Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

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Cat Man
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Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Post 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
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Barry Churcher
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Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Post by Barry Churcher »

There is only one word for that baby. WOW.
Thanks for sharing that Cat Man.
Barry
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Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Post by Bill_Wolf »

i agree with Barry.

Amazing!

Thanks for reporting on that Jeff
1945 GMC DUKW
1942 Chevy 125 Crash Truck from Dow AAFB,
1944 Chevy 325 Fire Truck
1942 WC-54 Ambulance
1944 M29C Weasel (x6)
1945 CCKW 353 A2 Open Cab "Air-portable"
1943 M5 High Speed Tractor
1942 Sperry Searchlight setup with GE Generator
1942 M-1 Fruehauf Searchlight Trailer (G221)
1942 M-17 Fruehauf Quad 50 Trailer (G221)
1942 M-10 Ammo Trailer (x3)
194? Steel Ben Hur (x4) 194? Wood Ben Hur (x2)
1945 Case VAIW-3 Aircraft Tug
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John V Cliche
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Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Post 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
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KEVINABR
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Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Post by KEVINABR »

Fantastic pictures superb trucks 8) 8)
1941 GMC 352 A1 Cargo 29595
1942 GMC 353 F2 Workshop 102620 ST6 Type M18 Electrical Repair
1942 GMC 353 B2 Cargo
1942 Ben Hur 1ton Wooden Cargo Trailer
1942 Chevrolet G506 G7113 Tractor 1NK 245837
1944 5ton The Trailer Company of America, Stake and Platform Semi Trailer
1943 Dodge WC63 6x6 82035401
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Re: Restored complete CCKW K53 Weather Station

Post by brian »

posted these a couple years ago.
thot I had a pic of the outside, but I dont find it.
Image

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
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