Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

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ferdockm
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Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by ferdockm » Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:45 am

Friends,

This project was started a couple of years ago and languished in the motor pool collecting dust. As a break from redoing brakes on my WC25, I decided to clean it off and restart its restoration.

I am posting a Google Photo Album of my work these past few weeks, which has focused on trying to fix the recuperator/recoil mechanisms housed underneath the sleigh. This cannon was butchered by the last owner(s) who thought the best way to demil a cannon (that didn't have a breach ring anyway!) was to randomly cut & weld all over it. I've cleaned up many of the welds and replaced cut bolts. But the recuperator/recoil tubes have holes in them and the end caps are welded. This you will see in these photos.

If I cannot find replacements, I intend to fix the tubes, cut off the end caps, and recast them.

Comments welcome!
Thanks

https://photos.app.goo.gl/upDsBRvrb7UFUtxaA
Regards,

Matt Ferdock
(484) 571-9458

Owner of:
1944 Ford G8T 1 1/2 ton
1944 M16 Halftrack
1941 M3A1e5 White Scout Car G67; Ord 1010
1944 M8
Various Dodge & Ford WWII-era trucks, 1945 Willys MB x2 (1 armored)
M45 Quad 50 x3
75mm Pack AB Howey
37mm AT
105mm M2 USMC Howey
1942 Bantam Trailer x2
1 anxious wife


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W. Winget
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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by W. Winget » Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:03 am

Cannot see the photos on my system, but Rick Ropkey has the vent valve end cap NOS. Be cheaper than recasting it.
V/R W. Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

Hired Goon
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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by Hired Goon » Tue Jun 15, 2021 9:58 am

Matt

I stopped down and talked to your brother, but missed you at the WW2 weekend. Your vehicles looked great, glad you could bring them. George is the man at hauling armor. Mike from Wheels of Liberation in New Oxford lent us in 1st ID display his pack howitzer, a neat unit. I also heard you came across another stash of M3A1 scout car parts, I’d still like to meet up to see what you might have spares of.

Chip
Chip
1939 BMW R71, 40 BSA M20, 41 M3A1 SC, 42 M3A1 SC, 42 GPW, 43 M29 Weasel, 44 WC51, 44 BSA M20, 45 WC52, 45 WLA, 3x MB2A, 53 M211, 70 M35A2, 97 M1092A2 HMMWV

ferdockm
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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by ferdockm » Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:21 am

Chip,

Thanks for the note. Lots of spare parts. Please call.
Regards,

Matt Ferdock
(484) 571-9458

Owner of:
1944 Ford G8T 1 1/2 ton
1944 M16 Halftrack
1941 M3A1e5 White Scout Car G67; Ord 1010
1944 M8
Various Dodge & Ford WWII-era trucks, 1945 Willys MB x2 (1 armored)
M45 Quad 50 x3
75mm Pack AB Howey
37mm AT
105mm M2 USMC Howey
1942 Bantam Trailer x2
1 anxious wife

ferdockm
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 321
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2007 6:39 am
Location: Zionsville, PA
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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by ferdockm » Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:23 am

W. Winget wrote:
Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:03 am
Cannot see the photos on my system, but Rick Ropkey has the vent valve end cap NOS. Be cheaper than recasting it.
V/R W. Winget
Friend,

Do you have Rick's contact info? Thanks
Regards,

Matt Ferdock
(484) 571-9458

Owner of:
1944 Ford G8T 1 1/2 ton
1944 M16 Halftrack
1941 M3A1e5 White Scout Car G67; Ord 1010
1944 M8
Various Dodge & Ford WWII-era trucks, 1945 Willys MB x2 (1 armored)
M45 Quad 50 x3
75mm Pack AB Howey
37mm AT
105mm M2 USMC Howey
1942 Bantam Trailer x2
1 anxious wife

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W. Winget
LTC, U.S. Army
LTC, U.S. Army
Posts: 4445
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 10:37 am
Location: USA, Virginia, Carrollton
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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by W. Winget » Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:29 am

viewtopic.php?p=1888402#p1888402
Here's the link to the conversation.
V/R W Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

leadfarmer
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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by leadfarmer » Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:10 am

Thanks for sharing the photos.

What a shame someone butchered it like that.

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Re: Restarting Work on Restoring a 1943 Pack Howitzer

Post by SGT Fish » Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:24 am

Awesome project. So it looked like you found a breechring?

Is this a restoration to fireable condition? Either way, good on you for putting in the work and I am super jealous


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