Timber question?!

LITTLEWOOD · Post by **LITTLEWOOD** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:34 pm

I've just bough a 353, its missing the uprights for the canvas top, can some one let me know what size these should be and the timber that would have been used originally. Thanks James

KEVINABR · Post by **KEVINABR** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:47 pm

hi james i had to replace my timber too
will post sizes i used tomorrow
regards kevin

Hammerhead · Post by **Hammerhead** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:14 pm

Hi james,
When I was restoring my CCKW 5 years ago, we sandblasted the wood seats, rails and top-bows. I swear it looked like California Redwood. Does anyone know what wood was actually used? Hammerhead

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:17 pm

I posted the materials under Wood Cargo Body a couple years ago. I can do it again when there is time.

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:20 pm

Hardwoods as per gov't spec
ASH or OAK in my opinion are the best but ELM, MAPLE, and others were accepted

Hope this helps
John

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:39 pm

Permissible Bow Stave Wood

Ash
Beech Birch, Yellow
Elm, rock
Hickory, true
Locust, black
Maple, hard
Oak, white
Oak, red
Pecan

I used to eat lunch with the owner of Evans Lumber Co. in Bangor, a specialty lumber dealer.
During WWII he worked as Government Inspector selecting and grading wood sold to US Gov't and Canadian Aircraft Industry. He supervised the wood used in construction of the Mosquito Fighter Aircraft in Canada.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:42 pm

Mr Evans was also involved in inspection of Wood Cargo Bodies, axe and shovel handles, etc. The factory Representative ofor Slil Saw used to join us. He was missing some fingers.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:05 am

Wow, he was a busy man. Great historical info. Thanks.

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:24 am

Yes, he was busy, as wood was a very important war material, more than just a material for wartime crates and barracks.

You were an Instructor Pilot at Ft Rucker during your long Army career, and "flew everything in the inventory", perhaps you could explain how important wood was to Rotary Winged Aircraft during your era, the readers may be surprised to learn where it was used.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:40 pm

Thank you for your interest in my past Joel, that is flattering. I prefer to stick to CCKW's on this site. Thanks again though. Have a really fun day.

LITTLEWOOD · Post by **LITTLEWOOD** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:21 pm

Thanks guys. Kevin I look forward to receiving those sizes, what timber did you use? Thanks James

joel gopan · Post by **joel gopan** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:02 am

For those of you that are curious about the wood used on Helicopters.
The Main Rotor Blades of those early helicopters used Balsa Wood. It was laminated inside the blade to form the airfoil. The H-13 (MASH) and H-23 series used by the Army in the 40s-70s had this. This feature was most always a topic of ones initial classroom introduction to basic Military helicopters and would make one think twice.
What is amazing is that if somehow the helicopter were lifted by the blade tips, they would break off, but when spinning the overall combination of blades and the laws of physics worked like magic.