M2A1 Halftrack restoration-- dialup beware

[CINDERS]

All I can say to you Andy and others involved in their various rebuilds is you keep the dream alive and the knowledge of those that went to do their bit for the free world and through you and others we the free people will never forget those that went away.

The thing will be even quieter once you complete the air filtration unit and install it as well as the muffler as there was a fair bit of induction/exhaust noise I gather they were oil bath filters for the air.
I have been following this thread from the first and what a journey one thing you fail to mention is the hours of toil, heart breaking moments, gathering the correct spares or sourcing them this alone would take hours and hours and the shear endeavour of this resto.
Bloke you are legendary status and I think the forum of this site would agree we all await to see it out in the field trundling away, oh and I will say something as a bit of a lark and no offense intended how does your wife cope with this or is she like mine and become part of the sometime obscure endeavours we embark on as blokes.

[Brit plumber]

Ok, if that was me, I'd be running around screaming when it fired for the first time. I was so excited when I got my little Royal Enfield WD/CO to run for the first time in most likely 40 years. The wife thought I was an idiot.

[alpaca andy]

ya it was exhaust manifold paint burning off. I cant remember if i used high temp paint or not. Even with high temp, it burns off fast im told.
The tranny needs to be double clutched im told, not really shifted gears yet.
Im off to fastenal to hopefully get the rear studs for the rear idler sprocket. So far no one has them in size,thread or shoulder correctness. I think they have found me some. That is the only thing stopping me from installing the first track to go on

---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:00 AM ----------

Should also point out my wife is ok with this ambition. She was the one taping the engine start, and she came out in her jamjams to do it, and at 1 o'clock. lol pm that is. She lives a good life no matter what she will say

[us019255]

Should also point out my wife is ok with this ambition

When my father bought a new, bright red MGB back in the '60's, my Mother in law told my mom, "It is much better than a red headed woman."

[Bill Hollinger]

The joke in the hobby is wives prefer olive drab over a red head, blonde or brunette!

[alpaca andy]

Finally the tracks are going on.









Hope to get other side done next week.

[Gil Boyd]

Andy,
Just a query. Are you hoping to mark it up externally with US star etc transfers, as it was in its original state when it left the factory, (if you have the history of course), or are you resurrecting one that died in WW2?
I assume with this particular breed in APC's, like rifles there is a comprehensive record on that side of the pond?

[Claven2]

Hi Andy - those NOS tracks look a tad dusty! lol. A nitpick:

I think you forgot to bolt on the rear outer idler

I honestly didn't know the tracks were a continuous rubber setup, or is that just because thy are 1990's israeli? Weren't the WW2 originals segmented into two halves with metal driving blades?

[alpaca andy]

There are no records sadly for any halftracks in US service. As I have read, these had a life expectancy of 3 months. It was originally an m4a1 mortar carrier, but i made it an m2a1. I do have the ord number, and all m4a1s were usa used, so i will be marking in USA scheme as original as possible

Andy,
Just a query. Are you hoping to mark it up externally with US star etc transfers, as it was in its original state when it left the factory, (if you have the history of course), or are you resurrecting one that died in WW2?
I assume with this particular breed in APC's, like rifles there is a comprehensive record on that side of the pond?

---------- Post added at 09:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 AM ----------

Outter idler will be bolted on soon, then i need to install that huge dual tension spring

All half-tracks had continuous rubber track like a rubber band. Israeli contractor that made the tracks bought the mold from goodyear after they figured there was no more money to be made. I understand that mold is available from that contractor for 100g usd now

Hi Andy - those NOS tracks look a tad dusty! lol. A nitpick:

I think you forgot to bolt on the rear outer idler

I honestly didn't know the tracks were a continuous rubber setup, or is that just because thy are 1990's israeli? Weren't the WW2 originals segmented into two halves with metal driving blades?

[Claven2]

Interesting. In your pics on page 1, the driving teeth sure look like steel...? I assume the israeli treads have a metal inner steel blade that has a thin coat of rubber on them from the moulding process...?

Hopefully someone buys the mould or contracts for more sets with the israeli moulding company - it would be nice for halftrack owners to have a continuing source of rubber