philm1

From enquiries my understanding is that unless our barrel is welded in some place then it should pull out. The breech ring has interrupted screw threads which attach it to the barrel. There is a metal oval shaped thing in front of the breach ring (technical term 'yoke') which then attaches to the recoil system. the yoke splits in 2 and fits over the bobbins at the end of the buffer cylinder and recuperator cylinder (our recuperator bobbin has been cut off) then the yoke halves reattached. this i understand holds the barrel in place.

Another session cleaning up the road wheels ready for painting. Not being too precious but thought it best to clean any rust off the inner side steel bands then a coat of anti rust. Bit of fun for a Sunday morning and thanfully the stack got smaller.

Can't be having that. Perhaps a trip down under is on the cards??

I have also put the commanders periscope back together following repairs and the replacement lens Nigel Moss kindly sent to us. Even managed to see through it and target the neighbours house. This unit will go aside pending fitting in the turret down the track.

Starting to get cold here as winter sets in. Still aiming to paint lower hull so road wheels and tracks can go back on. This in mind we hired a LPG gas blower heater and set that going for a couple of hours to warm the shed up. Then managed to get a coat of undercoat on. My first time at spray painting but didn't do too bad. Brett, the more experienced painter was layed up on the couch with the flu.

A bit slow on it lately as winter approaches. Did finish giving the tracks a quick paint of chassis black so at least they will look good for the first photo before we go off into the mud. Amazingly easy to roll up but not so easy to move around when lying flat. These now back in the corner of the shed awaiting to be fitted.

Back from 10 days in sunny Australia on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. Attended the Marrochydore Anzac Day parade which was hosting the 50th anniversay of Vietnam verterans of 86th Transport Platoon.

Thanks Doug. Hopefully we get them all installed again okay. Learning all the time on this project and appreicate the feedback from others. Hopefully we don't do a coil on Brett's Ferret as that doesn't sound like too much fun.

We are setting them based on the manual 'Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regulations - Chapter 6 - Suspension & Tracks'. When fitting them there is no downwards weight as obviously they are hanging freely. There is no mention of setting them at different angles depending on the full weight or otherwise of the vehicle. I can't imagine in the field you would want to be adjusting them depending on weights. All a learning curve for us but appreiciate any feedback before we refit the remaing ones.

Whilst we were making good progress we also took advantage of the digger that is on site to move around some of the heavier items into the workshop - final drives and track. Hopefully we will get the final drives in place in the next day or 2. The tracks we have laid out to give a quick tidy up ready to go on.

Current emphasis is to get the Hull sitting back on tracks. All the tosion bars have been cleaned and are ready to go back in with new bearings in the wheel hubs. Pity we forgot some of the axle end brackets (for other side of Hull) which are sitting in another workshop now shut up for the Easter break. We did manage to get one set of torsion bars back in trying to get the measurements as close as possible for the torsion bar alignment.

Handbrake also recently completely stripped down, painted and rebuilt. Now re installed.

Radiator Fan was seized which was expected so completely dismantled, sand blasted, powder coated, new bearings and reassembled. Now on the shelf patiently awaiting installation.

Somewhat ahead ofourselves but looking at the turret I wonder what is actually holding the gun barrel in place? Would I be correct in thinking that a twist and a pull and itshould come out?

Things have been a bit slow as late as both Brett and I have been flat out with our day jobs. When it came to remove the far side torsion bars we found we were short about 3 inches as the wall was in the way. What to do - Option 1. try and move the hull across but it's sitting on axle stands. Option 2. remove the wall. We went for option 2 which actually worked out quite well as as it's an internal with steel sheeting. By removing the bottom bolts holding the sheets on we were able to get just enough flex in the sheets to get the torsion bars out. I have now cleaned out all the channels by using de greaser and pushing several old rags through with a pole. Similar I guess to cleaning a large barrel.

Hi Andy. It didn't work initially so I pulled it all apart remembering where everything went (until it came time to put it back together Ummmmmm). The Ferret one is the same so I has a looksy inside that one. Once all back together and after a little bit of fiddling it does actually work (LOUD).

A start to putting some bits back on. Brett first off the mark with the rear idler wheel axles and hydraulic rams. I just had to get the horn bolted back in.

Hi Robin. Tyre belongs to Brett's MK1 Ferret.

Having pulled the front torsion bars and repaired the chanel we decided to carry on and remove the rest. At least we know then that all the torsion bars are serviceable. The channels are full of lovely gunk so we will steam clean those before reassembly.

Thanks Doug. We'll start looking at the turret ring soon. Working on getting it back on its tracks is short term goal.

Thanks for the info. Did you work on Scorpions here in NZ? If so where do you live now as most welcome to come see the project if nearby Upper Hutt at any stage.

Would appreciate feedback on removing and refurbishing the turret ring. Currently stiff to turn probably as a result of sitting for so long. Are there any must do's and especially dont's??

We are looking forward to seeing you. In what year though so we can worth to that time line??

We also like the plain white colour that ours was painted when in Belgium service. Possibly ours was deployed to Operation Restore Hope Somalia?

Some photos of New Zealand Scorpions in service. Originally green until later painted in Merdec disruptive cammo scheme.