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Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:46 pm
by Cat Man
We just returned from the MVPA summer convention in Topeka Kansas. I walked in the door and a someone grabbed me and said come on, you gotta see this CCKW!

They were right. Fred LaPerriere of Sedalia Colorado owns this absolutly complete and operational K53D Mobile Weather Station on a 1942 closed cab CCKW. 353-128601-2

Fred first saw this truck when he was 6 years old in 1949. It was obtained from government service and operated by the Denver Reseach Institute and sat on Mt Evans CO. The weather instruments were removed and put into a permanent wood frame weather station that later burned.

The truck turned up in 1961 behind the lab on the Denver University campus and then again many many years later being used as a crew vehicle on the bombing range at Lawery Airfield. Fred eventually purchased it (empty) and vandalized with a number of bullet holes. It has 1820 ORIGINAL MILES on the Speedo.

He spent the next 20 years collecting the weather instruments and equipment. Finding the manual was the best part because it includes detailed dimensions and description of the the interior of the van. Another 5 years to restore it.
The cabinets are packed with an increadable inventory of equipment. Only a few small manuals are missing. It carries its original Army Weather Service (AWS) 2060th Mobile Weather Squadron unit markings.

This is the most complete and unusual CCKW I've ever seen.

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The last photo is Fred L as the proud owned of this great display.

It made my day,
Cat Man

Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:58 pm
by Barry Churcher
There is only one word for that baby. WOW.
Thanks for sharing that Cat Man.
Barry

Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:06 pm
by Bill_Wolf
i agree with Barry.

Amazing!

Thanks for reporting on that Jeff

Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:46 am
by John V Cliche
Thanks for posting the pics Cat Man

Fred's display was incredible and was the "must see " attraction
He also won the "Judges Choice " award for his efforts, as well as "Gold" in the 2 1/2 ton "Restored " class.

All in all ,Fred made 4 trips to the podium at the awards banquet of the Topeka convention ( unfortunatly the catagories of his other 2 wins escape me at the moment :oops: )


John

Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:32 pm
by KEVINABR
Fantastic pictures superb trucks 8) 8)

Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:47 am
by brian
posted these a couple years ago.
thot I had a pic of the outside, but I dont find it.
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if you click on the pic and surf around theres more.
the big light shines a light on cloud cover so you can measure cieling hight with the theodolite.
fred still needs the radio reciever part for the weather baloon.
BB