restoration Another Pioneer

[Jimh]

The equipment you can get as you go along but if you are short of space then that can get troublesome. I can't see us going to the GDSF because (i) it is a very long way from our house and (ii) it's not really my bag. I prefer driving round in circles to be honest.

 

Not a huge amount of progress because we had to spend last weekend shuffling things around to make room to work on the body. This had been rebuilt at about the same time that the cab was pieced back together and it was all done in that half lap stuff that lorry flatbeds are made out of these days. It didn't look bad but it hadn't weathered well and the floor was rotten.

 

And here it is partially stripped down. The steelwork isn't too bad but the rotting wood has taken its toll on the angle sections along the sides.

 

 

Niels has been kind enough to provide plenty of pictures of his so I have a vague idea of what the thing is meant to look like when it is finished.

 

 

Finished taking the hand winch to pieces. Couldn't bring myself to start wirebrushing it for some reason. My urge to wirebrush things has deserted me for the time being. Can't imagine why.

 

 

And now too many pictures of the progress on the windscreens so SFS can see how they go together. This is the modified roller shutter door hinge. Looks pretty much as original so 11/10 and a gold star to whoever's idea that was. Saved much head scrating.

 

 

As you can probably see the top part of the hinge is bolted to the angle frame and the bottom part is spot welded and brazed to the opening part of the frame. It has been brazed because the TIG welder isn't mad keen on the galvanising on the hinge. On the upside at least the hinge shouldn't rust on the inside too quickly.

 

 

The bottom edge to the hinge is to be tidied up yet.

 

 

The finished iten looks pretty close to what it was like when it left Scammells. The joggled edge goes on top of the U section. That hasn't turned up yet.

 

 

And finally just to prove it opens. One opening frame opening.

 

 

One last thing - I spent rather a lot of time when I should have been doing money earning work recreating the instruction label which goes on the top of the engine cover. There was some traces of this left on ours but very little so this was taken from the earlier brass plate that Niels posted on here a couple of months back.

 

The plan is to have it printed as a water slide transfer - I've had this done for a few things in the past and they print very well. I'll get the two little ones which go on the bulkhead telling you which neutral to use done in the same way.

 

However, I have never seen a complete one so can anyone comment on the accuracy of it. This is just a quick and dirty conversion to a wee .jpg image so the colour isn't right. Thoughts?

 

Has anyone got a photo of what it should look like?

 

[radiomike7]

 

However, I have never seen a complete one so can anyone comment on the accuracy of it. This is just a quick and dirty conversion to a wee .jpg image so the colour isn't right. Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

SHEWN:confused:

[Jimh]

It's an old spelling. I'd have thought it had died out by then but seemingly not.

 

If you take a look here at Niels' picture here http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showpost.php?p=145054&postcount=337 you'll see that I'm not a complete fool and can spell after all.

Edited September 10, 2009 by Jimh

[Jimh]

It's been a while. However, some people get some work done.

 

Some clean hand winch bits together with the spare wheel carrier.

 

 

One side plate for the hand winch. The moth eaten part is where the H Morris plate sits.

 

 

Another hand winch side plate cleaned and in primer.

 

 

The frame for the body free of all its wood, cleaned down and primered. You'll see it has a few new bits of angle for it too.

 

 

And the same from the front. More than a little bit fiddly to do all this.

 

 

The hand winch drum, clean and in primer.

 

 

Time well spent, I think you'll agree. At least it is clean even if you'll never see it again.

 

 

Winch, jib and body bits. Every time you pick another pice of body up you find half a dozen hinges, clips and brackets bolted to it which need cleaned down and painted. All very time consuming.

 

 

The jib winch stripped down for cleaning and painting. We finally found some chain of the right section for it.

 

 

A couple more windscreen shots. This is the bracket which holds the support quadrant in place. Originally it was soldered onto the frame but we brazed it.

 

 

And this is the bracket against which the support quadrant is tightened. As you can probably see it is welded to the outer angle frame. We had all the outer frame brackets together with the wing nits and washers. One of the inner frame brackets was missing together with the support quadrant. We needed to make a new one of those and had a new support quadrant HP water cut.

 

As soon as the joggled strips put in an appearance that will be the windscreens pretty much done.

 

 

A water slide transfer for the top of the engine cover. It was printed on some hard to find white media which means I need to cut round the red border before it is mounted. Apparently if you have the white printed onto clear media it leaves a band every so often on larger transfers like this.

 

There are another two transfers to go with it which tell you which neautral to use.

 

Just have to try to mount them without ruining them. It's hard enough on Airfix sized transfers so this isn't going to be easy.

 

 

Finally, thanks to the MVT the age of it has been verified so we can go and get a slightly more appropriate plate for it as soon as the letter arrives.

[Jimh]

Before I forget (again) a big thank you to NielsV for all his efforts photographing and documenting the bodywork on his Pioneer.

[gritineye]

:thanx: A great record of your work on this restoration, this will be so helpful to others.

 

Keep it coming please, we are impressed.

[Niels v]

Thanks

your welcome, (I hope that expression means the same as in danish

[Jimh]

More time wasting so better have a quick update just to prove it's not been abandoned. First off a frame in DBG. Looking somewhere near clean.

 

 

The jib winch. There is some chain coming for it. It took quite a few tries to find the right one. You'll note the slight mod to make getting the sliding part out a little easier.

 

 

The jib winch again.

 

 

Yeah, we get the idea. It's clean.

 

 

The other winch. This had cracked on one corner (and someone cracked a little bit off another one - ho hum) but the joins aren't too abvious.

 

 

Hand winch. In DBG. Not too dirty

 

 

Clean and tidy.

 

 

Sliding jib in undercoat.

 

 

Two of the seat backs in undercoat. We'll get those bods at the top of the page (sometimes) to make the seat cushions and side screens in the next few weeks.

 

 

Collection of bits and bobs for the body in DBG. Ignore the silvery things. That's what the hold up is at the moment.

 

 

Spare wheel carriers.

 

 

And some more body bits in DBG.

 

 

One thing I forgot to take a photo of is the CAV AC5 alternator which arrived. We gave up on the idea of trying to find a new reg for the dynamo so we'll go with an alternator instead. At least that should stand a reasonable chance of running the headlights.

[Jimh]

I'll try again. Did all this this morning and then the site disappears.

 

Anyway. A CAV AC5 alternator. Somewhat smaller than the dynamo but at least we can get a regulator for this one. There was nowt wrong with the dynamo but the reg was pooped and the seemed to be little chance of geting another one. If an NOS one turns up wrapped in brown paper then the dynamo could go back on but until then this will have to do.

 

We've taken the innards out of the old reg so the new reg can sit inside it but everything should still look correct in the cab.

 

 

Some strip to go on the steps on the fuel tank. I think originally the strip was meant to be pressed tin but gift horses and all that.

 

 

The stainless steel float that was made was too heavy so instead of making another one this one got repaired. New brass tube and soldered up so it doesn't leak. Not sure about the red nut but some people just can't help themselves.

 

 

The joggled strip for the widscreen arrived courtesy of VW&R. It isn't quite as sharp a step as the OEM strip but it will do. You'd have to look pretty closely to tell the difference.

 

 

A new silencer box. The outlet isn't fitted yet because we aren't certain where the pipe is going to be routed. The current thinking is that because the Gardner may be beautifully well made and highly efficient they do smoke a lot when they are cold so it might be better to route the pipe up the back of the cab. All in the best possible taste you understand.

 

 

One of the wing brackets being beaten back into shape and repaired which must mean...

 

 

The mudguards are finally here. Not cheap but not bad value for money.

 

 

The chaps at VW&R do seem to be able to turn out a good job and sensible money. Would be nice if the money were even more snsible but you can't have everything.

 

 

And finally because we are all rufty tufty types who like rufty tufty lorries here is a one hour old baby. She turned up a little early which meant I haven't got much work done this weeknd on anything.

 

 

Perhaps I ought to get her a Green Goddess too.

[Stormin]

Now I know why you've been going so quick on this restoration.

 

Trying to get it all done before all your spare time disappears :rofl:

 

Congratulations to you all!

[Stormin]

Any more progress on the Pioneer or is the young one taking up all the time and money?

[Scammell4199]

Where did those new wings come from? I tried searching for VW&R without success.

 

Richard

[radiomike7]

Where did those new wings come from? I tried searching for VW&R without success.

 

Richard

 

http://www.vintagewingsandradiators.co.uk/

[Jimh]

Bit of a jump I'm afraid but just to show that there has been a bit of progress her are some happy snaps of a nearly finished Pioneer.

 

Cab not far off done, windscreens in, new wings on. Oh and a radiator filled with brand new finned tube. Doesn't leak now, does it?

 

 

 

The indicators are now in the sidelights and the headlights have proper sealed beam units with sidelights so it has reasonably modern lights without looking too offensive.

 

 

 

This is probably the Pioneer's worst angle. Gawky, ugly cab and a scrawny looking bonnet line. Just like the 100 tonners. There isn't a number for it yet. The reason seems to be that the VROs have decided that being really helpful and friendly and just wanting to do stuff for you does not fit well with the rest of the DVLA's organisation. Being obstructive is a much better approach.

 

 

 

A shovel about to fall out because there isn't a strap holding it in yet. No cable for the semaphore arm yet so it's a good job it's got proper indicators. You'll see the engine is running too.

 

 

 

A winch drum, stripped, rebuilt and set up properly so the winch rope pays out something like it does in the training films.

 

 

 

You'll see it is all dusty. It got driven down the track so it isn't clean at the moment. Nice rope, though.

 

 

 

Spare wheel was still wet so it isn't fitted yet. No number plate of rear light but you should spot the LED rear lights. Brake lights, tail and indicators in one tiny little unit. You can see them but they aren't too obvious. Better than Rubbolite units any road up.

 

 

 

More rear lights. You'll see the flashing beacon unit too.

 

 

 

Rebuilt rear body. Mostly new. You'll also notice that most of the kit that was meant to be with it is missing. Bit of a shame that.

 

 

 

A duck egg blue engine yesterday. It really is a horrid colour. If you look very carefully you will see that the dynamo has gone and is now an alternator. We gave up on trying to get a regulator so went for the low speed alternator meant for the 6LW. Hopefully it should put out a little more than the original unit which was on par with a bicycle dynamo.

 

 

 

More of the same. Radiator not leaking, float level floating, fuel gauge not working and doors looking like they should. You'll see the bottom of the cab is wrong but hey ho.

 

 

 

Bored yet? A green Pioneer. How very original.

 

 

 

Temptation to paint the wheel nuts white as yet resisted.

 

 

 

Do you like my log pile? I've been going to the physio for weeks because of that. The bonnet and engine covers are elsewhere ready to go on but there are no springs to hold the bonnet on yet. I still reckon it should have been in desert colours but there you go.

 

 

 

More later.

[gritineye]

:thumbsup:

Very very nice... well done Jim, not sure what I'm lusting after most, the Pioneer or the big log pile!

[Great War truck]

Now, doesnt that look nice.

[Niels v]

Hi Jim

That really looks fantastic :shocked: now that you are done with it could you restore my? :nut:

[Mk3iain]

Just gone over it from the beginning, fascinating project and very inspiring.

 

Would love to see that sort of detail on a AEC Militant Mk3 recovery! Hey I just remembered, I have one!!

Luck would have it, its available on loan if you want to have a go.:cool2:

 

Well done, that is a top job. How did you get on with the seat cushions? I need some for my Milly(some worn some missing).

Iain

[AndyFowler]

Beautifull job Jim ! Love the new winch cable very smart !

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Jim,

 

The Scammell looks wonderful ....and nice to see it in 1950's rebuild style. Every possibility that those FV headlights would have been fitted then, and despite what you say, the Sky Blue engine fits the bill for a rebuild.

 

As Andy says, a nice tidy winch rope. At the Workshops were I worked, we had a chap who would fit new eyes in the ropes for me, whipping the ends and binding them like that, much nicer to see than the swaged ends.

[Stefano]

Jim,

Really really lovely, I'm deeply impressed

[arm carp]

lovley looking truck there

[abn deuce]

Almost back on the road !!! really impressive job , Hope you didnt part with too much skin while doing the restoration . Looking foreward to sharing a ride along via video clip soon .

[Scammell4199]

That does look good, really need to get on with mine.

[Jimh]

A few more happy snaps. The lift pump is still messing around for some reason so it hasn't been driven very far yet.

 

Just to show it has bonnet sides. The NS one is a bit crappy but it will have to do. Still no strap to hold the shovel on. No side screens or seat cushions either.

 

The sharp eyed may notice a tax disc stuck onto the windscreen. Not that it's reached the end of the track yet.

 

 

If anyone takes notes about that sort of thing it's got a new number now.

 

 

Need to start collecting/making the bits that are meant to be attached to it now. It looks a bit bare without them.

 

 

Next question. Assuming that this has just driven out of the REME workshops in late 1958 or so (that was the date on the rebuild plate on the engine) what markings would it have carried? It could do with some numbers and things on it to break up the acres of green.

 

 

And that is about it. A few bits and bobs left to do but it seems to be somewhere near now. Side screen, curtains, a few gauges which are still missing, the tool box under the seat, blah, blah, that kind of thing.

 

Anyone got a Matador rotting away in their yard that they aren't going to do anything with?