Adrian Barrell

I would advance a little, higher octane fuels burn slower and need more time to completely combust. Running at book figure will be fine but you will get more power and better economy with it advanced a little but probably only 2 degrees over book.

I think Richard is right regarding previous damage. The Cent clutch is a three plate development of the twin plate Cromwell and Comet clutch with many parts being the same. It was not known as a weak point. Indeed, the usual failure with an overspeed is the engine big ends. If you allow Cent to run away down hill in low gear without disengaging the clutch, the rods give way and punch through the crankcase, I think the clutch normally survives the experience though. Just bad luck for you, I reckon!

We need a smilie of 'spits out coffee in shock'......

Can't see what all the fuss is about, I wouldn't want one.....:coffee:

I'm interested in knowing too. I did offer my spare wartime one to a friend of a friend for £50 to be told he had already bought one off ebay for £100........

Ken, that's fine thanks. Paul has a couple of engines here so no doubt a big swap will happen soon! I'm still very happy to make you a basket, I had another in the other day to be refurbished so have five here in various states at the moment...... I can make you the parts for you to assemble or sub-assemblies if you'd rather. Can take payment other than monies too....

G'day mate! We seem to have a lot in common...... Welcome to this worldwide madhouse that we call home, I'm sure you'll fit right in.

Nice seats Ken! They are the final pattern, D78351, so not really right for yours but much better than nothing, good find.

It's standard on most tanks of the period. The fire issue is nothing to do with the fuel, Shermans problem in that regard was due to the stowage of ammunition in the upper hull. Radial engine installations as in M4 and M4A1 had the air cleaners outside of the vehicle and their air was drawn from the front of the engine compartment so only a proportion of cooling air was taken through the oil coolers and hence from the fighting compartment. M4A3 (Ford GAA) and M4A4 (Chrysler Multibank) had their air cleaners mounted in the rear corners of the fighting compartment so, like a radial, some of the cooling air was drawn from there but all of the engine breathing air was also taken from the fighting compartment. With just the drivers hatch open, it's one heck of a draught past your head! Jims tank is a mix in that it was built as an M4A4 and retains that air cleaner position but has a radial engine installed. The wading trunks are totally different between the two as well. Jims ones are the US radial style. The British Sherman V (M4A4) style were open topped without the forward scoop and were not tapered at the bottom end. The intake was also much smaller as this had to carry less airflow than a radial type.

(pedant mode on) M4 HST is not armour! (pedant mode off)

It's a universal carrier Mk I or II built by Wolesley to contract T.7807.

It was a good show in the end, despite the weather on Saturday! I managed to get round the arena without going through too much mud, last time it took ages to wash it off...... Apologies to anyone who wanted a look, I got a bit wrapped up in Duxfords other attractions most of the day and ended up in the arena a good half an hour before my turn to go round.

It did, but it was four years ago.......!

Only if I finish the tailgate in time.......

Paul, the picture doesn't come up for me..... Could you e mail me a copy?

The original colour is a strange semi-gloss olive green but much lighter and yellow than OD. Best bet is to find a good, original interior and get it matched.

That reminds me of coming home from Beltring, climbing the M20 and being overtaken by GMCs but then blasting past at 60+ on the downhill bits!

A 4x2 with a twin axle trailer would be ideal. You can gross at 32 tonne and with a reasonably light tractor and trailer, you should be able to carry about 22 tonnes. I used to run a DAF 2300 with a 40' step frame and whilst it was a little underpowered, it would shift given a decent flat bit!

It is an M4A3E2 assault tank aka Jumbo. Definately built as such, originally with a 75 but some were regunned with a 76. It was recovered long ago and is now on display at the Belgium Army Museum in Brussells.

D4 was available with either the LeTourneau cable blade or the LaPlante Choate hydraulic kit. Both were wartime, pre-war in fact and would be used where most appropriate.

I can remember when you were issued with a petrol chit for the garage opposite, those were the days!

Good point! Priorities a bit mixed......

A light colour for obvious reasons but I believe it was a special paint that did not flake when the tank was hit but not penetrated. I've heard tell it never properly dried and crew would come out with a sheen! Believe it or not, flying paint chips can quite easily 'take someones eye out', especially when propelled by an 88!

I'm not surprised, the transmission assembly weighs over four tons....... That's a capable machine you have there!

The Grizzlies were white when new and had been painted silver at some point in their lives.