Northern Tracks Forum
General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: grfishmaker on February 18, 2008, 08:56:21 pm
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http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Picture108.jpg
Here's an old ashtray from the past for those of you who enjoy a little bombardier memorabilia. Anyone else have anything along this line?
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Sorry for having to re-post. I tried adding a few photos and ended up removing the whole topic. I'll try again later.
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http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/0526_50.jpg
Fresh off of the assembly line.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/BombarierB12.jpg
I see on one of the bombardier museum pages that this was called a "B1" and most went over to the UK.
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Great photo my man. I noticed that in the second photo that the cargo door is on the right & not on the left. When did they change that?
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I believe that it could be a special order. Most bombardiers han one cargo door, and some had two. Also, you could specify as to which side you wanted it on.
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Nice pictures, always interesting to look at items and photos like that.
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Yes, I enjoy the great history of these machines also. The one in the bottom picture sure allows easy access to the front suspension. It's like todays ski-doos', everything out in the open. The engineering has come in full circle. lol
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http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus7.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus1.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus10.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus5.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus2.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus3.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Bus4.jpg
Blast from the past. Nice old machine, great shape. Deserves a post on the site for everyone that enjoys a well kept machine.
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The following are a couple quotes from a book on Joseph Armand Bombardiers life.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/capture1019200483604_am.jpg
"By1930 he had built close to a dozen vehicles, using old Fords and Dodges and anything else he could lay his hands on."
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/capture1019200483118_am.jpg
"Armand worked persistently to improve the B7, adding three large wheels to each side in 1939. During the second World War, he produced the B7, which could only be sold to special permit holders. Production of the B7 ceased in 1944."
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http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/20070526103409.jpg
Although this has nothing to do with Bombardier, I had to add it as there where probably a few people trying various ideas.
This has to be a pretty original attempt to get around in the winter. I like his plywood fender he has installed. I would imagine that it took him approx. 20 feet to decide to add that feature.
I think we would have arms and legs like Popeye if we drove this around for a week or so. Hopefully he had a throttle control on the handles and not just on the motor; otherwise if you ever fell down, there goes your machine.
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grfishmaker you got too much time on your hands!!
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Grfishmaker & Houlio plus anyone else
I just got off a site called; ( http;//archives.cbc.ca/economy_business/manufacturing). Look over the site. I think under manufacturing and under business you should find a few old video clips about bombardiers & a couple about Mr. bombardier. Please let me know if you can't find it. Worked for me. Thanks.
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Grfishmaker I noticed in your reply # 8 that the little machine that's not a bombardier has a bar that looks like it's mounted to the center of the wheels. What would that be for.
Also in the second photo, @ the first of memorabilia do you know what model that is???
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Good question. And the answer is "I don't know". My guess is that pehaps all the tires were tied together as part of the suspension. Maybe the middle wheel was simply an idler wheel and used to just hold up the track for tension. Like I say, this is just a guess. You certainly analyze the photos closer than me. Next you will want to know what is inside the wooden barrel in the picture below. lol
As for the machine with the man with the brief case standing beside it......I believe that this was perhaps a special order military machine. The only reason I say this is that we have one (it has since been modified to resemble a regular wide gauge). I have seen a photo somewhere of three machines like this parked together along with some army jeeps, so that is why I say this. The bombardier like this came to our town (late 40's?) was an ex-military machine used up on the Dew Line. For a while, it had the back wooden body widened to fit even with the tracks and the front cab part was left as is, like a narrow gauge. Probably looked like a big woodtick. As I said, it has since been modified again to look like a regular wide gauge. My dad always used to call it an "extra wide gauge" for some reason, so I don't know if the special order military made machines were oddball or not. I will measure the old girl sometime this spring; now that you got me curious.
Hey, you guys up in Cranberry should know something about this old-style design. What do you think?Even photos of these seem to be few and far between. I'm sure that if the old girl could talk, she could probably tell some very interesting tales.
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Hey there OT I checked out the CBC site that you mentioned. Good find - there were some interesting video clips there. Thanks for passing on the information.
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Houlio, google in (old bombardier being used in NL.) Click on the second one down called snowmobile-mlu forum. Maybe you can tell the boys what the www. site is called. I can't get the d%#!* thing to work right.
Anyway when you get there scroll around & click on a few spots. There's a b2 I think it's called that over in Kubinka, Russia in their tank museum. It's canadian. The flag along side of it says so!
Lots of stuff to look @. Might find interesting.
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Old Trucker - Sounds like these boys are pretty focused on the military type vehicles, pretty interesting though. Did you try to send them a post to check out "Northern Tracks"? They might find the answers to some of their questions. Keep the links coming!
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Houlio, I half thought about that, but didn't do it. I will try & do that today. Do you know the name of the site to get on there? I can find it but I thought we'd make it eaiser for Grfishmaker to find it when he returns. Someone has to help that fellow out!!!(chuckle chuckle)
Oh!! Almost forgot Houlio, in your St. Brieux site I noticed in a couple of pics of the front inside floor area, it looks like the chassis has some 2x? on edge. I was wondering if that area is mostly wood???
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Here's a couple of the pictures of the old B12 in the museum in Kubinka, Russia.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/CarDatabaseNetPhotoID00005819.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/CarDatabaseNetPhotoID00005820.jpg
I notice that it has a cargo door on both sides with square windows. I find this interesting, as the old military machine that we have has the same type of cargo doors on both sides with the square windows. I always thought that they were added later in life, but perhaps they were factory stock after viewing these photos. It appears to be a metal machine, but I think it should be an old wooden body for that era. Something seems not right.
Good find OT.
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Here's a photo of a bombardier from sometime in the same area as the ones above.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what the projections behind the cargo door would be for?
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Snowmobile2.jpg
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Couple of bombardiers used in the military.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/2B12_lg.jpg
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Did you fellows see the bomber there that looked like it a large square looking funnel on top? If you did, did you take notice of what looked like a large tank (size of hot water tank,30-40gal.) across the back, behind the radiator. Looks like an extra large gas tank. Check it out.
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Here's the photo. It says it was taken at the Military Snowmobile (Bombardier) Manufacturing plant at Valcourt, Quebec in March, 1943.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/e000761188.jpg
Once again, I see the cargo doors with the square windows that they must have used for the military machines.
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Grfishmaker notice that the engine compartment doors hinge up & not ahead. See that tank i was talking about. I guess it would it be a large gas tank on account of being military. What do you think???
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Anyone like movies??? Look up www.imcdb.org Go to home page & click search. Scroll to search a vehicle & put (bombardier) in the make box & put( b-12) in the model box. then hit search. It's just some info about bomber movies.
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Grfishmaker in reply # 18 & 19 if you look in thru the windows of the machines in #19 it looks like Houlios is inside. In # 18 it sortta looks like wood inside with a metal skin outside.
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Looks like those mechanics are putting more grease in their hair then the wheel bearings! ;D
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Hey, Swamp Dawg: that was way back before your time. Lots of Brylcream on the go back then. Remember the old saying: a little dab will do ya!!! ha ha ha!!!!
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Below are a few pictures of the old military machine that I had mentioned earlier. It was originally up north somewhere on the DEW line and arrived here in Manitoba either back in the late 40's or more likely the early 50's. Originally, it was similar to the old machine I posted on page one; with fenders over the tracks (no body). When it first arrived, someone had widened the back area to come out even with the tracks. It still had the narrow cab with a wide body behind it and everyone that remembers it said it was quite a sight to see. And as you can see, it has evolved again to look a little more like the regular bombardiers of today. It was redone in the early 60's by my father and probably had approx. 20 miles put on it after that before it was stored away. When we went for our first ride we ended up bringing back a load of firewood; although that part was probably planned by my father (there are no free rides). For some reason, my father always called it an extra-wide gauge. It sat in an old garage here from the early 60's till 2004. When it was first put away, it was like new, all new wood, paint , redone motor, the works. Sometime over the years, the roof leaked and this is what it looks like today, although, it looks worse than it actually is. When you look inside, it's all like new, fresh paint and clean. There was still bark inside the cargo area from when we hauled wood with it some 40 years ago.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/November2005005.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/November2005009-1.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/November2005007-1.jpg
One thing that I've noticed is that the side doors are original. I always thought that this was a modification made by one of the previous owners. Notice the cargo doors on the military machines posted previously, they are narrower than todays, square windows and on both sides. Also, notice the large space between the side cargo door and the motor doors. As with the military machines, the motor door was solid, no vents.
I was reading an article about bombardiers history and it mentioned that the military made bombardier added various specifications to the machines that they ordered. They had a military engineer on site to oversee the building of the machines to ensure they followed their specifications.
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Grfishmaker, you sure Dan Shaver never had his hands on that one? Looks like it's stretched out a little longer than normal. Are the dimensions close to a regular machine? What year is it? That windshield certainly stands out!! Still got the original motor & runs I guess???
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No, it just looks a little different because of the smaller cargo door with the square window, makes it look longer. As for the year, I'm guessing somewhere around 1946, not sure. The motor has sat for 40 years without being turned over. I loaded it up on the trailer and took these pictures; these are also the first pictures in 40 years. My son took it back up north and hasn't really done too much to it yet.
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Here's some old photos from the web for viewing.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/ff.jpg
Old B7 sitting outside the factory.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/isCAWGJ67B.jpg
Old shop where it all started.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/2451349787.jpg
Schools out!
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/2449368081.jpg
Here comes the bus.
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Yes ELVIS is still alive !! And he has a old bomber too. He moved from Graceland to live here in seclusion, but I found him !! Yes his name is ELVIS...... FELTHAM. He lives in Glovertown, here on the island.
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/100_0602.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/100_0605.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/100_0603.jpg
And this is the latest for you fellows that are having heat problems with your bombers engines. It's called RAM AIR !! Guaranteed to keep er' cool !! Even comes complete with ducting !!
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/100_0601.jpg
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Here's the photo. It says it was taken at the Military Snowmobile (Bombardier) Manufacturing plant at Valcourt, Quebec in March, 1943.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/e000761188.jpg
Once again, I see the cargo doors with the square windows that they must have used for the military machines.
It looks like there is an XL large gas tank back behind the rad. Think the rad door will close over it ??
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I know this is nothing to do with bombers, but I thought everyone would like to see Grfishmaker in person !!! ha ha ha
Grfishmaker did you know that you will always be remembered here on the island ?? It's like having your likeness etched in stone. Every time I go to Corner Brook, on the way back home I know you are always watching over me.
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/PICT0230.jpg
Up there looking down at me.
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/PICT0236-1.jpg
see yourself yet ??
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/PICT0234-1.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/PICT0232-1.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/PICT0233-1.jpg
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hmm,i have to be honest here,having met GR many times face to face,i have to say the mountain is much easier on the eye's//
kpm
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Saw this on the net today. Thought some of you fine Manitobains might know the ( unknown man ). Hayward Mercer & infant Cheryl (with unknown man) and Bombardier B12.
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/manitobabomberpic.jpg
Poppy Mercer holding Cheryl in Northern Manitoba (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation/Norway House?) with unknown man. Bombardier B12 snow machine with Manitoba plates. Late 1940s ('49 on plate).
Could that be you Grfishmaker or KPM.....
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no...........it's not me i'm usually with unknown woman!!!
kpm
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I THINK THIS PIC IS ON HERE SOMEWHERE, BUT IT LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERANT LOOKING !!
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/memrobilasnowmobile.jpg
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narrow with a v8...they sure have lot's of smooth power with the v8.
kpm
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I think this spot is suitable for this post. The site was sent to me by "RETMECH."
Subject: tracked vehicle website
http://www.unusuallocomotion.com/rubrique,changes-aroud-the-track-i,1127096.html
Here is a couple of pics from it. There are alot of interesting things there to look at & read.
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/35-BB-Carrier.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/50-Terri-2020.jpg
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ANYONE GOT THE POPCORN ??
I got the movie, Bombardier B-12 in The Lost World, Movie, 1998, who's bringing the popcorn & drink ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqYdyy5N7sE
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I saw this while looking around the net. http://youtu.be/gLI4RSYvgNo
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Here is an old NFB clip of the Canadian Army testing the Bombardier B1's and the heavier B2's during WW2.
Some very interesting changes to the suspension on these machines.
http://images.nfb.ca/images/pages/en/search.html?clipIndex=3&nbpage=10&pageStr=38&newSearch=av&limitSearch=501&keyword=bombardier&termsList=&geo=&year_from=&year_until=&collection=&duration_from=&duration_until=&number=&__son=&highDef=&clipAvailable=true&aspectRatio=&resolution=&sourceFormat=&uvcount=&avcount=&parentTopic=&searchTopic=
daleh
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Here's a couple of pics that were taken in Jasper, Alberta, a few years back.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flatblack66/5292648092/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flatblack66/5292046767/
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Here is a clip from Youtube that chopperguy put on Facebook. Very interesting to watch....OT.
http://youtu.be/eONRIG_T9Dk
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Snow Cats: the Most Unusual Vehicles
Local HistoryTransportation
Printer-friendly version
Author: Morin Heights Historical Association (Reproduced from The Porcupine, 2010)
This photo, taken c.1950, shows Harry Lister, driver, with passengers Geraldine Marian, Winston and Stanley Kirkpatrick, and Judi Kirkpatrick, Gail Lister and Rex in the front. (Photo - MHHA)The snowmobile taxis / school buses that roamed Morin Heights village streets and roads in the 1940s and 1950s "must have been the most unusual vehicles to ever trek through the snow," as Sandra Stock described them.
Because roads were not plowed in winter, automobiles were effectively useless for much of the winter, especially in the rural parts of the municipality. Horses and sleighs had always been the preferred mode of winter transport, until these large snowmobiles arrived on the scene.
They served as taxis and often "replaced sleighs as school buses, much to the delight of children in the rural parts of our district."
The snow taxis, c.1940s. (Photo - MHHA)Sandra Stock continues, "These were often homemade by local mechanics, but kept their basic style of being a homely cross between a military tank and a sleigh, with several small, round, ocean vessel portal windows. The driver sat in the middle of the front seat and small boys fought to accompany him in this cabin. Access for the pupils was through a door in the stern. Once inside, the big snowmobile was so noisy that everyone sat in enforced silence on springless benches."
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/bombertaxi-1.jpg
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/snowmachine_1.jpg
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Here is a link for a war time news reel about the Bombardier B1 and probably the heavier General Motors version being tested. I don't think they ever made it in to action though.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=o9mP_wdBtFU&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Do9mP_wdBtFU
Enjoy!
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Here is a pic that Rattleman shared with me. I can't seem to put the pic on,
but I think this link will work. Nice picture !!! The roof rack looks great for those hauling building materials into the cabin...
http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/snowmobile_zps7aa3aa83.jpg
OT.