Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

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Trackpad
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Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Wed Dec 18, 2019 7:23 pm

Hello all,

After years of sitting back and reading, I thought it was time I made a contribution the the 'Gee'

I have the remains of several MB/ GPW Jeeps which I have been gathering together to build up a replica USMC ambulance conversion

I'm not usually a fan of replicas but this should prove to be an interesting and useful vehicle built up from recycled junk left over from other collector's projects.

I will pist up pics and info as the sliw build progresses.

Wish me luck

Phill
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)


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tractor12
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by tractor12 » Wed Dec 18, 2019 9:35 pm

Good luck on your build. I hopefully will be starting my original early next year
WC12 Wc 27 2 K38s Mz2 ambulance jeep 2 M3a4s M1a1 Chemical Mortar cart T4e1 usmc cart convertible

Trackpad
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Thu Dec 19, 2019 2:40 am

Hi Tractor12,

Thanks for the feedback.

Perhaps we can swap notes next year if you are interested ?

I would dearly love to have the real thing but as a consolation I will have to build my own 😳

Regards

Phill
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

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nick peters
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by nick peters » Thu Dec 26, 2019 7:49 am

Phill
Good luck with your project. Just a complete longshot. I wonder if Holden still have any blueprints for their Ambulance jeeps? Don't even know if Holden had any archives. :roll: Maybe worth contacting Ian Fawbert to see if he knows of any archive material. Ian does a hell of a lot of Aussie jeep research. Nice bloke as well, I know he'll help you if he can.
regards Nick
ps Where in Australia are you located?

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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:42 pm

Hello Nick, thanks for the feedback,

Yes I know Ian and have corresponded with him in the past. I am also Sydney based.

Regarding the project - I'm still undecidd whether to build it as a 'Holden' pattern or the later and higher roofed USMC spec.

In the end I may make the best of both types with some oersonal mods to accomodate my 6'6 height.

Not my first restoration/build by any stretch but most certainly my first foray into the dark workd of replicas

Regards

Phill
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

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nick peters
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by nick peters » Fri Dec 27, 2019 1:17 am

Hello Phill
I,m sure you'll get plenty of help here on 503 from guys who have the type of ambulance you decide on to go for. Good to hear you know Ian. Just hope that neither of you are too near those bloody fires. Happy new year to you and your family and I wish you well with your project.
regards Nick.
ps I don't know if you know Andy Seymour Down in Melbourne? He'd be a good contact for any mechanical problems you have. Or Simon (cannot remember his last name) (Ian will know him) Up in Castlemaine he's excellent at making any body panels you may need.

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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:42 pm

Hello Nick, not sure why but I only just saw your message,

Regarding mechanical, I have several very skilled fellow members of my club to fall back on if I get stumped. This is the 10th Jeep I have owned and I have restored several from the ground up so I have a fair grounding on the G503.

Not sure about Holden's pkans etc. i may have my wires crossed but thought I heard their old files were all dumped after the war ?

Regarding the configuration, I'm fairly settled on the USMC spec later high roof version and it is being built to resemble a well used Korean War survivor as opposed to anything near factory.

It will have a USMC memorial plaque on the dash or grille and I have decided to have 'The Chosin Few' signwritten across the windscreen lower steel panel

Due to an economic downturn recently the budget was cut half which means the build time has doubled but this is one of several projects and I am retired so no pressure

Cheers

Phill
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

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nick peters
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by nick peters » Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:51 pm

Hey Phil
Good luck with your project it sounds great :)
regards Nick

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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:30 pm

Just a bit of a teaser as this is a very slow build but here's an example of the finish I'm aiming for in the attached photo.

Basically a well maintained in service vehicle survivor in the Korean conflict.

Cheers

Phill
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48561149-BC48-45B5-BDDD-F9EC184202BA.jpeg
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

Trackpad
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:35 pm

And another teaser while I experiment with paint, finish and markings on the front bumper and rear bumperettes.

Clearly the paint I used for the Geneva cross failed and peeled off with the maskng tape.

The rear bumperette may have to be repainted if I fit it upside down which I'm thinking about.

Not much else so far worth showing but boxes and boxes of restored small parts

Cheers for now

Phill
Attachments
F713959A-3D19-4641-8077-DAC6138440B0.jpeg
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

Trackpad
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:42 pm

Actually, I just realised I have pics of where I started so I'm posting some up to keep the interest going.

First is the original jeep project I started with - a late GPW with ford axles, MB engine and early MB body tub...
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9077C41F-D93F-4358-BB35-9F46275E610A.jpeg
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

Trackpad
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:47 pm

The original project - a real frankenstein's mnster had been part of a museum which had closed down.

Someone had started a restoration of sorts but had used random parts of early/late MB/GPW.

There was a spare late GPW chassis which is the one I decided to use.

The MB engine is an Esslingen rebuild according the the data tag on the side of the block. I'm sure there would be a great story about how it found it's way to the Australian outback then into a museum collection. Unfortunately no information could be found.

The original body tub and all the missing parts were sold separately too which was a pity.
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3C1F3F06-7706-4C10-8952-201CA2545FB3.jpeg
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

Trackpad
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:49 pm

I also acquired the very very very rough stripped shell of an early GPW to assist with parts and patterns.

Mch worse than it appears in the pics it was a least cheap and had a lot of brackets and fittings I needed...
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BAE298AB-11AE-46A7-B436-FEEC634F9CBA.jpeg
Last edited by Trackpad on Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

Trackpad
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by Trackpad » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:53 pm

Another look at the rusted out and abused early GPW shell.

Even the chassis was scrap, but I have saved every possible component for re use
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8CBEFDFC-39B0-4EEC-B365-343AF330D41C.jpeg
1944 GPW (USMC Ambulance tribute)
1943 MB (Parts vehicle)

blitz67
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Re: Slow-build USMC Ambulance replica down under

Post by blitz67 » Mon Mar 01, 2021 2:48 pm

You should change your stencil font to something a little more original, you will get a better finished product, those stencils look more generic Walmart than WWII, still looks nice though!!


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