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M-42 Duster refurbishing project-a question


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Well the weather smiled on us finally and 8 volunteers showed up today so we worked on finishing the paint on the front of the duster, the gunbarrel on the Bofors and the armor plate on the 75.

 

We were pleasantly surprised when we popped the hatches on the duster and found it almost completely dry inside---we hadn't opened the hatches since late November and there had been a lot of rain since then ---but instead of puddles, we found dryness and places where our rust converter had really sealed parts of the interior deck....

 

and better news---the concrete display pads next to the HQ are finished and after they completely cure, we will be able to move the Duster to its display pad and finish off the final paint coat there----as soon as we get it moved, we can bring in the Sherman and going on that...

s/f

Al

post-2235-0-61581000-1583452094_thumb.jpg

post-2235-0-62285300-1583452102_thumb.jpg

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  • 4 months later...

We have slowly re-started our Covid-delayed efforts to refurbish some of the macro artifacts in the Virginia National Guard Historical Collection--we finished the French 75mm and moved it to its display location on the drill hall floor, and started on the 40mm Bofors AA gun....

Moving the 75 - low res.JPG

july 75 mm low res.JPG

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and we are closing in on finishing the 2nd coat of paint on the M42 Duster--for comparison, I have attached a "before" and a "now" photo...it's important to remember that all of this work is being done by retired veterans who have volunteered their time--among the crew are 2 former Ordnance officers, a Trans Corps officer, an aviation officer, a combat engineer NCO, a Marine Corps signalman, an Army Supply NCO, an Army Artillery CSM, an Army MI NCO,  a Navy CW-4, and an Army Medical Service Corps officer.  and the beat goes on....still in the queue for future work: an Easy 8 Sherman, a DUKW, an up-armored HUMVEE, and a 1950s 155mm.....

Retiree OPD - 3.JPG

July 9 2020 duster turret low res.JPG

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  • 2 months later...

Well, we survived the hot days of August and September, barely, and are still at it--as you can see, the Duster is almost finished and will shortly be moved to its display pad---as work winds down on the duster, most of the crew has switched over to the 155 which is already on a display pad.  After we move the duster and the 40mm to their pads we will have room to work on an uparmored Humvee and the 1941 Dodge Command Car--the Sherman and DuKW are still awaiting their turn.

s/f

Al

Oct 1 2020 Duster  w Forrest (low res).JPG

Sept 3 155 (low res).JPG

October 1 2020 turret (low res).JPG

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  • 4 weeks later...

With the help of good weather and some great soldiers, we got the duster moved to its display pad on the side of the HQ next to the 155mm we are refurbishing--as a reminder, here's how it looked when we got it, how it looks today, and its new home---next up, finish the 155 and begin the whole thing over again on a M41 Bulldog and an uparmored HUMVEE.....when we have completely finished the 155 and applied appropriate tac marks on the duster and the gun, our plan is to have a ceremony to honor our Vietnam vets and dedicate these displays to them. 

Duster - original - April 2019 (low res).JPG

October 28 2020 duster (low res).JPG

October 28 2020 display (low res).JPG

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  • 2 months later...

and here is the latest photo of the 1919 75mm on the Drill floor in our HQ---note the 29th DiVARTY sign and carpet that were rescued and donated to the VANG for display with the 75 in honor of the 111th Field Artillery.  We already have plans for the walls in that corner which will really set off the 75....I'll post pictures when its completed.

s/f

Al

75mm at jfhq.JPG

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Here are some before and after photos of the other items our VANG Historical Foundation volunteers have been working on this year:

 

the 40mm Bofors as it looked in April and then again in July 

and the 155mm as it looked in July and then again in November

 

the guys were already used to wearing masks and being outside to work on these artifacts so we were able to comply with all social distancing requirements 

40mm April  11 2020 low res.JPG

40mm July 16 2020 Low res.JPG

155mm July 29 2020 low res.JPG

155mmk Nov 25 2020 low res.JPG

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