodge one ton from 1939-47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbob Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Ok do you know where I can purchase 4 rims from????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Sorry, no. I have both types here but got a use for them. I really just wanted to give you a handle on the sources. There is a 39-47 Dodge Group on Yahoo, and various Dodge Fora, though as I mentioned the rear duals weren't that common and just appeared on civilian trucks. I have no evidence that the dual rears were ever used on military trucks. Someone else did point out that they were probably used on the back of similar trucks from other manufacturers too, International, Chev, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 Agree to all that, but there were different offsets! Cheers, Lex ps, Bob it was not clear, and thought the wheels you pictured were on your guns. appearrantly not so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 If you have an original in poor order, there would be no reason not to cut the centre out it and weld it into a Dodge WC half ton outer rim and ring at the right offset, should work. The difference is all in the centre plate with six holes and bevels, plus located on a different offset. Alternatively you could take some of the more common Dodge one ton six lug rims, cut, move and reweld the centre plate, and just fabricate / machine the bevels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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