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#Post#: 45435--------------------------------------------------
114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: DennisM
Date: August 10, 2016, 4:38 am
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In the last segment about 112-587, you will remember that a S2A
109 Bloodbox arrived on the scene when I was restoring 112-587,
well now it is it's turn, here is an image
after I tracked it down in Thalabar road New Lambton NSW, I
found it but not the owner, he worked as a pastrycook bloody
hell was he hard to catch, believe this or not,
I had the 109 on a tilt tray ready to leave for Cessnock when he
answered the door, he was shocked +++ to say the least, anyway
some images
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/As%20found%20Thalabar%20Rd_zps4fgu53hf.jpg[/img]
and on the truck ready to go
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Transport%20to%20Cessnock_zpsdnhnyf39.jpg[/img]
there was also a Wksp trailer there as well, we towed that to
the Judges place @ Morpeth, that's where it stayed until I was
ready for it (read 2 years LOL)
The vehicle took the place of my 110 in the garage, as an
initial check before purchase and after showed it had
significant rust issues with the bulkhead
and other places, it also had a dead rear end (blown diff), so
the hunt was on for some replacements, all while I was still
working on 112-587 (Wee-Wullie)
When the time came to start work on the vehicle it was the rear
end where I started, jacked it up placed body/axle stands under
the chassis, remove wheels
brake assemblies, diff/center/axle casing/springs, the
diff/center had smashed into many pieces, I had read somewhere
that Salisbury diff's were retro-fitted
so that's what I did, but not yet.
I bought a new angle grinder a cheap Bosch to be sacrificed on
the alter of restoration, it was fitted with many a wire brush,
which I used to clean the dirt off
the chassis, and a needle scale gun when I couldn't get into the
corners etc.,, it took some time to accomplish this, many face
masks and wire cup brush strikes
later, it looked like this
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/new%20rearend_zpssjbotgji.jpg[/img]
I suppose I should tell you that the previous owner was a
M/cycle enthusiast and if you use your imagination you will be
able to work out the wording above the
back doors, being a single man and all that LOL, anyway back to
the task at hand, I started it up drove it out of the shed
turned it around on the street and
reversed it back into the shed, stripping it back to behind the
doors, that took about 2 days, always remember "I'm a 1 man band
here" and if I don't do it no-one
will
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Ambulance%20rebuild_zps328vnqqf.jpg[/img]
now while all this was underway, REMLR was still in it's
infancy, very little information on the net, Stephen Stansfield
had restored 'Norma Jean' but that was it
Warwick Lord had one but didn't restore it, so there was F/all
info out there, especially with wiring diagram etc., the big
hurdle I was facing at the time was finding
a bulkhead, my good mate (spray painter) had a shooting property
up near Merriwa NSW, he said the property owner had numerous
wrecked L/R's on the property
so me n the Judge headed off, I took enough gear to do the job
(including Oxy/acety) and supplies to stay O/night, but that
wasn't needed as most of it unbolted
without any fuss, so here is an image of said donor, I had
already lifted off guards x 2 and Rad/sup panel in 1 effort
(still bolted together)
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Donor%20Firewall_zpsd5ul4dgy.jpg[/img]
the donor B/head needed some minor repairs, with that done it
was time for a trial fit, & unfit, fit & unfit LOL
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Ambulance%20rebuild3_zps1ujs8fxi.jpg[/img]
I had rebuilt the G/box at this stage with new bearings, first
gear appeared to be OK, but as I found out much later, the
vehicle must have done some work in 1st gear
as it is a little bit noisey, but I can n will live with that.
With the B/head repaired n fitted, it was time to start a
complete strip down of the body panels to remove all the
graffiti, and boy was it everywhere, even on the turret
some images, you would not believe how many hours this took, I
thought (being a smart little d**K cover a huge area, wrong, bad
idea++ 300mm square @ a time is the go)
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Paint%20stripping_zpshsdpb6tm.jpg[/img]
it was everywhere even on the turret, the man was crazy about
'Mick Doohan'
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Turret%20graffiti_zpsn3warioq.jpg[/img]
It took some weeks to strip it back and pressure wash it off
every day, at one stage the fumes got me when I was on the
turret, I almost fell off, that would have been the end of me
as it's 8' to the ground, the fall wont hurt it's the sudden
stop @ the bottom that does the damage.
The next step was to etch prime the exterior of the vehicle and
paint it in Olive Drab, this was done a side at a time, it was a
task n a half for an amateur spray painter, I had a small
compressor but I had a professional spray gun,(Iwata 77) and I
was able to access information from my spray painter mate (Craig
Phillips he owned his own business) but I painted the vehicle
when it was completely covered in O/drab, it was time to mark
out for the Geneva Crosses, this is where Warwick Lord came in
handy as he had an unmolested bloodbox, rough
dimensions were taken (and I still have them in a flip top note
book along with a heap of notes from Bandiana re LRPV) these
measurements were transferred to the body and away I went
here are some images
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Geneva%20_zps0vcbqum6.jpg[/img]
and the finished product
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Geneva%20cross_zpshf69nmjz.jpg[/img]
and the turret
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Turret%20red%20cross_zpspgadnfra.jpg[/img]
The engine has it's rear main bearing oil seal replaced along
with a few other things and was refitted, here it is with the
head off having the valve stem oil seals done
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Engine%20bay_zps3m7nex0w.jpg[/img]
whilst all the wok was happening through the day, some late
nights were spent sufing looking for military medical field
gear, to say I have sufficient is an over statement
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/A%20small%20amount%20of%20kit_zpsbb4fhlxn.jpg[/img]
and from another angle
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/CES%20Field%20Hospital%20005_zpsy7dvgbe3.jpg[/img]
Somewhere after the vehicle was registered on club plates, Mike
Cecil (Curator of 'Military Heraldry @ Australian War Musuem
Canberra) saw an image of it with the ARN I had made for it, he
emailed me and said he thought he had all the ARN's
of all the S2/2A Bloodboxes, I wrote back n told him that I made
it up, he asked for the chassis number and within 10 minutes I
knew the real ARN 114-194, and that's how
REMLR came to know about the Big Blue Book, I passed this info
ontpo Ross C who was a travelling rep for 'Walk on Wheels' he
made himself known and the rest is history as the
saying goes.
Now the vehicle wasn't complete without manequins, so I managed
to get 3, one is the Reg/nse here is an image of here known as
the other woman in my life LOL
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/the%20other%20woman_zpsyqn6nuvt.jpg[/img]
she has her own kit bag, it did have one of these in it but
sadly it's gone west??stolen I think from the vehicle when on
display
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Girlstuff_zpsqxykqyhk.jpg[/img]
and she trained @ Dubbo Base hospital NSW, as I have the Reg/nse
badge and NSW Rego board badge as well, she has the rank of
Capt.
here is an interior shot, it has not been touched other than a
polish up, it has a few stains that I can't remove so I left
them there
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Ambulance%20006_zpsgrxwcou6.jpg[/img]
I have enough kit to set up a small forward field hospital, I
was always on the lookout for a 11 x 11tent, missed out on one
REMLR Qld got it from BLknight, I wasn't quick
enough, I have a Vauxhall sterilizer which works a treat as well
as Oxy_viva (ex army from Tooles disp)
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Sterilizer%20003_zps1niydof5.jpg[/img]
so when n if the vehicle comes up for sale, it has a heap of
med/surg gear to go with it, including NOS stretchers and litter
stands/ portable giving stands fitted to the stretchers
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Litter%20supportsNOS%20001_zps1afrxufb.jpg[/img]
the vehicle does attract quite a bit of attention whenever it is
on display, but you have watch for the five finger discount
people, as they will steal anything that's not secure
I know from experience, the inside is equipped with a variety of
storage spots, it is a well thought out situation, here are some
images
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Bloodbox%20007_zpsekyr8voc.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Bloodbox%20006_zpstlpra2hs.jpg[/img]
4 fans to add to patient comfort, the vehicle also has a
deceased person in a US issue body bag and the correct ID tags
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/IMG_0328_zpsbi65hcjo.jpg[/img]
I almost forgot to mention, under the bonnet it had these
painted markings, we (I) have not been able to find anything out
about them
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Unit%20signature_zpskxa0xnot.jpg[/img]
maybe now with a wider info base some-one might know, anyway to
finish off here are 2 shots showing B4 n after
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/Before_zpsfpsbkunf.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu319/DJM110/114-194/After_zpsdu90q23o.jpg[/img]
that took almost 18 months of full on slog, I did consider
making a gantry to lift off the rear body, but @ over $1,000.00
for steel to construct
I dropped the idea like a hot rock, the rotating light n
continental horns as they should
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGv02Txf0Wc
just a short clip as they are loud, anyway I wish I could
restore a vehicle as quickly as putting the yarn together on the
net, albeit a very short version of it
cheers Dennis
ps I'm sure I have forgotten some aspects of this job with the
fog of time LOL,,. & only 5 more vehicles and 2 trailers to go
sigh,.. and whilst restoring this along came a workshop Land
Rover with a S2A 88"GS that had to go with it
then a few months later a Series 2 Comm/Recon car, geezus I was
staring down at least the next 4 years of not leaving the yard,
it was a big ask/task I can assure you,.. and the 171st
Operational Supp/squadron vehicle maint/sect had serviced the
vehicle ?? so it's possible that it also could be a veteran of
the conflict in Sth Vietnam, still unsure as we have no
photographic evidence,,.
#Post#: 45436--------------------------------------------------
Re: 114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: Puddlejumper
Date: August 10, 2016, 5:32 am
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Bloody hell mate, where do you find the time (& energy)
Uber kool though lkebtn
#Post#: 45437--------------------------------------------------
Re: 114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: 1960SeriesII
Date: August 10, 2016, 8:35 am
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A very good job - all of your vehicles look like a lot of work
went into them, here's the proof. Very cool!
#Post#: 45438--------------------------------------------------
Re: 114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: Gossamer
Date: August 10, 2016, 9:57 am
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Lovely job, Dennis.
If you fancy a 'holiday' in the uk, I have plenty to keep you
amused in Derby.
Matt
#Post#: 45460--------------------------------------------------
Re: 114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: Horace109
Date: August 10, 2016, 4:42 pm
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Jesus - I wish I had your skills
#Post#: 45461--------------------------------------------------
Re: 114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: DennisM
Date: August 10, 2016, 5:18 pm
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Many thanks for the responses, I have to be honest here, I have
no trade skills at all, I'm a semi retired Registered nurse, I
used to come home from work stressed ++ from work, so down into
the shed/backyard get stuck into whatever needed to be done, the
only help I got on occasions was from my trades assistant aka
wife, a couple of jobs were farmed out i.e. rear main bearing
oil seal as I had done one way back in the mid 70's on a 109 S2A
diesel I had and it leaked like a sieve, all other work
mech/elect/painting all done here in the backyard by me as
therapy from my job (psycho/aged care) I still work the odd
shift with severely disabled young adults, cheers Dennis dgs
ps 0nly 5 more ex-mil Land Rovers 2 military trailers and a
Series 1 rebuild,,. to go LOL, what I didn't realise was the
site recognises the word fing*r and puts in the flip the bird
LOL no offense meant by that on my part,,.
#Post#: 45473--------------------------------------------------
Re: 114-194 Series 2A 109 Ambulance
DIR By: Viamphie
Date: August 11, 2016, 5:56 am
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Dennis. You certainly are very talented sir. All that time you
must spend in the work shop, can you even remember what your
wife looks like?
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