SignalNco
Member
- 103
- 0
- 16
- Location
- Winchester, VA
Greetings to everyone here on Steel Soldiers. I am in the Winchester area of Virginia. I actually joined a few weeks ago and made a posting in “What did you do to your Deuce today”, but have not formally made an introduction. I have been around military vehicles for the past few years as an extra driver here in my AO with a local group of enthusiasts. Driving is nice, but I was bitin by the bug and started casually looking for a vehicle of my own. Both of my boys are in the Young Marines and I also wanted something to use when they are in parades, attending events for veterans, and to help with hauling the units gear to encampments, etc.
While at an event last month at the VA center in Martinsburg, WV, one of the other RA’s (registered adults) who has an impeccable 5-ton told me about a listing in the classifieds on Steel Soldiers for a 1987 M35A2C. I checked it out and it seemed to be what I was looking for in a price range I could afford. What really made it better for me was that it came with a M105A2 trailer and quite a few spare parts. I called the owner and made arrangements to travel to Richmond and check it out (I will post more about this). Needless to say a deal was struck and I was ready to bring it home.
What will be really special to long time members here on Steel Soldiers is that it belonged to a former SS member, Ethan Alexander aka,builder77. His Father (builder77sdad), who I bought the Deuce from is a member here on Steel Soldiers. I have gone back and read many of the postings from Ethan and the kind words that were conveyed here on the SS website about Ethan when he passed. I can only say that I wish I could have known him as some of you did.
I plan on taking up where Ethan and his Dad left off on the project and will dedicate the truck to the memory of Ethan. Would really like to hear from any of you who knew Ethan.
I do plan on making another post about the move with a few pictures and will make posts about my progress on Ethan’s Deuce aided by my 2 Young Marine mechanics.
More to follow...............
While at an event last month at the VA center in Martinsburg, WV, one of the other RA’s (registered adults) who has an impeccable 5-ton told me about a listing in the classifieds on Steel Soldiers for a 1987 M35A2C. I checked it out and it seemed to be what I was looking for in a price range I could afford. What really made it better for me was that it came with a M105A2 trailer and quite a few spare parts. I called the owner and made arrangements to travel to Richmond and check it out (I will post more about this). Needless to say a deal was struck and I was ready to bring it home.
What will be really special to long time members here on Steel Soldiers is that it belonged to a former SS member, Ethan Alexander aka,builder77. His Father (builder77sdad), who I bought the Deuce from is a member here on Steel Soldiers. I have gone back and read many of the postings from Ethan and the kind words that were conveyed here on the SS website about Ethan when he passed. I can only say that I wish I could have known him as some of you did.
I plan on taking up where Ethan and his Dad left off on the project and will dedicate the truck to the memory of Ethan. Would really like to hear from any of you who knew Ethan.
I do plan on making another post about the move with a few pictures and will make posts about my progress on Ethan’s Deuce aided by my 2 Young Marine mechanics.
More to follow...............
who is only 15 miles south of me in Front Royal. I buy most of my auto parts at the NAPA in Front Royal. I don't think I will get everything done to my deuce I wanted to this weekend. I went with my 2 boys and the Young Marines to help lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery and today is their "drill" where the boys will be having a class about winter survival. I did get the old, torn up cargo cover off yesterday and put on a nice NOS canvas cover. The deuce did come with a NOS vinyl cover which I really wanted to put on, but when we unfolded it in the back yard we found that some of the seams in the top part of the cover had come apart. Don't know if there is a way to repair that, but I will look and see if anyone has already attempted that. Looks like I am going to have to get a new cab cover too. Like I mentioned before, I will post a few pictures of the move and what I found when I initially went to look at the truck. Everyone take care and have a great weekend.
