Father-Son Weasel Project

[DonM]

Hi all, 

My son Charlie and I are very happy to join the Weasel community with our acquisition of a M29 hull and running gear from Patrick. (By the way, thanks to Patrick for graciously spending time with us and filling us in on Weasel lore!) We have just begun tearing into it and cleaning it up for restoration. We absolutely love it!

Some quick initial and I think interesting observations.

The tag number is 2003, which according to the appendix in David Doyle's excellent book, Images of War, M29 Weasel, which is the first unit of a lot of 100 added to an initial production of 1,000 units under contract 271-ORD-4727. 

There was some discussion with Patrick about the "fender flares" and whether they were added on after production and not actually original to the unit. There are sections of "fender" that are obviously riveted on and not appearing at all to be original. However, other sections look to be welded to the side of the hull. Upon close inspection of the welded sections after some stripping of paint, there is a layer of zinc-chromate primer such as what would be applied in the factory. This leads us to believe that perhaps the "fenders" are indeed original to this unit. It is also interesting to note that holes for the lower bolts of the parachute brackets are underneath the welded "fenders". Could this mean that the 100 units of the contract were transitional units between the "non-fendered" M-29s with parachute brackets, and the "fendered" M-29s with no brackets? 

We are just newbies at this so maybe somebody out there knows better.

Another item we discovered was a tag on the differential from a repair shop in Lyon, France dated March 1957. Was it a repair shop serving a US Army unit before they shipped it off to Norway?

Finally, regarding paint, we have been trying to carefully strip off paint layer by layer in search of any markings that may identify units that may have operated this vehicle.No luck so far, but we have found a layer of what appears to be a white and brown camouflage near the top of the layers. My question is what have you guys seen for paint schemes on Norway return vehicles?

A quick note on photos:

Photo 1 shows a joint between the riveted section of "fender" and welded section. Note the zinc-chromate primer on the welded section.

Photo 2 shows Charlie cutting off the riveted sections

Photo 3 shows the two lower bolt holes under the "fender" where he removed a riveted section and you an see the third hole under the small section of welded "fender"

This is just the start of the fun for us and again many thanks to Patrick for helping us get started and for this excellent forum!

Don M

 

[OZM29C]

@DonM I am by no means an authority on Weasel production changes but when you mentioned the 'Zinc Chromate paint' found under the track skirts and also looking at the how the skirts have been fabricated and welded to the hull, I would hazard a guess that your hull may have gone through a rebuild in the 50's by for example, the Letterkenny Ordnance depot.

[Patrick Tipton]

Congrats again Don & Charlie.  I am really happy to see this machine in your capable hands.  Can't wait to see it running and driving!

Very interesting about the side skirts....those do look like traditional factory welds on the side skirts.  Maybe your Weasel was indeed shipped with 20 inch tracks.  @Jim Gilmore should be able to help us on this - he is slow on his responses, but I will see him this weekend at the Gilbert, PA Redball Show and will make sure he jumps in here.

Thanks again and welcome.  Be sure to post lots of pictures.  We all enjoy seeing the restoration process.  I am a few weeks away from getting back on my T24 - starting with the engine build.  Looking forward to it!

[OZM29C]

@DonM The attachment may be of help to you.

TB 9-772-FE3.pdf

[DonM]

Thanks OZM29C!

Is the "serial number" referred to in the bulletin the same as the "hull number"? Our hull number is UST-24-2003 but the serial number plate is odd, it has "1003 AND UP" for the serial number.

Here is a photo of the two plates.

[OZM29C]

9 minutes ago, DonM said:

Thanks OZM29C!

Is the "serial number" referred to in the bulletin the same as the "hull number"? Our hull number is UST-24-2003 but the serial number plate is odd, it has "1003 AND UP" for the serial number.

Here is a photo of the two plates.

@DonM There are learned Weasel scholars out there who can better offer advice regarding Weasel identification numbers however I can say for sure is that your ORD plate is a reproduction but your hull tag appears to be OEM. The serial number stated in the documentation is taken from the ORD plate positioned on the bulkhead behind the drivers head, not the Hull tag located on the upper right bulkhead in the rear compartment. Could I suggest that you have a dig around the rear bulkhead behind the driver as you might just be lucky enough to find a USA number. See position in the attached photo.

[OZM29C]

One last thing, this production change list is a handy reference tool that might help you correlate the changes in production to your weasel;

All production changes follow the ordnance serial number, found on the data plate behind the driver seat, and all changes came into effect on the serial number after the one stated in the list.

807:

• Oil seals instead of just gaskets are now installed on the drive sprocket shafts.

1002:

• The heater switch is no longer installed.
• The ignition switch is changed to a three position switch.
• The radiator is changed to one with large capacity.
• The fan shroud is changed
• The fuel filter is moved from the front coaming next to the fuel tank to in front of the radiator on the right hand side.
• Grease fittings are installed for lubrication of the bogie wheel shafts.
• Shims are now installed on the bogie wheel shafts to aid in setting bearing pre load.
• The engine compartment divider panel is changed to a two piece design.
• A canvas seal is installed around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel.
• The radio terminal box changes location.
• The radio antenna cable on the left side of the hull is no longer installed.
• Name change from T24 to M29.

 2102:

• Track deisgn is changed, 20" tracks are installed.
• Track skirts are now installed.
• The pintle hook is changed to none swiveling type.
• An H plate is installed on the gear shift lever assembly.
• A guide bracket is installed on the engine for the gear shift rods.
• The compass is no longer installed.
• The voltmeter is no longer installed.
• The hand crank is no longer installed.
• The demolition charge is no longer installed.
• The drivers hand hold is no longer installed.
• The cargo partition is no longer installed.
• The installation of the bogie support arm is changed.
• The bogie wheel yokes change design to being cast instead of shaped from sheet metal.
• The extra rebound bumpers on the two middle traverse springs are no longer installed.
• The design of the traverse springs is changed.
• The idler wheel is changed to a split type design.
• Oilers are installed on steering lever shafts.
• Grease fittings are installed in the guide wheels.

2197:

• The transmission cover gets a breather hole.

2365:

• Change of the safety clip in the clutch.

3102:

• The hand crank hole is no longer installed.
• A transmission service access panel is installed in the rear floor.
• The search light is no longer installed.
• A fixed headlight is now installed.
• The battery is changed from one 12 Volt to two 6 Volt wired in series.
• The location of the fire extinguisher is changed from the back to the front of the vehicle.
• More grease fittings are installed in the bogies.
• The brush guard design is changed, and can no longer be folded down.
• The top back curtain is now a separate piece.

3132: 

• All weasels are now painted OD instead of camouflage white and black.
• All canvas parts change colour from white to OD.

3331:

• The radio interference filter on the generator regulator is changed to a condenser.
• The generator to regulator electrical harness is changed to a shielded type.

 3449:

• The track tension springs are changed to a 7 leaves design.
• An oil drain plug is now installed in the differential housing on the left side.

3601:

• The fuel pump is changed from a two valve type to a six valve type.
• The air cleaner is change to the oil bath type.

4102:

• Name change from M29 to M29C.
• Flotation tanks are now installed.
• The guide wheel shafts are now replaceable and no longer welded to the guide wheel mounts.
• The canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment panel change colour from white to OD.
• Stretcher brackets are now installed.

4935:

• Lubrication free bushings are now installed in the clutch pedal shaft.

5476:

• Grease fittings are installed in the drive wheel hubs.

8141:

• Seat belts are no longer installed.

9402:

• The text ”LIFT HERE” is now painted next to the lifting holes.

9502:

• The mechanical fuel pump is no longer installed.
• Electric fuel pump installed in the fuel tank is now installed.
• A new tool to check the track tension, by the use of a torque wrench, is now introduced.

10922:

• A warning placard is added about the use of the clutch.

11575:

• An opening is now in cut the left hand radiator support panel to aid in air circulation.
• The design of the canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel is now changed to a metal and felt design.

12325:

• The differential drain plug is changed to magnetic type.

13199:

• The transmission drain plug is changed to a magnetic type.

13560:

• The design of the clutch control linkage is changed.
• Drive wheel carrier brace rods are installed.
• The fuel tank is changed from a metal tank to a self sealing type.
• A ground wire is installed on the electric fuel pump.

14229:

• Reinforcement rings are now installed on the drive wheels.

14682:

• The light switch design is changed to the rotary type.
• Blackout drive light is now installed.

around. 14999: (Planned, but not executed)

• Track tension spring design is changed from leaf spring to coil spring.

15126:

• Weasel production ends, 1945.08.29.

around. 15562: (Planned, but not executed)

• A scraper is installed on the drive wheel carrier to keep dirt and debris out of the drive wheels.

ca. 15681: (Planned, but not executed)

• A handbrake is installed.

Edited July 11, 2021 by M29C3284
New information added

[DonM]

This is excellent info!! We’ll definitely check on that bulkhead too. Thanks again!!