Antenna extension restoration 3

Its time for the wires and rope, lucky to find the suppliers locally:

Counterpoise wire:  Rubber coated wire in 3 mm diameter, very good Japanese quality, may be a bit harder than the original, also good price too.
Length 178cm plus fixing.---185cm x 4

Guild rope: Only found cotton/linen mixed rope in 3mm diameter, still looking for full linen rope which is closed to original looks and firmer.
Each rope is 300 cm in length.
Sliding blocks: should made of 3mm thick pertinax, 10 x 50mm x 4pcs. But found only Bakelite.

The relic ring clip is heavily corroded, unexpectedly found simile clips available locally. 

The four holding screws are unable to lose, had to drilled into the holes and glued the wires, then secure the ring, had to retread the old screws holes, and its works likes 70 years ago, holes all wires firmly in place.

The end loops of the wires are perfect excepts too shine, had to bend the wire in an angle to fits into the brackets

Quiet difficult to saw Bakelite, must ware face mask for its dust.

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The ropes has a difference arrangement, quiet soft due to cotton contain, but looks nice when finished.

Linked wires and ropes together to form a full 475 cm long wire system.

Antenna Extension restoration 2

Tried to search for the length of the pole for days, thanks God the one and only information was also from WAF, the total length is 58 cm,

The ordinary 24.5 mm dia wooden stick available on the market fits perfectly into the main unit and the bracket.

Trimmed the tip to fits the aluminum tub.

Glued one more layer to form the thickness of the end tube.

Dyed the raw wooden stick for shade of brown.

Fits nicely with the tent pole when without loading.

Sprayed 'Rubber Black' after sand smooth the two layers.

Fits well the 6mm dia temporary rod, while waiting for the 8mm dia rod from ebay.

Antenna Extension restoration 1

Photos from WAF

 Saw these interesting gears from WAF, recalled my passed experience of  the identical gears of the Clansman radio in the British Army during my Army days,  to improve the range to the radio as well as to provide security and safety to the crew; to keep the transmission antenna far away from the radio even enemy detected.

Happened saw this pic on ebay.de, the two big pieces caught my eyes, exactly the essential part of the antenna extension, was lucky enough to won the lot at 19 euro.

For 7 euro postage, the lot came from Poland, rusty and dirty when opened the box.

The zinc alloy and aluminum are still in good shape,the iron clip is rusting badly, should be restoreable.

But the 8mm aluminum rod is badly damaged.

Soak everything into vinegar over night, but no change after 24 hours.

The wood stick rotten away over the years, left the iron pin for secure the bracket in place, had to saw it into two pieces to pull it out.

The best agent is the Autobody Filler, strong likes metal, sanding likes putty and paintable.

Found this wonderful metal spray in Singapore, gave it a hard coat of silver onto the base.

Sprayed a industrial paint 'Black Flat' as base, covered the silver coat.

Then a layer of  Tayima 'Rubber Black' and a coat of clear matt.