1950s ex-HMAS Nirimba Thornycroft Nubian airport fire tender

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:42 am

SU pump reassembled and clattering away merrily (will only know if it is pumping fuel after the tank and filter clean is complete). Being on a "run" of success I have dissembled one of the wiper motors and it is now turning under power (just have to free up the end that moves the wiper in two directions), then there is the second wiper motor..........I know, simple things. In the course of investigation I came across a bank of fittings in a rear cupboard of the truck that looked somewhat familiar. After removing further panels they turn out to be greasing connections with a shitload of hard piping to transfer the grease to various items throughout the truck. I think a air powered grease gun is in order along with a bucket of general purpose grease.....

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:15 am

Work is continuing (slowly). I have been in contact with a gentleman in Darnum Victoria who has one of the two Albatross units (exchanged details and images). Regrettably his truck only has the cab with the firefighting rear missing from it. Mind you he started his truck today with little to no problems whilst it will be a while yet for the Nirimba unit to be started......

Seejay · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2020 7:24 am

I've been wondering how far you'd progressed, Brian. Pity you don't live in this area, would be happy to help refurbish the old girl. And that would add another project to my list of 999..... :lol1:

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:11 pm

"Stuff" is still happening, I always acknowledged that it would be a long restoration (but the only project I have). Actually, the foundations for the shed it will go into (so I can strip the skin off and rebuild/replace the timber frame for the cabin) are finished so (possibly) our next long sojourn down to the land will see the shed built then the cold move of the truck (into it).

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Thu Jul 02, 2020 1:48 am

Update: The shed to house the "old girl" is up and the sides sheeted (only the roof sheeting to go). Unfortunately the "old girl" is still out in the weather. Whilst we spent a large slice of time down on the land it took a little longer than anticipated to progress the shed build (4 metre columns looked much shorter laying on the ground and the 3 x two columns and 8 metres of rafter were a tad difficult to raise - but was achieved). I have been using an old pop top camper as a work platform (with the steps on top). I removed the instrument cluster off the steering column and have stripped it down, currently replacing a number of fritzed wires - well, after removing a large number of old mud wasps nests and deceased spiders from both the panel and from within the CAV light/ignition cluster. For the last two weeks have had an issue with my left elbow which has been diagnosed as a torn tendon so it is possible that there is going to be further delay but, hey, always expected it to be a long restoration action. Will post at some point in the future when further progress is made.

Seejay · **Posted:** Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:37 am

Brian, I have been wondering how the current situation has affected the projects plural. I know what you mean about the 4 metres horizontal versus vertical aspect - and the scariness that comes with it. :lol1:

sbjohns · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:05 pm

Seejay wrote:

Brian, I have been wondering how the current situation has affected the projects plural. I know what you mean about the 4 metres horizontal versus vertical aspect - and the scariness that comes with it. :lol1:

Aren't heights higher :poke:

as you get older??? :lol:

Pony · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:23 pm

Says he whose ladder slid down the wall in October last year (didn't fall off, rode it all the 4m to the ground :omg1:

) while tyring to eradicate a starlings next, and had screws put into a broken ankle that still required some further surgery a few week ago! :stupid:

??

Mick Thompson · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:29 pm

Pony, were the starlings startled by your rapid decline! :omg1:

Pony · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2020 9:01 pm

Unfortunately not at all Mick. :crybaby:

They managed to nest for another season! :pull hair:

Not sure when I will get them, but I will! :yess:

1950s ex-HMAS Nirimba Thornycroft Nubian airport fire tender

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