Philliphastings

Another day of discoveries and recoveries ! First up, I found part of the radiator header tank with Karrier cast into it...

That's not a bad idea and I was thinkng of laying it all out to photograph eventually. It will take some time of course. The metal detector should turn up some interesting trinkets next visit. Apart from the mangled chassis frame, the torque tube and the massive torque tube cross member I think I can dismantle most everything else and manhandle it back to civilization over time. I'm knd of hoping the engine cylinders mght turn up buried at some point too.... cheers phill

The hand brake pawl handle was brass and has been looted a long time ago. I will be recovering the hand brake mechanism and cross shaft very soon cheers phill

On the dash panel (soon to be recovered) was this screwed on brass plate with On and Off markings etched into it. I’m guessing this was for the magneto switch ?

Hello Andy Well that is quite a coincidence ! I'm secretly hoping to find the plate with a metal detector - you never know. meanwhile I have been spending hours pouring over your fascinating restoration blog. It is proving to be very helpful identifying parts, even though this truck appears to be a different model to yours. kind regards phill

And finally, for today, I checked the torque tube for a brass data plate but it was missing. On my next expedition I plan to take my metal detector and a small rake. Cheers Phill

There are two neat machined channels one either side of the engine bay...

Sadly there is not a single part of the chassis frame that hasn’t been bent, cracked, twisted or even rusted through !

I guess there can be not doubt regarding the make of this vehicle. Despite smashing the radiator and surround out, previous looters were kind enough to leave the maker’s plate in the dirt for me to find...

I recovered most of the loose smaller parts today including casting fragments, one of two fuel tank saddles, steering column support bracket, steering drag link and brake rod assembly. Just as I was packing up I spotted a brass grease/oil cup fitting in the dirt !

It's not far from the RAAF Airbase at Richmond NSW, but in the short term I'm going to see how far I get backpacking a Tirfor hand winch in cheers Phill

Last lot of pics for now. Will be trekking there again soon for more pics and carry more parts up the cliffs...

More pics, I have begun saving smaller parts. if there was any real way to recover the chassis frame and heavy parts I would certainly save them

Some more pics...

I recently discovered several fascinating wrecks at the base of a cliff including the truck in the following pics which appears to be a Karrier. I would appreciate any assistance regarding a firm ID and where to find chassis numbers, model and dating etc. Most of the cast parts have KARR embossed in them. I have begun carrying small parts back up the clff via backpack - a very difficult task indeed ! As for the chassis and torque tube - I have no idea how to recover them on foot and they will probably remain down there unfortunately... Cheers Phill

Thanks Olaf, Although there is a lot missing and some major welding and fabrication involved in getting the rear hull back in order, it does start, run, steer and drive fairly well so is well worth restoring. By cutting out the sides of the hull it has weakened it enough for the integral fuel tank to fracture and leak. I guess the PO thought it was a good idea at the time but a quick look through the manual could have saved a lot of unnecessary modification which eventually led to the machine being pensioned off. ( too leaky and becoming a maintenance burden) More pics as the restoration progresses Cheers Phill

What an amazing and inspiring thread ! Have thoroughly enjoyed it Thank you so much and good luck with the run Cheers Phill

Hello all, Having previously owned, restored and operated Centurion, Stuart, Caterpillar D4, Bren, Scout and 2Pdr carriers I have always hoped to own a member of the M113 Family of vehicles. I operated these back in the 80s while serving in the Australian Regular Army and so when an opportunity recently arose I jumped at it. The vehicle is an ex British Rapier resupply vehicle imported into Australia about 15 or so years ago (I wanted to buy it then too) It has been modified by having the rear body sides cut away and a few other parts removed but otherwise should be a very straight forward project to return it to in-service condition once painted. I can't post pics direct onto HMVF but I'm happy to email them if somebody on here would like to post them up for me Cheers Phill

PM sent...

If an early Mk1 Ferret plate turns up for a vehicle which has been scrapped then I would be very interested ! I am restoring an Australian Delivery Mk1 and someone has made off with the plate long before I found the vehicle Cheers Phill

Greetings all ! I was hoping someone could give me a steer on the correct method for dismantling ferret suspension stations. I neede to renew brakes, bearings and tracta housing gaiters on TWO Ferrets under restoration and can't see where to start. My manuals are a bit short on details and I don't want to ruin anything by being brash. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks Guys Phill

Just to let you know that the AEC Dorchester, formerly owned by the late Bob Dimer was purchased by me in late 2006. Restoration was commenced in 2007 but I decided to sell the vehicle in running order in 2008 due to lack of parts and finance to complete it. The vehicle was purchased by a volunteer at the Merredin (Western Australia) Museum and has been put together, albeit not completely accurately, and has been on display since. From the outside the vehicle appears very complete and authentic but I believe the interior fitout has hastily been filled in with timber offcuts etc. Cheers Phill

Hello Brad - enjoying your posts. Great to see the Ferret mobile. Your transmission is much better condition than the best of my three here - very very rusty inside from prolonged bathing in fresh water ! Keep up the good work as you are helping to encourage other Ferreteers as far away as Western Australia Cheers Phill

Hello guys, sorry to butt in but I seem to recall that one was fitted in the turret of my Australian Mk5/1 Centurion MBT, near the turret side port from memory.? The tank has long ago been moved on so I can't confirm it. Cheers Phill

- Don't roll your centurion into a creek, like me... Cheers Phill