johann morris

I think that I will go for it, thanks. It may seem that I am jumping ahead but I need to plan these things in my head up front, so thanks again. Jon

Is this set up what I m after https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clansman-MILITARY-Vehicle-IB3-INTERCOM-HARNESS-SYSTEM-Grade-A-NON-ANR/312333635504?hash=item48b8890fb0:g:eoQAAOxyqUpQ8yDL It seems a lot of boxes for the driver to talk to the commander or am I just being simple. The 2 boxes with the light green buttons I assume are crew boxes? In the original and I think in British tanks, they had a head set and mike, the Germans had throat mikes with a simple talk button on. You can tell that I don't know the technicalities, the clansman seems far too complex for my needs but maybe that's the only way to do it? Jon

Great, thanks for the reply, I will check it out. Jon

Here's a question that I could really do with some with as I know nothing about the subject. Looking forward, I am going to need some intercoms for my project panzer, what is the easiest way of achieving this. I saw this clansman radio on fleabay and although the radio side of it may not be appropriate, the throat mike and head phones would be ideal. So can anyone help. Jon

Thanks for that, I have learnt something new today. Jon

Thanks for the link BRDM and yes I have read it before, unfortunately because our internet is so slow it locks my computer up, so most of the time I cant access it. Jon

The locking of the idler shaft is one of those things that has been bugging me. I know from the description in Panzer tracts that it consisted of a locking nut, accessed through the centre of the idler wheel and a ratchet system. I recently found the picture below that answered several questions but I am still unsure as to the design of the actual ratchet system used, so I have made a system that will work, although probably not as efficiently as the original. Jon

Dear Heinz, Once again thank you for your suggestions and observations. We have all but completed the idler wheel components, although we are unable to complete the final welding operation due to a quality issue with the idler wheel bearing retention nuts. We are currently awaiting a new supply of nuts that should be with us this week. Lubrication points have now been added to the relevant components. My concern regarding the idler shaft rotation locking mechanism has now been addressed after the receipt of new information. We are now in a position where, I feel that we can start to plan and manufacture the suspension leaf springs. Until we communicate again, Johann

Hello Heinz my dear friend, Thank you for your message and kind words. The project is proceeding to schedule but the supply of what would be considered the ideal sized material is causing us some concern. It is testing our ingenuity, having to use what is available, rather than what would like to use. However I am confident that the alterations that we have made to the components will cope with the demands made upon them. I have attached some pictures of the idler wheel housing and shaft, hopefully you can now appreciate how the rotation of the shaft will tighten the tracks. The unit is not yet complete as the shaft needs welding into it's eccentric end and the rotation lock needs to be manufactured. My mind is already focusing on the next set of components, I fear many more sleepless nights ahead. Johann

Evening All, To tension the tracks the idler shaft rotates in the idler wheel housing on an eccentric cam. Thus when the tracks need to be tightened, the cam is unlocked and the shaft rotated towards the rear of the vehicle. It is this cam that I am in the process of making. It would have been a forging or casting but my budget doesn't allow for such luxuries, so I have to use what I can get. It's probably as clear as mud but bear with me, all will become clear in the end.

At the rear of the tank, there are two flanges that protrude either side beyond the the chassis rear plate, these are where the idler wheel housings bolt on to the chassis. Because the chassis tended to flex in this area, the joint between the rear chassis plate and the flange tended to crack, the solution to this problem was the incorporation of a strengthening rod, my job for today. I have drilled and tapped each end of the rod so that the centre attaching bolt goes through the idler wheel housing, through the chassis flanged and threads into the bar. Jon.

They are not quite finished yet as I am struggling to find information on the actual track tensioning mechanism, I might just have to use my version. Jon

Evening All, I hadn't considered that there was any interest in how I make the different components. My interest is in making the pieces, taking pictures and posting updates is not very high in my list of things to do but I will try and take more manufacturing pictures from now on. The towing hitch is fabricated from several pieces, the only picture that gives you a clue as to how it's made is this one, sorry. I have been making the idler wheel shaft housings, again no manufacturing pictures but they started life like this.

Evening all, Simon, Thanks for the offer when I get to that point and depending on which route I choose to go down if I need any photogrammetry I may take you up on the offer. In my spare time I decided to get the tow hitch made, it's position has a bearing on the tie bar that runs along the rear of the chassis so it needed making sooner rather than later. Jon

All the parts that you require are out there. I have had mine re-lined and bored so pistons and liners are available, the other items, valves, springs, gaskets etc came from either Cox and Turner or John Walker 01159607860. I would try John first, as I know that Cox and Turner source parts from him. Best be sitting down when you price it all up as Its not cheap. Jon

Evening All, I have been itching to get on with the Panzer but kept finding other things to do, so today at last some progress, I made the two idler wheel shafts. Jon

G13's were built post war and as with Jon Philips Marder iii, they will never be ww2 German armoured vehicles, very nice all the same and representative but not ww2. Jon

Thank you David, I appreciate your comments and posting those wonderful pictures, have you got any more, I could look at old pictures like those for hours. Its a bit cold today but sunny so I decided to get the old boy out and do some vacuuming and tidying up as the mess was irritating me somewhat. As it was the first, albeit short drive I expected to find something wrong but it was only when I crushed my hand against the oil filter housing that I found out that the gear stick had been in the correct way to start with, ouch. Other than that all seemed ok, lets hope that it continues so. I think that they make a lovely couple. Jon

Someone sent me a link to this, again it's in the Ukraine. They only want a 75% deposit, they must think people are mad. Jon https://ebay.us/ttg4bT

Goodness me no Wally, if something is wrong let me know, if it's not right I will change it, if I decide that I can't live with it. The gear stick is now the correct way around thanks. Jon

Welly spotted Wally. The gear stick I have no excuse for, why didn't I see that. As for the markings, they do my head in. Why can't they have made it simple, or am I simple, I have studied my books, looked on line and there seems to be so much contradictory information especially for the arm of service. Someone needs to publish an idiots guide, Division, that's the easy bit and then the arm of service, simply, not. Thanks again, Jon

We had one when my wife bought our house, I crushed it and then found out that it had once been part of the prisoner of war camp in Newtown, which coincidentally was where G &T Evens is now situated. Was I ever pissed off. Jon

A company called "G&T Evens" used to make them, 01686 622100, they are in Newtown Powys but they ship them all over the place. Jon

I need to buy some more canvas next, so that I can make the two tilts and the pads that go around the observation ring. Does anyone know of a jack for sale? Jon

I have been trying to finish all the odds and sods, its supprising how much time it takes, just when you think that you have finished you find something else. One of the items that i can't find pictures of, is the box that fits over the battery, assuming that there should be one. Today it's been minus degrees and snowing, so I have made the number plate mounting plates and painted stars. Tonight I need to make the census number stencil and get that painted on. I could then do with a dry sunny day to get it out and clean up but that's something I can't control. Jon