Mobile locksmith shop, shelter conversion

[DDW]

NSN: 5411-00-752-9698
Cost: @ $3,900.00
Manufacturer: Radio Engineering Products, (or could be the firm that overhauled it the first time)
TM's TM11-5410-205-12P, -35P, -14

That's about all I could find. The van is much older then the NSN would lead you to believe. It looks like one of the ones I found in the net, from the 50's. It has been upgraded at least 3 times, hence, the NSN. In the 50's, there was no NSN, just Stock Numbers, (less the -00-) As the original Data plate is not there, due to loss, or when it was up graded, it got a new data plate. The NSN was issued to the van on 1-Jan-1962.

Thanks that is very helpful.

Thanks everyone here for your help in this shelter.

 

[DDW]

What a beast! I spent all day getting this in my truck, with no assistance.






Recapp:

After rebuilding a; insulated, "communications slide in shelter", made for the Army, from the 1950's, which took several weeks to complete the process. I completely gutting out the old communication hardware, recycling 70% of the old hardware, electrical, lights, fabricating everything by hand, new lock mechanism, new 20,000 heater, a new latch mechanism, hand installing 60 nut inserts, two sheets of aluminum, and hand installing 575 rivets, not to mention the truck preparations.


Finally I got this "slide in locksmith shop" in the truck, what a lot of work. I spent all day getting this mobile workshop in the truck. It's tough when you have to do this by yourself, and this is not a lightweight. I had a lot of blocks, chains, you name it to get this into the bed of the truck.


I have 115 volts, 12 volts, heater hoses from the truck, just to work inside comfortably. It's really a professionally built shop, and it is awesome.

 

[DDW]

Some finished work inside, the heater setup, some decorations, now I need to put my tools inside.

 

[DDW]

More photos:



As you can see it's awesome! The insulation and heater keep it warm. Everything has a place.

 

[DDW]

More photos:



So you can see how I have everything set up in the back. The door lock, deadbolt are my fabrication, as well as everything else on this project. I made sure everything is water tight, sealed, and its a really cool shop.

 

[DDW]

This is what 40 years locksmithing, safe work, fabricating will do to someone. By the time I figure it out I'm old.

 

[Wire Fox]

More photos:

View attachment 758724View attachment 758725View attachment 758726

So you can see how I have everything set up in the back. The door lock, deadbolt are my fabrication, as well as everything else on this project. I made sure everything is water tight, sealed, and its a really cool shop.

I've gotta ask...why is that extension cord pulled so tight? I'm worried that thing might wear out and short on you.

EDIT: Not fair to just nitpick the little thing without checking out the whole project. I just finished reading your build thread and I've gotta say that you've made a really top-notch mobile workshop out of that shelter! Make sure you take care to protect those cables so that you don't have any unfortunately surprises and I imagine you're going to be rolling around Alaska in the coolest locksmith setup there is.

 

[DDW]

Thanks, I've got that on my list, and it is a concern to get it done ASAP. I've got a special electrical plug coming in, it's watertight, and then I'll fix the issue.

 

[doghead]

Thanks for posting this.

I really like to see how people re-use surplus equipment

You did a great job!

 

[cucvmule]

I was following along and missed if you posted how much the unit weighed? Looks like a few different skills have been used in the fabrication of the mobile shop. Looks great! I really like the sign, but I bet a lot of clients are glad to see you. Does it have a coffee maker?

Now a cup of coffee would be nice to have when you show up, in Alaska.

 

[DDW]

I was following along and missed if you posted how much the unit weighed? Looks like a few different skills have been used in the fabrication of the mobile shop. Looks great! I really like the sign, but I bet a lot of clients are glad to see you. Does it have a coffee maker?

Now a cup of coffee would be nice to have when you show up, in Alaska.

It was lightened up a lot when I gutted it out, I was able to move it with ease. The parts that I removed, really weighed a ton, then after I reassembled it with the filler plates, electrial, I still could lift a corner up by myself.

 

[Tinstar]

Looks like the tailgate will close just fine if it were reinstalled.
Any plans to do that?
I see the license plate attached to shelter so I assume not.

The setup looks really good.
Very well thought out.

 

[DDW]

Looks like the tailgate will close just fine if it were reinstalled.
Any plans to do that?
I see the license plate attached to shelter so I assume not.

The setup looks really good.
Very well thought out.

Thanks

The tailgate was removed permanently, it's easier to climb inside the workshop than having a tailgate to hinder me. l thought about it and couldn't justify keeping it.

I used nut inserts for a lot of things like the license plate, I used the nut inserts instead of regular nuts, a lot of the fabricating required nut inserts. I used almost 600 pop rivets, which makes everything look professional, and will last another 60+ years.

And it stays comfortable when its freezing outside.

 

[DDW]

I've got the new 115V plug in the mail, found some extra extension cord length to make it safe.

What I've learned from looking at other shelters is the door configuration is unique on mine. I don't see much offset doors with the out swing half doors. Maybe it's a key to the true manufacturer identification?




See the unique door offset.

This actually gives me more room.







The original configuration.




It's really to bad the original manufacturer has been removed.

 

[Tinstar]

One thing about the S-250/S-280 shelters, rarely do you see two that are identical to each other.

 

[DDW]

One thing about the S-250/S-280 shelters, rarely do you see two that are identical to each other.

Wow, sounds like that they were unique at that time in history.

 

[Guyfang]

We had a lot of them in Air Defense. And truly, no two were alike. Our UHF van, only had a half door. The bottom part, would not open. It was one solid piece across the bottom.

 

[DDW]

It's definitely unique, and well made. I'm pleased to have it, using it for a mobile workshop.

 

[Tinstar]

My S-280 is extremely well made.
Would love to have about 10 more.

They will last a lifetime when taken care of.

 

[DDW]

My S-280 is extremely well made.
Would love to have about 10 more.
They will last a lifetime when taken care of.

While in my possession it will be taken care of, it's a important tool for my locksmith company. I don't think it's going anywhere as long as I'm above ground.