Group Restoration Projects

---

The GS Trailer had been sat in a shed for some 40 years having been purchased from the Army after the war. It was in a very sorry state but parts wise it was complete and solid. 

All metalwork had to be disassembled and shot blasted whilst the original woodwork was examined and if possible retained. It was quickly apparent that the entire floor and tailgate was rotten beyond repair along with some of the upper rails. 

Following shot blasting and priming, reassembly could commence and the first coats of British Green paint applied. 

Those parts which were beyond repair had to be replaced. A good example was the Tool box which had to be copied from the original rotten parts. 

The trailer now fully assembled and painted -awaiting final touches and markings. 

The completed Trailer. Ready for use and display 

Total project length - 8 months. 

The starting point was a rolling chassis and galvanised tank which had been recovered from a farm on the North of England. None of the pipe work or fittings remained except for the basic water filter. 

The first stage as always was the strip down and sand blasting. 

All the component parts stripped down and sand blasted and two good coats of primer. The Tank was rubbed down by hand and holes/dents repaired

The galvanised tank repaired and primed and ready for refitting to the Chassis assembly. 

Base painting and reassembly of main parts complete. Pipe work and ancillaries next. 

Trailer complete. All the individual pieces for the Pipework and connectors had to be sourced with some of the underside pipework being pre fabricated, using the original manual for dimensions and measurements. Data plates were reproduced courtesy of vintage brass plates

The Gun was originally manufactured in Montreal, Canada and after service with the British Army was left behind in Palestine. It subsequently became a fixed defence post on an Israeli kibbutz, from where it was recovered to the UK along with 4 others. 

The gun was first of all disassembled and stripped down

Most of the major “heavy lifting” in terms of disassembly, shot blasting and reassembly was carried out by an excellent engineer and restorer by the name of Adrian Barrell (Thanks again Adrian). 

The gun having been transported from Adrian’s place in Suffolk back home to where the finishing touches and kitting out could take place. 

Many of the small parts and accessories from the CES list had to be found and sourced by scouring the internet and the various Forums and Militaria shows around the country. Covers, Tools, sights, boxes, ammunition, etc, all had to be found. 

The completed AT gun sitting in our group members “museum”. 

Matt Gunning‘s Para bike started its restoration journey in a very poor state. However, it was also very original !!

There were a number of missing/replacement parts which needed to be sourced and some significant repairs were needed. 

The frame, forks and handle bars all required straightening and in some areas the metalwork had weakened to a point where some parts needed re welding. However, after a lot of effort, the frame was realigned correctly. 

The wheels needed lot of attention but the results speak for themselves. Rims and spikes got a lot of attention and NOS wartime tyres were sourced and fitted. 

One area that proved challenging was the main sprocket and folding pedals. Bushes, pins, and bearings all needed a lot of work. 

The fully restored Bike, on display, in all its glory. 

Members of the Group have taken part in the restoration of the Dakota Aircraft situated at RAF Brize Norton. It stands outside 47 Air Despatch Squadron’s Hangar, having been moved there from RAF Lyneham when it closed. The Aircraft required a complete new paint job and was in a pretty sorry state. 

The restoration was lead by Brian Hall and all the Volunteers spent 4 months worth of weekends working on the Aircraft. First stage was Scraping and Sanding the existing Paintwork, to a point where the Aircraft could receive new paint. 

Weather and Temperature were key factors. The Army Despatch Squadron erected scaffolding and Sheeting to afford some protection, whilst the work was carried out. 

With the surfaces sanded and prepped as much as possible, the first areas of repainting could be started. These were the engine cowlings and the underside of the wings. 

The Paint was specially sourced and is expected to last a good many years. The Aircraft is finished with Invasion Black and White recognition stripes and with an overall dark Green finish to the upper surfaces and fuselage. 

The completed Restoration. A fitting tribute to all those brave crews and despatchers who flew through storms of fire to deliver their loads wherever they were needed.