Project 'took on a life

of its own'

August 26, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

HOUSTON - When Gertie, Houston fire department's 1943 International fire truck, was towed into Windjammer Enterprises' shop, Guy McWhorter thought restoring the vintage vehicle would be a great year-long project.

A few days later, Houston firefighter Cody Gray asked if owners Tammy Deford and McWhorter and their restoration team could have the fire truck ready to roll in two months, in time for the city's Founders Day celebration.

"Once you say 'Yeah, I'll do it in two months,' you're committed," McWhorter said last weekend from the parking lot in front of the Houston fire station as the candy-apple-red fire truck was readied for the parade route.

"It's been a battle. We put in about 300 man-hours. We've been sleeping at the shop. The truck left the shop an hour and a half ago," he said.

"I mean, it came to the shop on a wrecker and rolled out on its own," McWhorter said.

Eleven companies donated parts and paint while Windjammer Enterprises put the pedal to the metal, restoring the classic, according to Gray, who helped coordinate the effort to revamp the rig.

Gertie's a gold mine that's been sitting outside the fire station for years.

"This is not just part of Houston's history. It's part of the state's history," McWhorter said.

The American-made rig supported the war effort and was the first fire truck on what is now Elmendorf Air Force Base.

She's rich with Alaska history, and a rarity - only a dozen '43 International fire trucks were manufactured, McWhorter said.

Only two were known to exist in the nation until Gertie came along, McWhorter said.

"I was online with the International truck distributors, and when he heard it was a '43, he wanted my phone number so he could get off-line and talk to me in person," McWhorter said.

Rick Poage, a diesel mechanic and full partner in Windjammer, gave Gertie a complete electrical overhaul, new brakes and a tuneup.

It was a challenge removing the water tank, he said.

"We actually use the water tank to wash our equipment," Deford said.

Heath Hunter did the body work on the classic fire truck. His job involved straightening the metal.

"I was pretty excited to do the restore when I first saw it," Hunter said.

"He's been at work many nights until 3 a.m.," McWhorter said.

PPG Paint donated about $10,000 worth of paint, he said. Parts were supplied by Car Quest in Palmer.

Future plans for Gertie include getting her in the parade circuit and possibly putting her on display at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, near the Wasilla airport, according to Deputy City Clerk Cat Bullington.

About $350 generated from a quilt raffle during Founders Day events on Aug. 20 has been placed in a fund for Gertie's future repairs and parts.

According to Gray, the truck's upholstery will still need a facelift.

"That truck cracks me up. We started out just asking for a couple gallons of paint, and it took on a life of its own," Fire Chief John Hodge said. "It wows me how much people are willing to do."

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252, or dawn.debusk@ frontiersman.com.