GENERAL INFORMATION
BEFORE
AFTER
Airborne Compressor Arrives
I went to Fastenal today and retrieved my recent purchase. I loaded it up on my trailer and hauled it home. It is all unpacked and will sit for a while as I devote most of my effort on GPW 14518. Since this is most likely associated with an Airborne Engineer Battalion, I have decided to make the first GPW restoration as a Jeep from the 139th Airborne Engineer Battalion. I have a Converto Airborne Trailer, and this Airborne Compressor Trailer, so I can switch off the loads.
More on Data Tags
There are several data tags affixed to the outside of the compressor.
- The primary Nomenclature Data Tag designating the US Corps of Engineer, Airborne Trailer Mounted Compressor with Date of Delivery as shown above.
- Standard Shipping weight and dimension data tag used in aiding the weight and balance calculations for loading on gliders, aircraft and general shipping.
- Caution/Instruction tag for Choke and Throttle setting
- General Instruction tag for care of Ingersold-Rand machinery.
Each of these tags will need to be carefully removed, taking notice of the types of rivets or screws used to affix them/ The restoration will be difficult as some of them are curved and extremely worn/faded. I'm not sure how to proceed with these yet.
Data tags are an extremely important part of any restortion, and the highest quality will have Original tags with little wear. I find that the newly made tags tend to look, well...way to new and don't seem to have the character of the 80 year old item and they tend to stand out. The oppostie can be said for a freshly painted item with old and hard to read tags on it. Perhaps there is a middle ground.
Restoring Data Tags
It is tedious work restoring these data tags. Most are in very bad shape. I had to repair sevral dents taking care not to damage the raised lettering.
The TM lists the first compressor built as Ser. No. 102. This one is 121 making it the 19th compressor manufactured for the US Army.
Wisconsin Engine Serial Number Tag
The Wisconsin brand engine serial number data plate is totally rusted. The serial number can only be determined partialy from behind. I am assessing this to be a mid-1943 engine which jives with the date of deliver on the Army tag.
Using the table at right, there were 100729 engines built from 1 Jan 1943 to 1 Jan 1944. That translates to a straight line manufacture of 275 engines per day assuming the factories operated 7 days per week. Taking the existing serial number (I'm using 307786) and the 275/day number, this engine would end up being finished at the factory on or about the 122nd Julian day in 1943 or 2 May 1943. The Trailer was accepted by the Army on Jun 1943 making it plausiable that the engine was produced about a month before the assembly and final inspection. I feel generally confident that the 307XXX number is valid.
Wisconsin Engine Serial Number Tag
I ended up buying a blue spraypaint VE4 data tag from ebay. It took me several hours to clean it up. I will try filling in the old SN with some JB weld and try to stamp the WW2 SN over it. I'm not sure if the JB will flake off , but if it does I can carefully refill leaving the new stamps visible. We'll see how this works. After a few blank stamps on sheet metal. I need to practice a bit more, but the font and size matches fairly well. I'm using a 1940s Power Stamp hand stamping kit. Once the JB Weld dries tommorrow I will use an antique nickle paint to touch up the boss and see what we get.
Sheet Metal
Several more parts to blst, prime and paint, but making progress.
