New guy introduction!

russcal · Post by **russcal** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:27 pm

Hello, y'all!

My name is Russ, I live in Westchester, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. I'm 42 years young, soon to be a FAA certificated airplane mechanic and a brand spankin new XM152 owner!

I've been considering buying an old military vehicle for quite a number of years now, and after almost getting a M37 with "alien" engine in it, noticed a M43 on eBay. The price was right, the condition was great, and it wasn't other side of the country from me. I won the bidding and the gentleman I bought it from was very generous in storing the vehicle for me until I could get it done to L.A. I finished school and now was the time to get my rig.

I made arrangements to have it shipped by trailer, and it arrived Thursday of this week. I drove it off the trailer and into my driveway... it runs like a champ! Started going over it, making a running list of things to do and parts to watch out for.

It was advertised as an ex-Air Force M43, and, as a Army vet, I was considering restoring it as an Army meatwagon. I was a Military Policeman in the late 80's early 90's and couldn't picture myself really going with a "wingnut" finish to my vehicle.

I noticed various spots of "Strata" blue showing thru and thought "'That's not really a half-bad looking color'". I figured I could go either way: back to USAF blue or do ARMY green. I noticed that there was hole in the roof for a spotlight, no repair of a hole, absolutely no sign of a hole.

The exterior and interior had been sprayed over with black paint, and at some point, someone had taken a disc grinder to the I.D. plate to uncover the serial number for registration and licensing. I pulled off the glove compartment lid to take into the house for further investigation.

First line of ID plate started off with "Truck, ______, Utility______". That isn't right, an ambulance wouldn't be labelled as a utility anything. Some careful work with paint thinner and study under bright light revealed that the full nomenclature is; "Truck, Panel, Utility, 3/4 ton, 4 x 4, XM152". The Weight and Dimesion plate says the same thing.

So, to make a long story short (er), I have one of the 145 XM152 Panel Trucks that the USAF purchased. I aim to restore the truck back to what it looked like during it's time in service.

Thanx for reading and I hope to learn a lot here.

Russ

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:47 am

Welcome to the forum and congrats on obtaining the truck. As a retired "wingnut," I'm glad you discovered the truth about your rig and plan to put it back into the "correct uniform."

Good luck on the restoration and, by all means, show us some pictures!

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:22 am

Does your truck have the row of wondows with what appears to be some isort of screen over them, along the top of the saide panels? That's one way to tell its an Xm152 if I'm not mistaken.

russcal · Post by **russcal** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:19 pm

Hiya, y'all!

Lifer: thanx for the welcome! If I read my references correctly, there was a total of 149 XM152's built; that makes it definately worth restoration! I'll post some pictures once I figure my camera out.

Nickathome: my rig looks like any other M43 with two exceptions. It has no spotlight (or hole for same) in the roof above the cab (first thing I noticed about it); and the ID plate and W & D plate both say "Truck, Panel, Utility, 3/4 ton 4 x 4, XM152". The only reference I have that really says anything about 152's, "The Production Story" (about the M37 series) by John Zentmyer, states that only the 5 pilot vehicles had side windows and single rear doors, other than the entire Canadian run. The actual US run all went to the USAF, all had double rear doors (like the ambulance), and had windowless box sides (like the ambulance). Interior of box is gutted of brackets and such, but does have two small ceiling lamps. I'll have to study a TM to see if its missing anything else in box.

Russ

HingsingM37 · Post by **HingsingM37** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:18 am

Welcome aboard Russ! There is alot of useful information and conversation here. Congrats on getting your A&P license. I always wanted to do that as my other love is vintage aircraft. I am involved with the M.A.P.S Air museum here in Ohio. See www.mapsairmuseum.org .(a shameless plug LOL)Enjoy your new rig

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:50 am

Well my question to you on the other post was answered here, Russcal-again, welcome aboard! You've got neighbors down in your neck of the woods who are regulars here, so help (and some parts!) may be close by.
Gary

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:00 am

russcal wrote:Hiya, y'all!

Nickathome: my rig looks like any other M43 with two exceptions. It has no spotlight (or hole for same) in the roof above the cab (first thing I noticed about it); and the ID plate and W & D plate both say "Truck, Panel, Utility, 3/4 ton 4 x 4, XM152". The only reference I have that really says anything about 152's, "The Production Story" (about the M37 series) by John Zentmyer, states that only the 5 pilot vehicles had side windows and single rear doors, other than the entire Canadian run. The actual US run all went to the USAF, all had double rear doors (like the ambulance), and had windowless box sides (like the ambulance). Interior of box is gutted of brackets and such, but does have two small ceiling lamps. I'll have to study a TM to see if its missing anything else in box.

Russ

Ahh got it. I admit to not being real versed in that type of vehicle. I thought they all had those side windows.

russcal · Post by **russcal** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:20 am

Hiya, y'all!

Thanx again for the info!

HingSingM37, IMPRESSIVE museum there! I hope to eventually get to a museum or collection myself, after I gain a little practical experience. Older planes are just SO much more interesting than newer craft! I can recognize a PT-19 vs a XB-19 vs a Hughes 369, but had not ever actually laid hands on one til I started school! However, I wouldn't be adverse to something more "groundbased" like the Littlefield Collection! Yes, I'm a closet "treadhead".

Russ

HingsingM37 · Post by **HingsingM37** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:26 am

Russ, Thanks. When I started there we had a couple planes in a maintenace shed heated with torpedo heaters. Then CAK donated the old Ohio ANG hanger to us and we thought "What are we going to put in here?". I never thought we would see the day when we would need a second hanger! It's been a long, hard stuggle.

I got into MV's because I knew I would never have my own B17 or P40. So I bought my M37. I added a little aviation flair with my seat box patch using #4 roundhead rivets

Enjoy your truck!

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:17 am

Welcome Russ Congragulations on getting your A&P. Sounds like you got into a cool truck. They are really fun to own and work on. One thing I like is that unlike a car you can unbolt just about everything so it makes it really easy to get to things. Lots of great people are on this forum that will help out when you need it.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:19 am

Hey, Russ! Being the old airplane lover that you are (and as I am), you'd love to visit Old Windham Aerodrome near London, England. I visited it twice for their annual air show during my stint at RAF Uxbridge and loved every minute of it. They "specialize" in WWI (that's right, "The Great War") aircraft and have several Sopwith Camels, Spads, Bleriots, Fokkers, and such like, all in flying condition. There are also a few civilian planes of the era, and an interesting display of operating scale model aircraft engines, including a 1:12 replica of a 12-cylinder Pratt & Whitney radial.