haybaggerman

Hi Montie Alot of those saracens would have been built as basic mk 2's for instance and numbered by alvis at the factory. Alot of the mods e.g. mk 5 uparmoured, acv etc would have been done later in service. However, talk to toolman, he is trying to discover the mil reg. of his ferret and found that the ferrets were not registered in the order that they were built. I'm having issues finding my own saracens reg. as well. Cheers Paul

Hi All With lots of tempting goodies appearing on Milweb, can I ask if anyone has any experience with the STV group? What do we know about them? Cheers Paul

If it can be done it sounds like a BIG job! Would need to be a giveaway price saracen to make it worthwhile I'd say Paul

Hi Monty Before you start the engine, Cheers Paul PS good work on your saracen by the way

I know there have been a few posts around this subject, but, I may have just hit a deadend here. I sent off a v888 (I think it was) which gives the DVLA's knowledge of the history of the vehicle, hoping that the mil reg may have been used at some point during its registration for civvy street. The info has come back that it was sold by A F Budge Ltd in 1994 with the following info. mil. sale no. 69MS57, mil reg is given as unknown. The chassis no. is ALV915 (which is stamped on the escape hatches too.) Alvis saracen ACV AFB 132 (stock number?) Engine no. 6A/L 02130 According to a letter from the DESO, MOD, the saracen has a date into service on June 1959. It was then sold to a Dr Elton A Eckstrand of Ayrshire, then to the M Q Trust of Gravesend, then onto the previous owner to me. Does anyone know of a way forward from here? Maybe I can narrow it down to an individual contract with the date in service? Thankyou for any help, much appreciated. Paul

Hi Oily I can see your exhuast repair there, better than ordinary welding then AND it looks like a gold filling too:)

Hi Oily Just had a look at morris lubricants website. Are they pretty quick? If I could get something by the weekend then I'd cancell my current order. Cheers Paul

I've ordered some iso 10 but its not coming till mid next week, As far as cooking the seals is concerned, yes, that would be about right wouldn't it? But, I only ran it for 10 minutes at a time so fingers crossed. Still, if the engine has to come out then I'll get a chance to paint the engine bay and do a few other jobs to prevent future issues, like service/ replace hoses etc etc In the meantime, we are going to drill out a 1" bsp blanking plug and cobble it to a radiator pressure test kit fitting to do a pressure test too. What do you think 15-20 lbs/sq" for test pressure? Cheers Paul

Hi Oily I can confirm that the ferret flywheel tool does fit the saracen Cheers Paul

Hope springs eternal!!! The level is very low on the fluid flywheel, don't know how low but stuck a piece of wire several inches inside the flywheel and it came back dry, havn't got any iso10 yet to refill. However, on removing the filler plugs they were sealed differently. First one had a copper washer and pfte tape (spelt wrongly I expect). I would not trust that at high temperatures. Second one had a dowty washer on it, the rubber of which had hardened and shrunk back, on removing the washer over the threads the rubber broke off. I'm wondering wether that type of washer is suitable for the high temps a saracen kicks out. So, tonight we are pressure testing the flywheel after replacing washers with copper ones. Hopefully, that will tell me that the oil was coming out past a filler plug and I don't need to remove the engine. However, the chances of it being good news is low I think. fingers crossed Paul

Hi Mine clearly say 915os and 915 ns on the escape hatches, and this is also given as a chassis number on the VRN document, although no mil reg is given unfortunetly. I would say that os is off side and ns is nearside as this is where they are on my saracen. Therefore, more than likely yours is number 06, which is early. Are there any other clues? Changes were made during production, things like dip sticks in bevel boxes were added on later saracens. There is mention of a few things in the illustrated parts catalogue, I'll have a look through. Cheers Paul

Hi Richard, Thankyou again for your help, it is very much appreciated. ISO10, no problem, we use ISO 46? on our plant machinery here, but can get the thinner stuff. Its not the oil loss that bothers me, I would be surprised if this leak isnt a slow one as the drive hasn't been affected yet, its the white cloud that is offputting shall we say, would not want to go on a road run is this condition. Cheers Paul PS off to get a thai takeaway from the new place, only 10 miles away, close by devon standards

Hi Richard Sounds very much like that is the problem. Will get a tool to remove the filler and then check oil level, although she is driving and pulling well at the moment. I have also removed the cover so the source should be more obvious next time. The previous owner (who bought it from a museum) told me there were drive problems when he first got it, topping up the oil cured it at the time, however, it was then placed on static show and not driven enough to get hot so it sounds like this leak may be anything up to 15 years old!!! What is the modern equivalent oil for topping up please. Thanks Paul

hey Polecat paul Did you take any photos of the repair, and how did it go in he end? Paul

Richard, Why would the oil in the flywheel mist, I would imagine it would drip down and exit out of the botom of the bell housing. Is there enough heat there to mist the oil? Oily, are you getting the same symptoms with your flywheel oil leak? Cheers Paul

No wasn't me but holsworthy is getting to be a good show by all accounts. Hope to meet up at some point. Are you going to the Cobbaton show is August? Hoping to get the ferret and saracen (depending on mechanical reliability) there this year. Cheers Paul

Hi Enigma No, he wont be there, infact, I've never been either, although I hear its not bad...........off to the Buckfastleigh show now, have a saracen fluid flywheel tool to borrow. Cheers Paul

Thats a bigger turret than usual. Wasn't one of these for sale in Ireland a couple of years ago. I admit, I thought the picture was a fake at the time too

They are a really nice looking vehicle, however, you might want to wait and see how Oily and I get on with our respective repairs. Even we might not be so keen afterwards, but I doubt it.

Hi Oily, Only about two and a half hours away!!!! Pity really, would have liked to have had some like minded company on this one. Heavy lifting no problem, got the kit for that, just time really. Have to start AND finish in one effort or else things slide. What do we think, 3 day job for a couple of £'s worth of seals?? Anyway, got to find out for sure yet. Cheers Paul

Hi Jack Posted this elsewhere to, but it belongs here as well. This is an account of the sunday from my uncle, who deseerved a special day and got it, thanks to you and Adrian too. "We were up early because Paul said he was coming for us at 8 o'clock. In the end it was just the three men. Mary had a bug and wasn't well and Lesley, (Paul's wife) hadn't had a good night with the kids so didn't come. I'm sure it wasn't good for Paul either but he certainly seemed fresh enough......... So, we set off on the Sunday morning with blue skies and sunshine and it was pleasant for us three men to be able to natter together. It was a long journey to Dorset, nearly 100 miles, but the roads were quiet and it only took us 2 hours....... After 3 or 4 wrong turns we met a farmer who directed us to the right track.... and it was a track! It was just earth and full of deep pot holes and would have been impassable to anything except a tractor (or, of course, a tank!) after rain. However, it was quite dry and we bounced along about 5 m.p.h. for at least a mile. It seemed deserted and then, suddenly, there was the field before us, with vehicles and tents where many owners had spent the night. About half the trucks, armoured cars, motor bikes, etc. had already left, but there were 3 Sherman's and a Honey tank still there. One Sherman was on a low loader about to leave on a long journey to it's base, and another had broken down, but the third Sherman was O.K... We immediately started chatting with the owner, (I don't know his name, but I am sure Paul does), and he asked me if I'd like a drive round the fields. Of course I was delighted because that was really what I had come for more than anything else. I was pleased that I had no difficulty climbing on to the hull of the Sherman and dropping down through the hatch into the co-drivers seat. I said 'no difficulty' but it was a snug fit and I would not have made it if I'd been any fatter! It's funny how your memory plays tricks because two things surprised me. First, the tank looked much bigger than the ones I was in, and second, when the owner started the engines ( I believe this was a Chrysler Multi-Bank petrol engine, five car engines all linked together), there was an earth shattering roar, far louder than I anticipated, indicating immense power. Which it was, of course, to enable it to throw around nearly 40 tons of steel at more than 30 m.p.h. I shudder to think of the petrol consumption. Probably gallons per mile and not miles per gallon! What a thrill and what memories! There we were rolling and bounding around the fields, taking hills and ditches in our stride, just like the old days so long ago. Thank you, for arranging such a fantastic event to happen. On our return other vehicle owners gathered round (including one all the way from the Netherlands and in full combat gear), firing questions at me and looking a me as if I were a member of a pre-historic species which, I suppose, I practically am. It was a wonderful and gratifying experience to be 'the centre of attention', asking me what it was like to fight in a Sherman and hanging on my every word completely engrossed. At the end, each and every one shook my hand or clapped me on the shoulder, and wished me luck. It certainly made me re-think my belief that all WWII veterans were clapped-out geriatric has-beens, whom nobody was interested in or cared about. There is a lot of respect out there for us. So, we climbed back into the car, to join all the vehicles going down to the village of Maiden Newton as the skies cleared. There were hundreds of people, many dressed in clothes from the 1940's, quite quaint, old fashioned (what did I expect?), also police, Fire Wardens, Home Guard, etc. Also, three young ladies made-up and dressed identically in navy and white polka dot frocks and seamed silk stockings. When somebody asked they said they were The Andrew Sisters. More memories. When our tank was not in action we used to tune in the radio to the American Forces Network so all the crew could listen to it on their headsets and hear all the popular U.S. hits. There were food and drink and ice-cream stalls and lots of marquee's either selling or showing souvenirs and memorabilia, including every type of military equipment and uniforms. It was all quite fascinating. Next, most went to a sloping field overlooking a valley where there was to be staged a mock battle. The weather was perfect as we sat on the dry warm grass, under a hot sun. The "battle" involved more than a hundred participants, all in German, British or American uniforms, as well as several armoured cars and half-tracks but, sadly, just the one Sherman. Never mind, they put on quite a good show with lots of crackling small arms fire and mortar bombs but, not surprisingly, it did not impress me when compared to the real thing! It would have been much more authentic if they'd used live ammunition instead of blanks!! All the bodies littering the fields got up and walked away at the end. By the way, there are no prizes for guessing who won! At least, all the kids, and there were a lot, loved it and although I think I was the only veteran there, many boys wore berets and when I asked, they said they were their Grandad's. Well, that about sums it up. On the whole a most interesting, exciting and enjoyable weekend. Pity about the blanks though!!" Thanks to everyone for making this day so special. Thankyou, owe you beers upon beers if you are ever in Devon and feeling thirsty Paul

My uncle wrote a letter to his daughter regarding the A & E event. "We were up early because Paul said he was coming for us at 8 o'clock. In the end it was just the three men. Mary had a bug and wasn't well and Lesley, (Paul's wife) hadn't had a good night with the kids so didn't come. I'm sure it wasn't good for Paul either but he certainly seemed fresh enough......... So, we set off on the Sunday morning with blue skies and sunshine and it was pleasant for us three men to be able to natter together. It was a long journey to Dorset, nearly 100 miles, but the roads were quiet and it only took us 2 hours....... After 3 or 4 wrong turns we met a farmer who directed us to the right track.... and it was a track! It was just earth and full of deep pot holes and would have been impassable to anything except a tractor (or, of course, a tank!) after rain. However, it was quite dry and we bounced along about 5 m.p.h. for at least a mile. It seemed deserted and then, suddenly, there was the field before us, with vehicles and tents where many owners had spent the night. About half the trucks, armoured cars, motor bikes, etc. had already left, but there were 3 Sherman's and a Honey tank still there. One Sherman was on a low loader about to leave on a long journey to it's base, and another had broken down, but the third Sherman was O.K... We immediately started chatting with the owner, (I don't know his name, but I am sure Paul does), and he asked me if I'd like a drive round the fields. Of course I was delighted because that was really what I had come for more than anything else. I was pleased that I had no difficulty climbing on to the hull of the Sherman and dropping down through the hatch into the co-drivers seat. I said 'no difficulty' but it was a snug fit and I would not have made it if I'd been any fatter! It's funny how your memory plays tricks because two things surprised me. First, the tank looked much bigger than the ones I was in, and second, when the owner started the engines ( I believe this was a Chrysler Multi-Bank petrol engine, five car engines all linked together), there was an earth shattering roar, far louder than I anticipated, indicating immense power. Which it was, of course, to enable it to throw around nearly 40 tons of steel at more than 30 m.p.h. I shudder to think of the petrol consumption. Probably gallons per mile and not miles per gallon! What a thrill and what memories! There we were rolling and bounding around the fields, taking hills and ditches in our stride, just like the old days so long ago. Thank you, for arranging such a fantastic event to happen. On our return other vehicle owners gathered round (including one all the way from the Netherlands and in full combat gear), firing questions at me and looking a me as if I were a member of a pre-historic species which, I suppose, I practically am. It was a wonderful and gratifying experience to be 'the centre of attention', asking me what it was like to fight in a Sherman and hanging on my every word completely engrossed. At the end, each and every one shook my hand or clapped me on the shoulder, and wished me luck. It certainly made me re-think my belief that all WWII veterans were clapped-out geriatric has-beens, whom nobody was interested in or cared about. There is a lot of respect out there for us. So, we climbed back into the car, to join all the vehicles going down to the village of Maiden Newton as the skies cleared. There were hundreds of people, many dressed in clothes from the 1940's, quite quaint, old fashioned (what did I expect?), also police, Fire Wardens, Home Guard, etc. Also, three young ladies made-up and dressed identically in navy and white polka dot frocks and seamed silk stockings. When somebody asked they said they were The Andrew Sisters. More memories. When our tank was not in action we used to tune in the radio to the American Forces Network so all the crew could listen to it on their headsets and hear all the popular U.S. hits. There were food and drink and ice-cream stalls and lots of marquee's either selling or showing souvenirs and memorabilia, including every type of military equipment and uniforms. It was all quite fascinating. Next, most went to a sloping field overlooking a valley where there was to be staged a mock battle. The weather was perfect as we sat on the dry warm grass, under a hot sun. The "battle" involved more than a hundred participants, all in German, British or American uniforms, as well as several armoured cars and half-tracks but, sadly, just the one Sherman. Never mind, they put on quite a good show with lots of crackling small arms fire and mortar bombs but, not surprisingly, it did not impress me when compared to the real thing! It would have been much more authentic if they'd used live ammunition instead of blanks!! All the bodies littering the fields got up and walked away at the end. By the way, there are no prizes for guessing who won! At least, all the kids, and there were a lot, loved it and although I think I was the only veteran there, many boys wore berets and when I asked, they said they were their Grandad's. Well, that about sums it up. On the whole a most interesting, exciting and enjoyable weekend. Pity about the blanks though!!" Thanks to everyone for making this day so special.

Hi Richard Good news!!! The radiator is NOT losing water. Bad News!! Got thin oil in the hull bottom. Got to get a tool to open up the fluid flywheel but thats looking like the culprit, Richard looks like you are right. Going to open up the cover and look for weeping on the flywheel tonight. Oily, why don't you practise doing my flywheel before attempting your own, sound like a plan???? Paul

Good point, drain plugs are in, I'll take them out tomorrow and see what comes out. See what I mean by the sauna effect? One of my priorities is to get the temp gauge working so I know what I'm dealing with. Thanks Paul

Cool, gotta get me a flag now, oh and some more jerry cans too. AND a canvas generator cover, that looks good too.