My New M56B1 Contact Maintance Truck

[txm37]

Thought I would post up some pics of my new to me M56B1 Contact Maintenance truck. I actually picked up the truck in January and have been sitting on it till I had the time to start on it. The pics can be deceiving. There is almost 0 rust on it and none under it. In fact the original paint and undercoating under the truck are in good condition. After I power washed the body it became obvious why its so clean and rust free. Almost all of the original stenciling came out. The truck originally came from the White Sands Missile Range. Yes that was the stenciling WSMR. Instead of the usual star on the doors it read "contractor operated"
vehicle
LTV / LANCE WSMR NV

Deciphered It was assigned to the LTV corporation for work on the Lance missile system at White Sands. There is amazingly only two coats of paint on the truck and the stenciling was the same on both. Also the generator/welder has its own number on these trucks. That's the other bumper number on this truck. The motor turned freely so a rigged fuel supply and a jump from my M37 and it started right up. If actually runs smoother than my M37.

Currently I'm in the process of tearing it down and prepping it for paint. The brakes have been completely rebuilt and the motor pulled to be detailed with new gaskets the seals. It isn't leaking now but I know those old seals will give so easier to just do it now. I'll keep posting up the progress on the truck as I get things done on it.

 

[txm37]

Here are a few more pics.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Wonderful find. Not many that nice left.

 

[Monkeyboyarmy]

I think I'm liking that. Great find.

 

[Trailboss]

Very cool! Can you tell if it had the doors above the tailgate like the later versions?

 

[T. Highway]

That is an excellent find, looks to be in really good shape also. Can you post some close up pictures of the spotlight?

Bert

 

[Storm 51]

Very nice find and in wonderful condition. It will be fun to watch your progress.

I look forward to your photos.

 

[txm37]

It doesn't have the upper doors. I did a little research and from what I found the earlier CMU-3 sets like this one had a canvas rear cover.

 

[txm37]

That is an excellent find, looks to be in really good shape also. Can you post some close up pictures of the spotlight?

Bert

Herr are a couple pics of the spotlight. Sorry its taken a while its been raining non stop and I'm just now getting back to it.

 

[txm37]

Thought I'd throw a couple pics up of the progress so far.

 

[CARNAC]

Looks good.

There is another one of those on I-20 in the Trent, TX vicinity on north side of interstate. It is painted yellow. I posted some pictures of it about a 2 years ago in a thread about the owner wanting to sell it. I passed by there last month and it was still there. It had a winch on the front also. https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Tr...ce20c2a21a6ea9!2m2!1d-100.126488!2d32.4895646

 

[T. Highway]

Spotlight question.

Is there a bushing inside of the top cross tube or do they rely on a simple cross cut to bind it up? Nice progress so far.

Bert

 

[txm37]

Spotlight question.

Is there a bushing inside of the top cross tube or do they rely on a simple cross cut to bind it up? Nice progress so far.

Bert

I didn't see a bushing in it. Its actually cross cut in a + pattern.

 

[T. Highway]

Thanks,

Then I am headed down the right path with my reproduction mount.

Bert

 

[txm37]

Thanks,

Then I am headed down the right path with my reproduction mount.

Bert

No problem. I was going to do the same thing and make one for my M37/42. I already have two complete spotlights (less the mount). They just need bulbs. Let me know if you need a pic of a certain spot or anything.