Readying for the KW

[kshansen]

Crazy story my Dad and Uncle spoke of, Ex Navy boys. On the way home from Pacific Theater were on 'Jeep' Carriers, used to shuttle more replacement planes during the war to the large carriers, they were being used for materials transport Back as unused munitions, trucks, tanks, tractors, cranes even aircraft. Every truck was loaded to the hilt moved to flight deck started and then one guy would put in gear start it down the deck and step out, POOF, off the deck would go and sink immediately, other machines were just pushed off, bombs and shells were dumped. Carriers came into West Coast ports EMPTY. FDRs big concern was all the returning equipment would shut down the auto and aviation industry if allowed to be sold at discounts to the public.

Late to reading this but seems like the same stories I heard from a guy I worked with many years ago but this was from a latter time might have been the 1970's or early 1980's. Seems it was after the Vietnam War he was on a carrier and talked about them firing up Dozers and other equipment and letting them drive off the deck.

 

[DMiller]

All too regular a occurrence.

 

[56wrench]

apparently the oilfield has done that in the arctic too- just pushed stuff off barges, what a waste. i understand why but that doesn't make it right

 

[DMiller]

Just a side note.
The Uncle that told me that and others, turned 94 this morning. He also spent yesterday in hospital as they found a previously repaired aneurism on his aorta has ruptured. He is hours to days away from bleeding out internally with no way to repair, at his age.

 

[Spud_Monkey]

Just a side note.
The Uncle that told me that and others, turned 94 this morning. He also spent yesterday in hospital as they found a previously repaired aneurism on his aorta has ruptured. He is hours to days away from bleeding out internally with no way to repair, at his age.

At least he lived the good life from what I gather.

 

[DMiller]

Survived US NAVAIR WWII Pacific in PB4Ys returned to get edjumacated as a A&E Mechanic where worked with his brother my own Dad for years at Slick Airways until bought up by Flying Tigers. He moved to NY then CA then AK as a Aircraft Mechanic, dad worked CA, KC, STL after Slick and as a grunt mechanic walked across the tarmac at Lambert Airfield applied and went to work at McDonnell Aircraft worked up into project manager, Uncle did similar and walked across the flight lines to KLM Airlines offices ended up a mid level Manager at Anchorage. Hunted with him on the scrub oak out on the Tundra, been in or around his life nearly all of mine. Been divorced three times, current wife is two years older than his oldest daughter, handful of his own kids, adopted kids from his remarries, always worked two to three jobs trying to keep head above water until retired. Worked part time after that on the Bush Airlines out of Anchorage Airport still flying the old Douglas DC6s, some of the old amphibious float planes and snow ski wearers. Moved first to Bend OR late 90s, shifted to Coeur d'Alene about eighteen years back, been there since, his wife Terry's folks and family live(d) in Kalispell MT, her oldest boy died a few years ago, her other son also lives CdA. 94 years, smart as a whip and sharp in thoughts, just his body has said enough. My cousins in UT are his children, has DOZENS of Grands and great grands UT, ID, CA and AK.

 

[Old Doug]

Just a side note.
The Uncle that told me that and others, turned 94 this morning. He also spent yesterday in hospital as they found a previously repaired aneurism on his aorta has ruptured. He is hours to days away from bleeding out internally with no way to repair, at his age.

Sorry to hear this. I was born with a aorta problem had it repaired when i was 9 but it sounds like it will be what gets me some day.

 

[Truck Shop]

Sorry to hear about that DM.

 

[DB2]

Yes. Life is never easy. Remember the times you had and enjoyed together.
94 is a good run.

 

[Willie B]

My father would be 98 now. He was drafted in January 1942, two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He, at 20 YOA dumped the family farm, took a big financial loss. He spent 4 years as Army Air Corp Aircraft Mechanic/ flight engineer. Later, he enlisted for Korean Conflict.

A google search of Arthur Beauregard brings a picture of a skinny kid changing an engine on a bomber.

 

[Old Doug]

Not a W300. Here's my Dodge Power wagon:


View attachment 229280


1956 C4. First year for double frame 9500 LB option. Syncro trans. This one was & is free of rust outs, but had thousands of small dents.

This is a Dodge i think before Power Wagon 1941. I put a running engine in it in the 80s and never star ted it. I thought about a diffrent running gears but to many other things to work on. This one also has a double frame

 

[hvy 1ton]

Late to reading this but seems like the same stories I heard from a guy I worked with many years ago but this was from a latter time might have been the 1970's or early 1980's. Seems it was after the Vietnam War he was on a carrier and talked about them firing up Dozers and other equipment and letting them drive off the deck.

Dad had pictures of UH-1s getting pushed off the deck of USS Tripoli to make room for more to land. The WC54 ambulance survived the 'room-making' can't have the doc without wheels when they make port.

 

[Willie B]

This is a Dodge i think before Power Wagon 1941. I put a running engine in it in the 80s and never starView attachment 230167 ted it. I thought about a diffrent running gears but to many other things to work on. This one also has a double frameView attachment 230172

These were early WWII production. They were rated as a half ton. They had a 216 flat head 6, and 1 speed transfer case.
Even earlier in war production, I think 1938 or 1939, Dodge built civilian trucks with Ford axles 4 wheel drive. I once knew a fellow had 2. As I recall they were both 2? ton duallies.

 

[Mother Deuce]

This is a Dodge i think before Power Wagon 1941. I put a running engine in it in the 80s and never starView attachment 230167 ted it. I thought about a diffrent running gears but to many other things to work on. This one also has a double frameView attachment 230172

Cool piece! You should put a little heat in her... turning a little gasoline to smoke would be interesting.

 

[Mother Deuce]

Survived US NAVAIR WWII Pacific in PB4Ys returned to get edjumacated as a A&E Mechanic where worked with his brother my own Dad for years at Slick Airways until bought up by Flying Tigers. He moved to NY then CA then AK as a Aircraft Mechanic, dad worked CA, KC, STL after Slick and as a grunt mechanic walked across the tarmac at Lambert Airfield applied and went to work at McDonnell Aircraft worked up into project manager, Uncle did similar and walked across the flight lines to KLM Airlines offices ended up a mid level Manager at Anchorage. Hunted with him on the scrub oak out on the Tundra, been in or around his life nearly all of mine. Been divorced three times, current wife is two years older than his oldest daughter, handful of his own kids, adopted kids from his remarries, always worked two to three jobs trying to keep head above water until retired. Worked part time after that on the Bush Airlines out of Anchorage Airport still flying the old Douglas DC6s, some of the old amphibious float planes and snow ski wearers. Moved first to Bend OR late 90s, shifted to Coeur d'Alene about eighteen years back, been there since, his wife Terry's folks and family live(d) in Kalispell MT, her oldest boy died a few years ago, her other son also lives CdA. 94 years, smart as a whip and sharp in thoughts, just his body has said enough. My cousins in UT are his children, has DOZENS of Grands and great grands UT, ID, CA and AK.

Sorry to read of his health issue. Sounds like a very well versed guy. Hang in there Dave...

 

[DMiller]

Thanks all for the thoughts. He has made his peace with his demons as I have spoken to Terry(Correct Spelling and Female) where she stated such. She is feeling lost as will be without him first time in close to 30 years, she intends to stay in CdA but sell their home and move to a simpler life in a Condo, his directions as a final wish.

 

[old-iron-habit]

Late to reading this but seems like the same stories I heard from a guy I worked with many years ago but this was from a latter time might have been the 1970's or early 1980's. Seems it was after the Vietnam War he was on a carrier and talked about them firing up Dozers and other equipment and letting them drive off the deck.

My oldest brother was in the Air Force stationed on a icy rock in the Bering Sea when they closed down the DEW line radar base he was on. About 1971 or so. The last thing they did after destroying all the under ice shelters and totally disabling the radar dome is walk a Cat D7 and Cat grader off the ice into a watery death. He said both were like new still with hardly no hours on them.

 

[DMiller]

My own that died at 43 was on the Dew Line at Cape Newenham, his relief ended up performing SAME Task. Had a Dozer for Fire Control(Push on fire building segment away from others) and a grader for runway.

 

[DB2]

Machines sent to a watery grave full of fluids no less.
And today there’s an almost criminal investigation if you spill a quart of oil especially near a waterway.

Funny how things have changed.

 

[DMiller]

Just off phone with JY, has had one of those back of the neck nagging feelings of the haul truck where feels not good to use, spoke to anther buddy and got a different truck. HAD to be tomorrow as has to go to TX for work Monday and did not have Sunday to get it done, only the truck/trailer is smaller and can only manage ONE of the return trucks. SO, I went to the barn pinned up the Goose and have that ready if he wishes after gets here to haul one of them back with him for him. He has had more than share of Sh!t getting this done, have to cut some slack somewhere.