The final countdown....

Well, in a fit of pre-first show energy, a quick visit to 326 this afternoon to do a few jobs...

Ever since I got 326, the passenger side of the cab has an empty, forlorn looking modern fire extinguisher bracket bolted to it. Checking the Fresco kit list on RSOLES, it confirmed that this was a 2kg (probably dry powder) extinguisher. Thinking that carrying a working extinguisher was probably a good idea, a quick search on eBay resulted in a suitable replacement which is now fitted:

I also fitted an empty vintage extinguisher to the underside of the crew bench at the back of the cab, date-stamped 1959, so very green goddess era!

A box of parts arrived from Rhys in sunny west Wales today - a few bits to further complete the work on 326. It's all original GG spares, so it's in the 1950s / 1960s paper packaging! A joy to behold and almost a shame to unwrap....

There's a replacement part loom that runs from the original regulator position under the bonnet to the cab near the drivers seat. The insulation on the original is getting crunchy so I'll try this - it might be as crunchy or not!

 There's also the pump dials for the rear as the paint is flaking on mine after over five decades:

 Also, as a bonus, there was an original pump operating instruction book and a replacement glove compartment knob!

Rock on Sunday and the Belvoir Castle Steam Festival and Country Fair!!

Because you're gorgeous.....

Well, 326 returned from it's hols in Shropshire yesterday and what a difference! The guys at Fire Engine Services have done a super job! Such a nice drive home, much more pleasant to drive! I sat at 40 but my foot was a lot further off the floor than previously, I did have a quick push to 45 with no dramas.

So what's been done? The brakes have been rebuilt (only one was fully working!) and the fluid changed, also the clutch was replaced and then the underside was blasted clean and sealed:

The front wings and cheek panels were also repainted but not before they were stripped and the corrosion removed before priming. The joints between the wings and cheeks were sealed before painting for good measure.

Once back today, I polished the newly-painted bits and then began the massive job of t-cutting then polishing the rest! Well, having started at 11, I knocked off at 7.30 with the right hand aside behind the cab still to do! There's always tomorrow I guess..... I then refitted the badge and also a transfer with the old Branston fleet number on (G57):

I also managed today to fit the new tax disc holder - a stuck-to-the-windscreen just didn't seem right, so now there is a 'much more commercial vehicle' style holder inside on the windscreen pillar:

The roof was also stripped and recovered whilst it was away, with all the components repainted:

Anyway, the results of today's polishing session.....

The polish I used  - Collinite 476s Super Doublecoat Wax - was made in the USA and styles itself as detergent proof (so make sure you it's the last thing you do to the paintwork!!) and lasting a year. We'll see, but really, really easy to put on and leaves a great shine!