philm1

Armistice Day  I attended a memorial service in Featherston. 

Featherston Camp was New Zealand’s largest training camp during the First World War, where around 60,000 young men trained for military service on European battlefields between 1916 and 1918.

At its peak, Featherston Camp could sleep and feed more than 9000 men, and train them to be infantrymen, artillerymen, cavalry, and machine gunners.

Gosh, over a month since I last posted.  A few weekends away with activities firstly 75th anniversary of USMC practising beach landings at mahia which is about 2hrs north of Napier here in NZ.   We took up our 40mm Bofors for the weekend.  They even re en acted an actual amphibious landing.   Anyone out there got any 40mm Bofors original sights for sale??

8 hours ago, Grasshopper said:

I spy early type rubber tyred rear idlers... I hope they hold up as theyre not as easy to replace as road wheels!

Yes, that's what are on currently and these are some spares just in case.  Don't expect to be doing high mileage or at fast speeds but will obviously need to keep and eye on them.  Perhaps in the future when we are up and running we will get the later type.

Recently arrived a nice package from the UK with some spares and the instrument panel I have been needing.  An early Xmas.  Just a few other bits I am waiting for and I will be able to finish off the brakes and firewall assembly.

Work continues having just finished and refitted the radiator trunnion blocks along with nice new seals.

On ‎9‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 6:35 PM, Andrew Rowe said:

Hi Phil, thought I might have some of those, were you after the triangle plate and the plastic arm holder as well?

Cheers Andrew.

Hi Andrew,  Yes the triangle plate thingy.

1 hour ago, Cornishbloke said:

Hi Phil

It took me about four years to find the wing mirror brackets! I have dimensions if it helps

Richard

Yes please.

On ‎9‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 9:45 PM, Cornishbloke said:

Hi Phil

I recognise the brake pipework!  We did the same and remade them from copper rather than the steel originals.  All much better now.

Your gearbox bay is immaculate

Best wishes

Richard

Thanks Richard.  We gave some thought to painting the gearbox but we were keen to get it in place to progress on with re assembly.  Now awaiting some parts from UK to set up handbrake and final brake plumbing. 

I am looking for some rear vision mirror triangle shaped brackets if anyone out there has some.

Phil

Fire wall components cleaned and re fitted

New plumbing for brakes & steering.

Progress continues with more parts being cleaned and reinstalled in the turret

Last night a big step forward when transmission was placed back in the hull. 

Lessons learned - have the drive shafts fully pulled out to give as much free space to position the transmission - the 1/2 moon spaces that sit under the transmission can be inserted after the transmission was in place - also easier with brake calipers not installed again to give more space.

We are happy with this progress as it is starting to feel that we are turning a corner putting things back in.  Still a lot of hours to go.

Elevation and traverse gear installed and functioning very nicely.

Fire wall has been cleaned down and ready for painting.

We had a tidy up and change around in the workshop.  Scorpion pulled out into the cold and turned around.  All the motors and gearboxes were then moved from the back to the center and the Scorpion pushed right to the back.  Means we can now get the digger in and use it to lift the motor and gearbox.

Put her back in the shed for the night and then tensioned up the tracks.

Lovely sunny winters day so what better to do than pull her out of the shed and put the turret back on.  All went easier than we anticipated as it was gently lowered over our home made guides.

On ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 5:16 PM, Andrew Rowe said:

Who you getting parts from Phil? Do they offer a quick turnaround service? Some CVRT parts seem to take a 100 phone calls and  the same in e-mails, I hope you do OK, remember  it's got to be going by Easter next year ! Cheers Andrew.

yes it is taking some time but hopefully light at the end of the tunnel.

On ‎6‎/‎7‎/‎2018 at 10:53 PM, Zero-Five-Two said:

That pressure gauge has cleaned up well, nice job

Thanks.  Slowly working on all these bits whilst patiently waiting on parts out of UK.

More parts cleaned up and boxed ready to be re installed.  Before and After.

Another step closer to putting the turret back on.  A friend kindly came around and welded the bobbin back on that mounts the Breech. We also added a piece of pipe as a sleeve for added strength.  

A bit of a slow period at the moment with work and other commitments.  I have managed to get the turret hatch latches painted and back together so they are on the shelf ready to be re installed.

Also cleaned up, unseized and repainted the turnbuckle

and part of the recuperator - expansion tank?

On ‎20‎/‎04‎/‎2018 at 4:18 AM, Topdog said:

Phil.  It is ace mate, I love to read the updates.

Best wishes

Dave

Thanks Dave.  Getting there.  Might be ready in time for your visit down this way?  

On 4/17/2018 at 9:40 PM, robin craig said:

On your stowage  parts where there was felt that needs replacing what are you using as a source of new material please?

 

Hi Robin & Doug.  Luckily some of the items I was working on I could use a sharp blade to slice it off. Then left it soaking in hot soapy water for some time.  Rinsed, dried and re glued in place.  I did however source felt here in New Zealand from http://feltsupplies.co.nz/.  It is about 10mm thick and I have used it in the hull under where the likes of the driver's periscope sits.  Unfortunately it wasn't cheap and they sell per metre.  Owner found an off cut for me so I was very lucky.  If you do see what you need there I am happy to help getting it to you.  Regards Phil

Also been working on the turret hatch latches which were nicely seized.  3 of the 4 came apart with heat and oil quenching.  The 4th was a right dog and even in the press wouldn't let go.  Finally did after a further week soaking is diesel, more heat and a good whack with a hammer. 

Rust preventer undercoat