ferrettkitt

Hi guys,

 

I see precious little said about this machine gun. When I was in infantry training (5 SAI, based in Ladysmith, Natal) during 1978 -1979, this was still part and parcel of some Infantry platoon's training, mostly for base protection. Made a big impression on me! Even made a model of it during Border Service but don't have any pictures:cry:

 

Here is a link for the write-up http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol012rd.html

Is the Vickers still in use anywhere?

Looking at the write up it seems rather late for that type of weapon to still be in some type of use by the British Army 1968.

Do you need the news on the front page? I go directly to the forum rather than looking at the front page. I have saved it via my favourites so that it goes directly to the forum. I know it looks more professional to have the front page but a pole of the members might be worth thinking about as well. Or a simplified front page?

Reading between the lines it would seem that they have been messed about before and have now taken the decision to get rid or put people off by saying that its being dismantled.

The only thing that will stop it is the green stuff being wafted directly under said directors nose.

Hi Andy,

 

I will email you a photo of each of the 2 vehicles that you had at the show that i took.

 

Cheers, Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks very much that very decent off you

The road run went well didn't expect the little plaque at the end that was a nice touch for the Lancs MVT

Hi Andy

 

Can you confirm the cover is for a narrow track Sankey?

 

Cheers

Peter

Hi Peter,

This is for a wide track trailer

If you want a narrow track trailer cover you might be better asking the seller of the items below to make you one up a cover in green rather than sand.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CLEARANCE-LAND-ROVER-SAND-MOD-CANVAS-TARPAULINS-X-4-/160466421546?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CommercialVehicleParts_SM#ht_500wt_1154

If that doesn't work anchor supplies have been selling canvas ex 12 by 12 tent tops for £35 which should also be big enough to make a cover out off

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/18ftx12ft-Military-Specification-Canvas-Tarpaulin-/350379924725?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3#ht_500wt_1154

I've got more images to download but here's a few comments that might be of use.

 

I've all but finished, I was called in for supper having replaced almost all the interior, but managed to start her - started 1st time.

 

The whole job took me 4 main sessions. An evening, say 2 to 3 hours to strip out the interior tin, then similar to separate the drive shafts and split the engine and gearbox. Actually replacing the seal was quick, say an hour and the same evening getting the gearbox and engine mated. This evening about 3 to 4 hours getting all bolted back together (and making sure wheel hubs are all lined up). So, about 12 hours overall.

 

With the fixed gantry, I relied on moving the ferret back and forth to shift the gearbox out of the way.

 

I physically couldn't have done it without the gantry and hoist, the engine leveller made it so much easier.

 

I bought a John Deere seal with the idea that two 'seals' are better than one and that it is newer and therefore should last better.

 

But, the original seal and retaining disc/plate fit together with the plate having a raised bevel that fits into an indentation within the correct seal (I photographed all next to each otehr and will post soonest), the JD has no indentation. This shouldn't be a problem as it would be easy to grind off the raised bevel (perhaps that's not the correct word). Actually I replaced with the correct seal and have the JD as a spare.

 

In my opinion there will be many seals going now, not necessarily through misuse but simply sheer age. The one I took out was like iron, no flexibility at all.

 

Refitting the gearbox was lots of brute strength and ignorance. While there are handy places to insert a crowbar to help move the gearbox and engine apart, there is nothing similar when re-mating. Having the hoist and using an engine "load leveller" which allows the gearbox to be very precisely levelled was very very helpful. Machine Mart do them relatively cheap.

 

Also, make sure you have lots of light. I braced a 150 watt halogen light in the top hatch.

 

The battery leads, wrap with tape before removing (and disconect all before passing any through holes of the battery boxes)

 

I couldn't get the seal out simply by removing the circlip and had to remove the main retaining plate. The threaded holes for removing the plate are 'fine'. Be very very careful when removing this plate, ie each of the three bolts that are inserted to split the plate from the flywheel should be screwed down a very small bit at a time. Again lots of light so as to see when the plate starts to separate.

The last time that I replaced the gearbox I used both MK1 feet to push the gearbox back into place. If you remove the little cover by the forward reverse lever on the left hand side of the box, you can rotate the nut which will then spin the input shaft on the gearbox helping the lining up of the shaft and fluid flywheel.

I have a used one which I'll happily sell it look to be almost new. It has a registration in black marker so I can't call it new. £45 with P&P

There is a caravan breakers somwhere in Oldham / Ashton area, they have all the bits you will need.

Thanks John I couldn't see me stripping a caravan down on the drive just for bits... That really would upset the neighbours:evil:

Better not

Something of possible interest, or perhaps what occured to me is that when we initially size the back up to sleep in there we always look at the floor between the two sides.

 

I saw a German 716 camper conversion and what he did is run the bed above the floor from the LHS wall, not accross the floor as that is a waste of space. The RHS, above your toolboxes whould be the inner storage cabinets etc.

 

found the link http://real4x4forums.com/PinzgauerBBS/viewtopic.php?t=4603

That's a nice well thought out conversion which still keeps it simple and functional. I've not been in a caravan for quite a few years but it has that look.

Those side lockers may not be such a problem if the seats are removed, and the bed and worktop built over them, as I have done over my trailer wheels. You also have room for the all important toilet, as shown here, posts #14, #20 : http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?7860-self-made-Campers-on-military-trucks-!-Photos/page2

 

I'm sure this design will fit in your truck and be very comfortable, even if you keep the canvas and insulate under it as suggested.

Thats very good I could just about manage something like that but its all in the planning and a bit of experience of what you need and don't need.

Following this with interest, i'm thinking of buying a RB44 and doing the same thing.

I'll sort out a plan of the floor measurements and the like when I get over to my parents house this weekend

Please keep your suggestions coming and pics if you have them

The one and only pic of my Ferret and the Janines RB44 ignore the flags they were just for fun.

We forgot the camera bl**dy annoying

And some more

I believe that Steve Walling won best post war armoured vehicle with his Ferret 18EA10 well deserved I might add as hes be fiddling with his Ferret for five years or more

I did see some of the signal boxes but I didn't think that they had a great deal of room inside for two of us and as Janine considers it to be hers I had instructions that I couldn't go in that direction.

We tried fitting two of the alloy style of beds side by side and they didn't fit mores the pity. Those lockers on the side take up a fair amount of room on the load bed.

Agreed a good do................sorry didnt get to meet you face to face but was a bit busy!!

Will post some piccies later this evening

No worries always next year

Excellent weekend. Good weather, relaxed atmosphere and good crowd on both days. The West Lancs MVT deserve a pat on the back for all their hard work and organisation.

I agree the West Lancs MVT did a great job the weather was a bonus... burnt to hell with white discs where the sunglasses have been but still a good do!

I would like to convert the RB44 into a basic camper in such a way that I could return it to its original condition if we needed too.

Has anyone got any ideas or pictures on how they have done it on other vehicles?

Good show the road trip around Southport was fun having not been to Southport in years. The missus ended up being tail end charlie at the end of the convoy in the RB44. The only thing that irked me was that I forgot my camera! Has anyone got a pictures that they would like to share?

The trips up and down the runway were great as well if the environmental lot had seen it they would have been going apoplectic with all the fumes. The model aeroplanes put up a damn good show on both days. Its a pity that the SR71? made unplanned impact on the runway after the paying punters had gone home.

They look quite good I think I'd rather have those than some of the 'cheap' plastic junk holders over here.

=The Historic Warships Birkenhead visitor attraction sadly closed on the 5th February 2006 and she is now owned by Peel Ports and remains stored in Birkenhead Docks facing an uncertain future. Peel Ports wish to have the ship sold and removed if at all possible. In 2010 the landing craft's condition became even more precarious after years of neglect and she is now in great danger of sinking. So time is running out for this historic landing craft. She is small enough to be plinthed out of the water on display for the short term with a longer term option to restore her to operational condition for use as a historic ship and living history experiences. But time is running out for her and she must be saved.

 

 

I'm presuming that Peel Ports is part of Peel Holdings who own amongst other things the Manchester Ship Canal and the Trafford Centre (shops lots off). If they want it moved for redevelopment maybe thats a possible negotiating tool for finding somewhere to moore it?

Thanks Andy, you have just confirmed my mounts cannot be correct, mine do not have the metal piece underneath, do you know where I can get hold of a couple?

 

Regards,

 

Simon

OOEC18

Ebay would be a quick way but it might not be the cheapest way this guy below should have some but if you place a wanted ad in the forum someone might be able to find you a pair at a better price.

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/ta_shunca_uitco/

Pic should be somewhere below of the clansman antennas I can't remember whats on the other side of the alloy mount that joins the antenna to the aerial part. I haven't got any alan keys to hand either to have a look

Anybody going to Woodvale at the weekend??

Was a good show last year

Yes we are were taking the RB44 and the Ferret hoping to arrive before 09:00 just in time for breakfast

Good morning all,

 

Has anyone experiance of fitting a Clansman Set-up in Ferret's? I have a working 353 and 321 along with all connections etc and am slightly bemused as to how the tail from the arial base mount fits to the tuam. The tail is standard multi strand wire (not coax) so im not sure how it terminates at the tuam as all the ports are of the coax type?(except the earth) Also, how do the other ariel mounts (the ones with the screw down knurled caps) fit into the wiring? I understand they are for connecting up stand alone units in the field etc, but im at a loss as to how they wire into the ariel unit?

 

On another note, does anyone know of any dealers that have any radio trays left? I have searched for ages and paced up and down the stalls at W&P but to no avail. I have seen the dimensions etc on the main Ferret site so it maybe that I will have to make one. If im doing that, is there anyone else out there that needs one as it would seems silly just to make a one off. Not sure about the price yet, I would have to cost up the steel etc.

 

Kind regards,

 

Simon Dawson

OOEC18

Try B&E Boys in Rossendale they have almost the complete set up for the Clansman radios (both tuaam plates, radio tray, universal plate and the back radio mount which replaces the Larkspur version. What they have not got is the IB2/3 mounting plate. They did have a pile of them ask...

I am ok for engines, I bought these three a few months back.. and I have some others too! :-D

 

Chris

 

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I was going to ask how do you find the space... but you just do when you need to.

Hi all ..thanks for the useful info....sunday i removed the fuel pump..it can be done without removing the tank...only had to remove the nearside battery box and the nearside engine mount...its a tight squeeze but can be done. ( i bin listening to the guys on ferret heaven saying it can only be done by removing the petrol tank!!)..anyway i digress...back to the plot...checked the diaphrams (all three of them).....no splits,tears,pin holes.....good as the day i fitted them(three months approx).I have re read the overhaul manual for the pump...it mentions using a glue(seccotine)on the fibre washer behind the diaphrams to ensure an airtight seal...i didnt do this on rebuild of the pump...could it be my leak is thru the center fixing plunger????......this time i used Blue hylomar to seal the fibre washer and the diaphrams.....didnt use seccotine....a) its ye olde fish based glue b) I didnt have any.

Today i emptyed the oil tank of 15 ltrs oily-petrol...refilled with new oil & filter.....started it up no problems...will keep you posted.

Ps Sunday i also fitted a repacement starter motor....it too can be done with out taking fuel tank out...also didnt need to dismantle exhaust system....just removed oil filter and dip stick tube...enough room to pull starter out.

 

regards Keith

 

Ferret MK2/3 03 CC 29

The worst bit is having to remove the middle engine/gearbox mount that can be a pig to get out. It might be worth doing another oil change before you put it to bed for the year. That way all the contaminated oil will be out of the system.