Mike C

Sentinel - The Tank That Almost Was is now available from Trackpad Publishing. https://www.trackpadpublishing.com/sentinel?fbclid=IwAR1amS0EiI-JeMiRY-dNv2iTHMU4gNz9j6wLKftdbLdMsea2yXls91XK2ow

Always learning, Bob, and Australia had enough interest in the Light Dragon Mk.3 to purchase one, hence my interest in finding a handbook, preferably a complete copy, but I'll settle for the specs and description pages. Mike

www.michaelkcecil.com might provide a clue .....😁 Mike

Does anyone have a handbook or manual for a 1930's-era Light Dragon Mk.3 that they would be willing to copy the specs and description pages for me, please? Thanks Mike

Well spotted! That would figure, Richard, given the location in Northam Western Australia. Aust pattern carrier wheels and tracks are wider than British pattern carrier, same width as Vickers light tanks.

It will be worth the trip: the 'AC Team' of Blackwell, Coutts and Mills are doing an exceptional job on bringing it back to life. Mike

Hi Tony, I wish! No, a trip to Oz will not be anytime soon. We are in the process of relocating to another part of the USA, so that is consuming plenty of time, energy and $$$! If you go to the Trackpad website here: https://www.trackpadpublishing.com/sentinel?fbclid=IwAR1amS0EiI-JeMiRY-dNv2iTHMU4gNz9j6wLKftdbLdMsea2yXls91XK2ow you can pre-order, or you can wait till after release and get a copy from Ronnels Hobbies in Qld (link is on the Trackpad page). Best to you and yours, Mike

Available for pre-order now. The result of many, many years of my research into the Australian Cruiser tank. Hope many of you enjoy the read! Mike Trackpad Sentinel flier.pdf

Centurion gun tanks had two wireless sets during the 1950s prior to the changeover to Larkspur: No.19 Mk.3 and WS No.88 AFV - three aerials. Late in the 19 sets life, the B set (I think) was disconnected. Larkspur was B47/C42 for gun tanks and B47/C42/C42 for Command tanks. Each Troop had a Command tank commanded by a Lt, and two (or three - depends on period) Gun tanks commanded by a Sgt and Cpls. I understand there was a changeover period from 19/88 to Larkspur when vehicles had a mix of both types. Mike

Money talks the loudest yet again ... so did the 'owner' get the cash, or the German Government?? Bet the latter!

Arkansas Walton = Walmart. Mega rich family.

Mick, there are very few images of the Patterson trailers in use - not a subject most photographers bothered with. This is the only one I have found of a Patterson in use in SVN, despite there being some 12 deployed during the time the Australian Army was in-country. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C239354 It was also published on page 243 of my book 'Mud and Dust'. Mike

The Australian Army deployed the Patterson Type 6B water purification trailer to South Vietnam, too.

2-pdr Tank or anti-tank: same ordnance, different mounting, so could be either. Mike

The green box is an M19A1 liner. It was packed by Australian Defence Industries in Australia in 1995, but not for military use/supply, as it does not have the standardised markings of calibre, packing type (such as 'lnk') and ammunition specification to indicate Ball, Tracer etc. ADI was a supplier of bulk ammunition to both the military and civilian markets at home and to 'friendly' nations overseas. It is now part of Thales, the big French company. The same liner (ie box, can, container, whatever) was used for both .30 cal (.30-06 - 84.84 mm long) and 7.62mm (71.12 mm long), but when used for the latter, a cardboard filler was used on the projectile side to take up the space. Both rounds have the same basal diameter of 12.01 mm. The Australian Army used both 7.62 and .30 cal ammunition right up until the 2000's when the M113A1 fleet was upgraded to M113(AS)4. (In US-packed 7.62 mm ammunition in M19A1 liners, the insert was a complete, four walls and a base, cardboard insert of thinner cardboard. Being also on the bottom, the box contained a smaller number of rounds) The brown liner is British, packed at Radway Green in 1978. It has all the necessary military markings to indicate the calibre (7.62) type (BLANK L13A1) and the packing type Link (LNK), so linked belt using Mk.1 disintergrating link.

All, Does anyone have a Centurion Mk.2 tank parts list or user manual, please, illustrated or not, that I could beg, borrow, copy or photograph (but not steal, of course!)? I have the Mk.3 (and beyond) parts lists and handbooks. Any assistance gratefully received. Thanks Mike

Sounds like someone has referred to an old catalogue entry for the reply, and not looked at the lorry! NZ2: I suspect George would not like to be referred to as a curator anymore than I'd like to be referred to as a conservator. Mike

As far as I'm aware, the Leyland is chassis number 21625. Given the number of years the type spent in RAAF service, then this vehicle's years in private contracting, then restored by an enthusiast prior to the AWM acquisition, an engine change is entirely possible, indeed, probable. George was a conservator in Collection Services, not a curator in the Military Heraldry and Technology Section. Mike

No, I knew you were speaking of someone else. Yes, it is a nice job. Don't know if it is on display - I suspect it is in storage at Treloar Technology Centre as Anzac Hall has been cleared out preparatory to putting up a new building. Mike

Well all I can say is I apologise for not having followed up with the 'UK Collector' who generously provided the drawings. I also have to amend my previous post, as the restoration was done in 2003, not 2007-ish. How we forget! Attached images will be of interest. They are of the Leyland being loaded onto the truck for transport to Canberra. It was first loaded onto a tilt-tray, then cross loaded to the semi-trailer. I remember I had to have a 'discussion' with the un-cooperative government transport driver who tried to tie it down with chains over some of the brand new paintwork! Also visible on the same load is the first of two FWD Model B trucks acquired by the AWM. This was the donor vehicle for the one that was later restored. I understand the donor has now been disposed of. Mike

Rick is correct: the Leyland was restored by that company. It is REL20264, but there is no entry or image on the publicly accessible website. The number plate AF-32 which was with the vehicle at the time of acquisition is visible on the website as REL20264.001. The vehicle is most likely ex-RAAF, probably one of the Imperial Gift vehicles. It came to the AWM in the 1990s with a flat tray body. As much information as possible was gathered on the RAF Tender bodywork and the coach builder at HVR built it. There were other companies involved, too: for example, the lateral water tank was manufactured by Cecil & Co in Bayswater, Victoria as a donation. The same company (HVR) also restored the FWD Model B (REL33289) and did some restorative work on the Crossley RAF Light Tender (REL16274.001) which had been restored prior to acquisition by the AWM. Fantastic people to work with. Restorations were done circa 2007 to 2010. All three vehicles were acquired and are regarded as 'examples of type' as their full provenance is not known and the restorations were extensive. Any particular reason for asking? If so, I may be able to assist. Mike

Thanks Clive, I'll ask the museum, which looks like a response may take some time. In the meantime, if anyone has info, I'd appreciate it. Thanks Mike

Does anyone have any paperwork on how the No.71 Mk.1 Sighting Telescope is used on a Centurion tank or Centurion tank equipment, please? The markings on the scope are: No.71 Mk.1 OS3781A AVL 1954 And it is described as a 'Verifier, Aim, FV131900' for Medium Tank Centurion. Been through all my Centurion paperwork and come up with ... nothing. Would appreciate some help please. Mike

Ah yes, we have all learnt from observing the magnificence of the Panzer 2 project. Just wish I had his talent. Like Richard says, nice boots on the F15, and these projects take as long as there is time, energy and enjoyment in doing them. It's looking very good, as is the Cab 12. Mike

Tony, Welcome to this forum. You Aussies have been in lock down for the last couple of years ... so what's delaying the 4x2 completion?!? (err, that's a joke ...) Looking good, will be nice to see another F15 on the road. Mike