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WWII barracks & bunks plans needed


cmjordan77
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Hi,

I am trying to build a WWII US Army barracks. I am trying to build one like everyone has seen on band of brothers. Does ANYONE out there have blueprints for a WWII US ARMY BARRACKS? I have a somewhat of a blueprint for a Company/division HQ, but I need this for a BARRACKS. Does anyone have something like this they can email or fax me a copy of?

I also need all the details of what went into the barracks. I am trying to get a stove (trying to find out what kind of stove was used), beds, windows, type of wood, etc...

 

I also need a WWII Bunk (not a cot, an actual Bunk bed). I also need anything I can get in helping me build one of these along with I am building a WWII US ARMY Office.

 

If anyone has any items, please let me know!

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thank you kindly!!

Chad

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Stinger Gunner USMC

That sure will be a big undertaking! Good luck, i'd love to see it when finished. Are you going to build a full size barracks or just a small version with a couple bunks?

Keep your eyes out on craigs list or ebay for the bunks. I had a want ad on craigs list a while back for bunks but the only response I got, the guy wanted $250 for one w/o the mattresses. I found one ahile back on ebay for $25 but it was pick up only in Maine of all places.

another movie that has some nice shots in a barracks is "Memphis Belle"

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General Apathy

Hi Chad, very interesting project you have planned. I thought that I would be able to help you, however you will

probably wish I hadn't added this comment.

 

In my collection I have an official WWII Army manual on the construction of wooden barracks of varying sizes and uses, that's fine. Now the downside, a few months back I packed up all of my possessions and moved house, to add

to the problem I also moved country. Presently it is impossible to find what I am looking for amongst the boxes so

for now I have to back track on the offer of help until the manual surfaces.

 

At least you may now be aware that such a manual exists and track one down somewhere else. However I would ask that you send me a private message that I can hold on my message section to remind of how to get back in touch with you when I do find it.

 

Would love to aid you in your project with copies of the manual.

 

Cheers ( Lewis )

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Stinger Gunner USMC

I cant take credit for these photos, as I had saved them off the web some time ago, but This is at the museum at Chenute Air Field Museum in Rantoul IL

post-1672-1209417042.jpg

post-1672-1209417050.jpg

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Wow,

That is an awesome photo. I would love to have mine look like this. I am looking to try and build a smaller version with 4-6 bunks. I have a local guy who has some WWII Bunks he is going to sell me. I have an OLDDDDDS saw mill in my area that I know can cut the wood. I know that most of the wood was rough cut back then, or at least I think so. I saw on ebay an ARMY STOVE, but I missed out cause it was a local pickup only and it was in PA, or NJ, or NY or somewheres such. I think I will have to go that route when I get the barracks built and get to that point, but I dont want to buy new seats when I dont have the car yet.

I greatly appreciate any other help that you fellas can provide.

Thank you again!

Chad

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I dont know which type of cot to use. I have access to a few metal bunks, and I am actually talking to someone on this site that has a WWII Wooden bunk to sell me. I guess I could use both, but I dont know which one is preferred. I think they were both used extensively. Photo above has wooden, but I have seen tons with metal frames. Any ideas? Also, has anyone seen any other stoves for sale or lockers? I have foot lockers, but I see the lockers in the photo's above and I spoke to a few guys that told me that a locker was part of the barracks.

And if you ever find that manual Lewis, Please let me know, and thank you to all for the help, I appreciate the photos and look forward to seeing more.

 

Please let me know if anyone else has any information.

 

Thank you so much!

Chad

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Chad---

 

If you intend to replicate a typical Army training base barrack, you would do best with a metal bunk. I believe this is what is generally found at installations that are "permanent." The wooden bunks, as seen in my two photos, were constructed on site. Thus there was no need to haul in such furnishings.

 

Note that Camp Clinton was a temporary installation, to be used only for the duration of the war. After it was closed, the buildings, mostly pre-fab, were partially disassembled, sold as surplus property, and trucked away to local farms, etc. Smaller fixtures and furniture would likely have been destroyed. I know many things at the camp were burned. At some camps, even the underground plumbing and sewer lines were dug up and sold! For a number of small towns, this is how they were able to "modernize" their water supply and sewage system.

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Hi folks,

I am planning on some big projects (building a WWII Barracks, and a WWII Office). The office I have started, the barracks i havent yet.

I need a set of WWII BARRACKS BLUEPRINTS! I would also love to get the blueprints off a bunk.

I would like to buy the bunks, but I was thinking, heck if I am building a barracks, a few wooden bunks couldnt be too hard to build too.

i am looking to build a smaller version of a barracks (about 4-6 bunks), but any size plans will do, I will just cut the sizes in half.

I am also making a WWII Office, so any WWII Office items would be greatly needed.

 

I need anything and everything associated with a WWII Barracks as well.

Heater/stove, bunks, locker (not foot, but wall), etc...

 

If anyone has any of these things, PLEASE PM me, email me, call me, I will get 2 cans and a string and we can talk, etc... just let me know.

 

 

Thanks again!!

 

Chad

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There were two threads about this so they have been merged into one and the title changed to specify what is needed.

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Check with the curators at the several Army post museums -- Forts Jackson and Leonard Wood come to mind. These are actually located in WW2 barracks and have small sections set up as they were during the war. Perhaps a visit, pre-arranged of course, with a tape measure, sketchpad and a camera would solve your problem.

 

Good Luck!

 

G

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siege1863

This is part of a PM sent to me by member tylis2 regarding the bunks seen in my two photos. Very informative!

 

 

I have a set of the wooden bunks in the picture, with original varnish finishes, and a US routed on one of the end panels. They are made of laminaed oak boards for posts and single boards for the side and end rails, and they came out of an old boy scout camp in upstate new york that was being sold off some 20 odd years ago. Hundreds of them. They have flat metal "springs" with about 3" coil springs on either end holding the metal springs to the wooden frame rails; and horsehair matresses covered in a blue striped mattress ticking. The rails are held to the headboard /footboard with approx 6" threaded bolts. Contract marking on the inside of the frame indicated they were sold by Macy's NY.

 

If you look at the photo closely, you will see a little light shining through the bottom of the posts on the bunks through a groove 'cut' into the bottom; these are bunk beds that were used singly in this photo. On the top of the posts was a piece of wood that formed a tongue. When assembled as a bunk bed, the tounge fits into the groove and provides a solid joint. The top and bottom sections differed. The bottom section had a flat bottom on the post to sit on the floor, and the tongue on the top of the post; and the top section had the groove on the bottom of the post and was flat on the top. These bunks would all be top sections. The 3 piece laminated posts would allow for the center piece to be raised / lowered to form the tongue / groove without cutting during manufacturing.

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siege1863

Chad---

 

Since we have now posted photos, plans, and descriptions of some of the items you are seeking, perhaps we should have a moderator move this topic from the "Wanted" section to the "Field & Personal Gear" or "Misc." section as a means of reference.

 

---Mike

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cmjordan77

Hi,

Okay, whereever you deem fit for the post. Hopefully we can get someone who has some barracks plans as well.

Thank you to all, please continue replying for any new information, detailed photos, or plans.

Please PM me to if needed.

Thank you also for the bunk blue prints.

Chad

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Hi,

Okay, whereever you deem fit for the post. Hopefully we can get someone who has some barracks plans as well.

Thank you to all, please continue replying for any new information, detailed photos, or plans.

Please PM me to if needed.

Thank you also for the bunk blue prints.

Chad

 

Hey Chad, I know you have been working on these projects for awhile. Make sure you take some pics and post them when you are finnished!

I am sure we would all like to see the end result. thumbsup.gif

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cmjordan77

I certainly will. I am getting a list of supplies, and I almost have enough stuff to fill my WWII office. I am trying to put my focus now mostly on the barracks. I have 3 WWII footlockers (2 enlisted, and 1 officer), I am going to build the bunks from the plans above if I cannot find any metal bunks.

I will keep everyone posted and please email me if anything else is found!

Thank you!!

Chad

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cmjordan77

What color does a barracks cover need to be?

The barracks cover is the "sheet" that covers the mattress entirely. I found one that is white, and I found 1 that is green.

I do not know which one I should get.

Can someone please let me know?

Thank you

Chad

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I have a couple of very good WW2 inside barracks and bunks shots from a draftee's photo album.

They are at home so I wont be able to put them up for a couple of weeks.

I'll put them here when I get home.

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New Romantic

Don't forget the latrine...

 

When I was in the Army Nat Guard from 2000-2006, I had the chance to stay in old 1940's-1950's barracks at Ft. Pickett, VA. From the looks of the interiors it looked like the last time any major renovation was done was the 1960's or 1970's.

 

But what stood out to me was how archaic the latrine ( restrooms) was. The sinks had two water faucets- one for cold water, the other for scalding hot water. I suppose that back in the day two faucets would have made sense if the sink was plugged up and filled with water. However, now that's a bit unsanitary considering how many guys use the sinks in one day over many years. So we have two faucets and I like to use warm water to take care of personal hygiene.

 

Another thing was the toilets which were in a little room. Six toilets with three facing each other. Some barracks had stalls, but no doors. But what was really great ( sarcasm), some barracks didn't have any stalls! Just a room with six toilets out in the open. So much for privacy.

 

Oh yeah and there were no urinals, just a long troft we pissed in.

 

I'm sure the soldiers of WWII went through the same latrine experiences.

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1SG_1st_Cav

Chad: Are you talking about building the typical two story Wooden Barracks that were built here in the US at all Army Posts? If so, I have a picture of the barracks I lived in back in 1961-62 at Ft Campbell, KY. I also have a picture of the Orderly/Dayroom, and another of the mess hall. Send me an email at [email protected]. First Team ~ Sir! 1SG_1st_Cav

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cmjordan77

Thanks 1st CAV, I sent you an email. Good news, I found BLUE PRINTS for a WWII Barracks building in a Field Manual, FM 5-10. This FM has TONS of blue prints for buildings, bathrooms, bridges, etc... It is a must have for someone who is trying to build a WWII building. It tells all the supplies you need, gives you full blueprints!!! I got mine for $15, what a deal!

 

Please send more pictures so I can at least get examples if anyone else has any info.

 

I will actually tell you another great place to look for WWII Office examples is on MASH. It is set in KOREA, but I notice TONS of stuff that I have seen in WWII Photos. I mean TONS of stuff. I have gotten GREAT ideas off the show MASH, seriously.

 

Thanks to all

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I have stayed in WWII era barracks at Fort Riley, Camp Atterbury and Fort McCoy. I'll see if I can dig up any photos for you. It is a shame you didn't start this project a few years ago, as you could have just bought the barracks from McCoy. They were tearing them down at the time.

 

As a side note, in Fort Wayne, Indiana about 5 years ago, they tore down all of the USAAF officer's quarters that were located off of the base. These were being used as low cost housing. You could drive past them and easily identify which building was the mess hall, quarters, etc. It is a shame the city didn't want to preserve their military heritage.

 

Good luck with you project!

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