MAPLE LEAF UP

Vol. 28 No. 1 JAN 2005 Military Vehicle

Historical Society

photo courtesy of Maple Ridge News – Simone Ponne

Remembrance Day this year was extra special in Maple Ridge. A week of events ran from November 7th to 11th. It began with a parade of Legionnaires on the 7th from the Legion to City Hall with members of Western Command providing an escort. Mayor Morse presented Branch 88 of the Legion with the “Freedom of the District”. A vehicle display was then set up in front of the Arts Club Theatre (ACT). Inside the ACT a room was filled with dioramas and displays covering from the First World War, Second World War, many collections of military kit and a Canadian Peacekeepers display. This display room was open to the public daily until November 11th. There was also a very good play put on by student actors. Approximately 6000 people attended by November 11th.

More on page 2

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 1

Western Command members Jeff Davis and George Boatman were very instrumental in organizing this event. Many club members participated with equipment and vehicle displays. People have already asked if this will be repeated next year but both members said very unlikely. (however now that the trail has been broken and the enthusiasm seen maybe next year will be easier- ed.)

Two CMPs that were present belong to Harry Moon and Pat Papworth. Both are 1944 C15A Wire 5s.

Excellent re-creation of a First World War trench. The bales of hay provided an olfactory sense as well.

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 2

From the President: Season’s greetings to all Western Command members and their families. With regret, we accept the resignation of our newsletter editor, Colin Stevens. We thank Colin for the many years he has produced the club newsletter and also for the support and input to the club since it’s founding. The vice-president of the club, Rob Jansen, has resigned due to family problems and he intends to relocate to Trail, B.C., in the near future. With six months absence of these members of the club’s board it has not been easy to do any effective promotion for the club or it’s events. At this time I would like to thank Dean Wilcox, our financial officer, for his dedication to his position and support of the club. Also Bruce MacMillan has agreed to take on the position of editor of our club’s newsletter so please be patient and offer any help that you can to Bruce during the start-up period of the new newsletter. Don Robson has offered to be interim vice-president until our elections in February. Thanks Don, I appreciate your help. In response to the previous editor’s editorial I have researched the “loss of members” from the club records 2003 to present 2004 membership.

(I have edited for brevity – editor)

Location Reason for leaving Victoria unknown Delta moving Surrey no newsletter received, no invite to xmas party, no thanks for show participation Princeton distance from club Burnaby unknown New Westminster unknown Queen Charlottes distance from club The writer phoned each of the out of town and in town ex members but could not reach all of them. The out of town members get very little from club membership except the newsletter. If we can improve its’ content and production quality we can possibly retain and attract more members. I do not feel the direction of the club has any influence on membership turnover. The club is run on democratic principles, with the membership input on all matters. Leaving the sandbox because “I don’t get my way” is not very productive. I asked Robert Morrison to take on the position of vice president for the interim period, which he refused. If you were truly interested in club expansion why would you refuse the proper position to exact change? My own observations are that we are attracting high calibre new members who are committed to the ideals of our club. I point to newer members who are actively restoring several vehicles at a time and are always ready to offer “hands-on” or knowledgeable advice whenever asked. The writer would rather see 3 or 4 active members join each year than twenty who join for monitory gain by flipping vehicles, selling books and other items. It was also mentioned that a museum would be an asset to the club. Having attended both the Seaforth event and the Maple Ridge event it is my contention that we already are a military museum albeit mobile.

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 3

The five-day event in Maple Ridge was outstanding in both vehicle diversity and the museum quality displays put on by our people and members of the “Arms and Uniforms” fraternity. Having visited many military museums through out the world, the displays at Maple Ridge were better than most I have seen including the Imperial War Museum and Canada’s National Museum in Ottawa. Well done Jeff Davis and George Boatman. Our club should be proud in the manner in which we honoured our veterans, which I feel is our most important duty as a club. Patrick Papworth President

Olive Drab on the Internet

There aren’t many people who don’t have internet access these days (except those out in the boonies). There are many resources available to the military collector community. Here are some that could be useful. www.westerncommand.com - our own naturally. www.dana-nield.com/convoy - forum for Convoy magazine, also now for Western Command http://www.mapleleafup.org - the Maple Leaf Up site (not our newsletter) http://www.mvpa.org - the large US umbrella organization http://prairiecommand.homestead.com - Prairie Command website http://www.omva.ca - Ontario Military Vehicle Association http://home.wxs.nl/~meuls003 - Louis Meulstee’s site –Wireless for the Warrior http://www.oldcmp.net - Keith Webb’s site of CMP stuff in Australia, great pictures http://www.qualichem.ca - Qualichem Industrial Products, suppliers of camo paint If you have any additions or favourite websites please let me know so this can be updated.

-Editor

2005 membership renewals are due now – only $25 send to: WCMVHS, box 72044, Old Orchard P.O., Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4P9

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 2000h.

The location is:

Royal Canadian Legion 5289 Grimmer St., Burnaby, B.C.

Up the elevator to your right as you enter the building. If you park in the Legion parking lot you will

need a free parking pass from the that is obtained from the bar.

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 4

SITREP on the Christmas Party The Western Command Christmas Party was held December 11th at Ian Newby’s place in Aldergrove. The following is a report on the event from Ian. We had a great evening; not quite as many of the members attended as had indicated by the show of hands but there was plenty of good food and drink (and merriment). Doreen’s thanks to all those who brought the wide selection of dishes and drinks. I guarantee that nobody went hungry or thirsty! The first guest arrived at 17:15 (45 min. early) and was flung out as I was still vacuuming and Doreen was still in the shower. Official start time was 1800 and the latecomers were still drifting in by 2100. Upstairs was, as announced for polite conversation, while downstairs in the bar most assembled for impolite conversation, rude songs and about 0130 the next day a full volume screening of “We Were Soldiers”. The last partygoers left between 0230 and 0300, with one notable exception who was tucked in a guest bedroom for the night as a result of overindulgence of spiritus fermentae. This individual, as an aside, was the same who failed to find the driveway or the street and powered his jeep across a newly graded lawn. Without four-wheel drive he’d probably still be there! I hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we enjoyed hosting. Cheers! Ian Buy and Sell For Sale

• M37 parts NOS windshield wipers ea $15 older 9x16 tire c/w combat rim, no rust $75 2 headlight buckets, not rusted ea $25 transmission, needs rebuild offers 3 oil bath air cleaners ea $25 251 flathead engine. Stored dried call 3 25 amp generators ea $25 4 939 J24 Southwind coolant heaters offers 2 drive shaft sets $200/set radiator cowling offers front/back propeller shafts $150 obo left front brush guard, headlight offers 3 24v regulators ea $40 From JD Baillie, Victoria, email tisvcs@yahoo.com phone 250-360-1115

• Radio Equipment BC611 – very nice condition, carrying strap, repro data plate, original manual $225 BC1000 – restored, c/w webbing: shoulder harness, belt, back pad, carry strap, accessory bag, 3 different antennas, 2 handsets, 2 manuals, phantom antenna. $650 AN/GRC9 – very nice condition, c/w both vehicle mounting plates, 2 headsets, 2 mics, 2 remote speakers, MP65 antenna base, antenna sections, 3 long wire antennas, complete spare parts box, 3 manuals, cables, DY-88 power unit, canvas bags and packs. this set is almost totally complete in early and late version. $750

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 5

VRC-7 – nice used condition, c/w NOS vehicle mount, NOS AB15 antenna base, used MS-116, 117,118 antenna sections, manuals, handset, remote speaker, cables, canvas cover, 2 riser/platform stands. Small unit, perfect for jeeps. $450 VRC-10 – great condition, c/w canvas cover, vehicle mount, AB-15 antenna base 2 sets of MS-116, 117,118 antenna sections, MP50A vehicle mount, head and handsets, canvas antenna bag, spare parts box, cables, 3 manuals. $700 VRC-12 – c/w RT-524/A (doesn’t work), R-442 (works), both canvas covers, 2 LS-454 speakers, both vehicle mounts, MX-6707 antenna base with whips, 3 handsets, headset, NOS antenna tie down kit. $850 AN/PRT-9 AN/PRR-9 – Vietnam era helmet radio, mounted on Vietnam era helmet – c/w liner, interior webbing, straps, camo cover - Mitchel style, manual, 4 spare PRT-9 batteries, 2 spare dummy batteries 3 NOS PRR-9 batteries. $175 US Army helmet liners – 5 complete leather chin straps and nape straps $45 – $55 each Korean war US Army helmet – c/w liner and chin strap. Has Lt. Col. Rank affixed. $125 Repro German WW2 helmets – post war border guard helmets. Have rolled rim like M40. one is a double decal Heer with camo net and clips, other has SS style camo cover with rocker clips but no decal. Both are large size – 66 shells and 59/60 liners. Helmets, liners and chin straps are like new. $125 for the “Heer” and $150 for the “SS” style Prices are negotiable and would consider trades. From Steve Granger, Abbotsford, email 42mb155805@telus.net , phone 604-557-1177

or cell 604-816-6641

• From Prairie Command newsletter For sale – Cab 12 Chev 8CWT 2wd. No box, year unknown. Cab complete but rough. $400 1943 Ford 15CWT. Rebuilt motor, needs brake work and wiring. Original tread pattern 10.50 X 16 tires in good shape. Extra springs in rear. Ken Heiberg 306-585-3406 or kaheiberg@accesscomm.ca

For sale - M38-A1-CDN2 with canvas top and side curtains, no doors, C42 radio set. $6000 Jim 204-745-3405 or jkh@mb.sympatico.ca Wanted

• Left front spring pack for M43/M152 JD Baillie, Victoria, email tisvcs@yahoo.com phone 250-360-1115 To add for sale or wanted items you can mail the editor at the club address, email me, Bruce MacMillan at radio@telus.net or call me at 604-467-3715.

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 6

Want to buy a jeep in a crate? Locate this secret warehouse somewhere in Ontario!.

From the Canadian Army Journal, April 1953

From an article by Major C.N. Carscallen, Directorate of Vehicle Development, Army Headquarters, Ottawa. In December 1952 production started on an even newer version of the “jeep” at the Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. This new model, known as the M38A1 has an improved appearance and better performance and should prove popular with the Canadian Army.

Continued on next page

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 7

When you see the M38A1 you will notice first it’s generally smoother streamlined appearance. The longer curved front fenders cover a wider area to keep mud from being flung onto you and your windshield by your tires. It has straight sides with nothing projecting – not even protecting bars over the gas tank cap and headlights. The engine hood is slightly rounded with straps underneath for the pioneer shovel. The axe is strapped to the right rear wheel housing. There is nothing to snag you when climbing in or out of the vehicle. The ‘A1 is 5 ½ inches longer than the ’38 and has no tailgate. The increased body dimensions will allow the installation of certain types of communication equipment, gun mounts and technical cargoes that were difficult or impossible to install in the M38. The windshield has been changed too, the ‘A1 having a two-panel windshield; the ’38 has only one pane. This change will facilitate the replacement of broken or cracked windshield glass; also the ‘A1 windshield can be removed more quickly than that on the ’38. Defroster vents and ducts are built into the new vehicle all ready for use with the personnel heater that goes under the hood on the left side. The windshield wipers now swing from the top of the frame rather than from the bottom, which will keep them away from the built-in defroster. Now look around the inside of the body. You’ll notice that the map compartment has been enlarged and moved to the left side, handy to the driver. On the right side, where the compartment used to be, a hold-on bar has been placed to enable the co-driver to stay put when the ride is rough. The foot-brake pedal is spaced farther from both the clutch and accelerator pedal on the ‘A1 to avoid the interference trouble sometimes encountered on the M38, especially with large winter overshoes. The handbrake has been moved from the dash to the floor between the front seats and controls the brakes through direct linkage. On older vehicles the handbrake has a cable control. Among the “bigger and better” items is the gas tank under the driver’s seat. It now holds 14 imperial gallons instead of 11 2/3 gallons as in the other model. Getting down and underneath you will notice the springs are longer and spaced a little farther apart. This provides improved ride characteristics and is expected to reduce spring breakage; also the steering ratio has been increased from 14 to 1 on the M38 to 19 to 1 on the ‘A1, so there is less tendency to wander and more turns of the steering wheel are needed to turn the wheels. The biggest improvement has been made under the hood. Increased engine power and improved fuel economy have been achieved by replacing the 60 HP, L-head, 4 cylinder engine of the M38 with a 72 HP, F-head, 4 cylinder model while retaining interchangeability of components to a high degree. These and other changes have made the latest edition of the Army’s pack-mule, the M38A1, a versatile and dependable performer.

VOL. 28 No. 1 – 2005 JAN - PAGE 8