The next day’s work
at 8:33 pm on Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Saturday
16th August and Wednesday 20th August 2008
Well all the other work mentioned on my last Blog has been carried out. New canvas set complete and fitted, new fuel system from the tank to the carb fitted. Livery and Badges started as part of GHQ Middle East (the camel badge) and Red Scorpion of LRDG as well as Vehicle ID ‘B1′ on a red square- for B Troop 1st vehicle.
Now started on the camouflage scheme which will be mottled splodges on a sand base, various colours were used ranging from greys, blues, greens and brown/browny reds.
All that needs to be done is fit the new Bar treads, do the king pin shims and bearings and other minor mechanical parts. Electrics still playing up but a few hours work will see this done and dusted. Once all this complete; it’s off to apply for new registration and then onto the promotion schedule and marketing.
Hoping that ‘Bertie’ will be available to do a couple of weekends helping raise money and selling poppies for Remembrance Day and Poppy Scotland.
Once Bertie is ready for road and ‘desertfied’ ‘He’ will become a ‘She’ and its transformation will be complete - name pending and still to be decided. In good LRDG tradition it will have a name starting with a B for B Troop.
Major G A W
Back on Track
at 7:43 pm on Wednesday, 30 July 2008
After nearly 5 weeks on manoeuvres I am now back working on Bertie. New items fitted are both engine mounts, new headlamps and Blackout driving lamp. Obtained a NOS junior oil filter to replace the civilian later type already on it. The handbrake is now complete and working great.
Next on agenda is to finailse all the electrics then fit NOS fuel filter, the new fuel pump and all fuel lines taking it back to the original instead of the electric system it presently has.
A full canvas set is due any day which will have sand coloured cushions, half doors, tilt canvas and lever boots etc.
All being well by end of September it will be legal once more and we can step up the publicity and marketing efforts for our exped.
Eternally grateful so far to the individuals and organisations who have sent us contributions towards the exped (see sponsors page).
Watch this space…..
Major G A Wallace
Berties progress 14 June 08
at 3:52 pm on Sunday, 15 June 2008
Bertie’s progress this weekend again saw Cpls Lennon and Kirk along with LCpl Burles and his dad, Harry and myself all mucking in to do more work on the ‘desertification’ of old Bertie.
Whilst I fitted the new (later type) handbrake the guys went about sorting out the sand channels (albeit not the proper WW2 type-still looking for them!) spraying miscellaneous items, relocating and refitting the antenna mount and the fabrication and fitting of the various cages to hold the 15 or so jerricans required for the trip.
Also relocation of the exhaust and fitting the new transmission skid plate was on the menu and it all went swimmingly well, touch wood for the next load of work!
Next up will be the electrics (again) where hopefully we can get the circuits finally sorted out and working again (without the onboard barberque). The steering/front axles king pin bearings and shims, the lower shock and engine mountings, also on the agenda, then all being well it’s off to the MOT test and final registration.
More to follow
Major G A W
Weekend 7/8 June 08
at 8:19 pm on Monday, 9 June 2008
This weekend saw us revisiting the trailer and refurbishing the axle to compensate for the jeep weight and the electrics rewired
Cpls Kirk and Lennon, Pte Hegarty and myself all worked a nightshift to get it done to ready it for the transporting of jeep etc.
Also picked up 5 bar treads to replace the old cracked ones.
Next weekend will see me, and hopefully others, getting the mechanical programme continued with items to ready it for it’s MOT test.
To be continued……………………….
Major G A W