dgrev

Tom Things to ponder: 1) Track - genuine carrier track isn't the height of engineering excellence. It was good for a maximum of 500 miles. The pins were of a good steel, but the links were nothing special. They suffer from cracking, wallying out of the pin holes and dog earing of the guide teeth. Given that we are discussing something last manufactured over 70 years ago the supply of NOS track was exhausted decades ago, the reality is that if you want to drive yours much, you may need to be the pioneer of getting track made as you are unlikely to buy something with much track miles left on it. So far, for reasons I don't really understand, lots have floated this idea, but it always falls in a hole when it comes time for those who claim they want a new set of tracks to put their hand in their wallets. After many years of the same problem, the half track community has finally got its act together and new track is now available, hopefully the carrier community will follow. 2) Be aware that there is a difference between British and Aussie track, you can't mix the 2. Likewise road wheels on British carriers are narrower than those on Aussie carriers. No idea about which side the Canadians chose. 3) Weak point of the design is the diff. That is the most likely item to suffer a catastrophic failure. It is nothing more than a Blitz truck diff and was never designed to cope with the loads of brake steer on a tracked vehicle. So a spare would be a good idea. Just because the thing is huge, don't assume that means robust, the diffs were like the track, not made with the world's best steel. A modern diff of the same load rating is roughly 1/3rd the size and probably a great deal stronger. 4) They are physical to drive, on flat ground no worries, side slope means that on a warp steer version you get to support a goodly part of the weight of the vehicle via your arms and the steering wheel. 5) A brake steer version means all the fun of brake fluid and 2 hydraulic circuits. On an open vehicle, seldom used, in the British climate - sooner you than me..... 6) Crash gearbox operated by a longish set of linkages. Due to the incredible amount of whooshing noise coming from the fan, nestled close to your left ribs and ear, you can't hear much of what the engine is doing, so that makes gear changes all the more challenging. 7) Poor man's tank, relatively light and small, hence why the prices of late have been getting impressive. 8) Practicality = ZERO. As someone else said, you will probably need to carry it to events, this means it is not going to happen behind a VW Golf with a 6x4 trailer. So now you are also having to factor in paying transport or investing in a 6 or 8 tonne truck with ramps, driver's licence to suit, and being England, you need somewhere to house that too. 9) An insightful bloke once summed it up pretty well when he said to me "the Poms spent several decades perfecting the thing, only to realise at the end of the war that it was a flawed concept and then went to wheeled (Saracen) then tracked APCs". 10) Highly desirable because nothing much else in their weight size class as an alternative. Much like a Ferret, what else is out there instead that will fit in a regular suburban garage that is a "tank"? More info on my website http://www.owningtanks.com Regards Doug

Richard Definitely an M113. Original appearance externally, but very evident internally as being a prototype. Regards Doug

Clive Good thought, I just went back and did it, thanks. Not that it will in all likely hood matter. I get inundated with emails from every dodgy SEO provider on the sub-continent as it is. Oh, and both the T___ and C_____ campaigns, why they are trying to convince an Aussie that the one chance of salvation of the free world depends on me voting for them is a mystery as last time I looked, you had to be a US citizen to vote in US elections, as to me ponying up a donation to their campaign, being that they are both Squillionaires - not going to happen. Regards Doug

JH I was thinking along the likes of Beltring etc, where the display was in the arena, but at all other times you could walk up to the armour and poke it, end up with grease/dirt/oil from it on your clothes and have a chat with the owner or crew. As to the price of Tankfest, that was what showed up when I googled it and got a link to a Bovvy webpage. The webpage I got made no mention of any cheaper price. My reaction was "holy cr.. that is expensive, must discourage many, but if it is sold out each year, then it won't get cheaper" . Regards Doug

Clive Is the reserve collection the unrestored tanks that years ago were in the building within the workshop fence, left of the gate IIRC? I recall a weird M113 with electro or hydraulic drive. Several prototype MBTs perhaps to do with pre-Challenger, a Stoate or some such thing they only made a couple of that were supposed to replace Ferret but never did. Oddball things that would not interest the average museum attendee, so were relegated to that building and covered in dust, but at least undercover and dry stored. Please email me direct as I want to discuss a topic direct with you unrelated to this one? Regards Doug

Clive Thanks for the reply. I had forgotten Tankfest is in the summer Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Tankfest very much a case of - stand behind the barriers, watch everything thunder around, but no interaction with the vehicles - more like a display than a hands on access event/show? I just looked up the entry price, glad I was sitting down. £110.00 per person per day x family of 4 - converted to Aussie$ = $712 ouch! Equivalent to 6 days car hire in UK. Having said that, I would still be visiting Bovvy, just don't know that doing it with 10,000s or so of my fellow enthusiasts is the best option? I never got to see a Battle Day, but did get to see the Live Day, the primordial roar of a Chieftain in the flesh is certainly memorable and they only charged a couple of £ per car entry (or they did back in 1999)! Doubtless things have also changed at Bovvy in 15 years......, no Chatty, no David. Regards Doug

Thanks, I wasn't aware of this event. Regards Doug

Hello all, Myself and family are thinking about visiting the UK in the June/July/early August period in 2017, roughly 5 weeks duration. It has been over 15 years since we were last on that side of the world and doubtless much has changed in the MV world besides Brexit, Rexit and the value of the UK Pound! Back then, Beltring was the ultimate experience and was hog heaven for an MV collector. With the W&P move to Folkestone and the new management, from what I have been reading online, it is a very different event now. (That's an Aussie attempt at British understatement........) Mainly I am an armour person, it was that part of the hobby and the parts stalls that captivated me: I have read that the modern event is sorely lacking in both those areas? New Beltring back at the Hop Farm seems too recent and small to be considered? Having said all of the above, I am looking for suggestions as to what events I should be considering? I did Normandy 1999 which was excellent, the atmosphere, the collective bon homme of the mix of nationalities attending was memorable. But that was a 5 year "additive" event, ie, 1944 +5 and so on. 2017 will not be a 5 year anniversary, so will that mean a "quiet" rally style turnout or have things changed and any year is now a big event? Not being an additive anniversary also should mean no Presidents, Royalty or associated VIPs and thus no security lockdown wholly and soley for their benefit? So, in summary: schedule our trip to arrive at beginning of June and "do" Normandy and whatever shows are on in the June early July time period, which will mean missing out on W&P. Or miss Normandy and "do" W&P and whatever shows are on late June to late July very early August? Or would we be better off looking to events on the continent such as "Tanks in Town" in Mons (which is way too late for us to attend), are there others that I should consider? What shows are worth pivoting our holiday around? Opinions please? Thanks Doug

The whole subject of that Pz IV seems to have fallen into a black hole. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE END????? Regards Doug

I agree. I know I am armour biased, but these days I flick through it in a newsagent and go Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad, Landy, Landy, Obscure Landy variant, Jeep, Jeep, Jeep, Ugly Truck, Ugly Truck, oh a tank..... Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad. So why pay a small fortune (in Ausse $) for something 3 months out of date with a whole heap of ads for MV shows that have already happened and so it goes on. The back page of the front cover has the same insurance ad EVERY issue. Are we really so clueless that we don't know what a Sherman, a Greyhound, a Panther, a Stug is, such that every time one is featured we get the generalized history for that vehicle family type? eg. pages 16 to 22 of June 2016 issue (most recent available out here). The article could have detailed the benefits/pitfalls of actual ownership etc. What really gripes me, is it is a magazine for enthusiasts: do they have so little inspiration that they need to get 3/4 of their article content from a Wikipaedia potted history of each vehicle? Anyone can look that stuff up on the internet, so why pay for an edited version of it in a magazine? By 1995 that concept was looking out of date, but in 2016? Regards Doug

I too will be intrigued to watch progress. Jigsaw puzzles such as this are no longer something I want to undertake, but only too happy to watch those with the energy to do so. Regards Doug

Good progress, disappointing for you about the dust cover. You don't mention what you did about the oil seal that was fouling, did you leave it out and will fix later (don't forget) or solve the problem at the time? Regards Doug

I was told that it was Prostrate Cancer that was the primary cause. Nobody till now has ever mentioned work exposure. Are you sure of what you are saying? Regards Doug

Well, not quite "unGoslingable", just requiring a different (and very impressive -as usual) approach to obtain an equivalent result. Reproduction pressings really are a challenge, no matter how well equipped and talented the restorer(s). Lacking a 25 ton stamping press, doesn't seem to have scared them off. Regards Doug

It all depends on the type of armour. With US homogenous the secret is to pre-heat like you would not believe. Face hardened, such as most early British stuff is a real issue as you are dealing with essentially 2 different materials. You will need to play with samples of the Bren armour, but you may find that the secret is either stitch welding say 1", let cool and do another 1" or pre-heat. However, I have been told face hardened will warp like there is no tomorrow when heated. Also, many armours can only be welded using stainless electrodes or low hydrogen electrodes, depending on what the armour is that you have. Which is why you don't normally find butt joints. But do find doubler plates riveted to join the plates. Regards Doug

Terry Thank you for taking the time and effort to explain your etching process. Your work is very impressive! Regards Doug

Barry Thanks for the reply. Is it sold by the same people that sell the brass blackener? If I can't obtain it in Oz, then egg time! Regards Doug

Barry That is very interesting, thanks for the info. Are you aware of a similar application for aluminium? Regards Doug

The problem is that there are more than one valuation streams: 1) High profile auctions - where well healed individuals send an agent, prices can be anything if 2 agents gets into a bidding war. Usually their commission is a % of price, so they don't care. 2) Advertised such as a certain internet site well known to everyone. People see prices asked and when items sells assume that it sold for asked price. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't. But when was the last time anyone ran around bragging that they asked $X for their vehicle and in the end accepted $2/3X? 3) The really really really annoying sale you find out about a week after it happened of a vehicle you have chased for 10 years, the owner would never sell, then some bloke walks in off the street and offers the owner 50% of what you offered 6 months previous....... Owners response, "I got sick of people pestering me about the thing". 4) Owner dies, family sells vehicle to scrap yard for $120 per ton, vehicle is chipped and on its ways to China 2 days before your hear about it ........ Classic case, a bloke I know had a nice Ferret advertised for sale (this was a while back) for $15,000 with no takers, at the same time and same locality an auction was held. One buyer paid $43,000 for a Ferret in average condition with a seized engine. As the Yanks would say, "go figure". Ultimately, the price can be anything, however the SALE price is what someone will pay. Which all depends on who is in the market at any particular time. Regards Doug

Rick Ok thanks for the info. It can be a small world! Regards Doug

Richard Of course, thanks for the memory jog. Even better now that I know where they came from! Regards Doug

Steve Sorry to hear your source for data plates is no longer in business. Subsequent to my message on this subject, "Super 6" kindly posted a link to "Vintagebrassplates" who responded to my query to them. They don't just do brass plates either, but effectively all variations such as ink on aluminium etc. No idea of the quality of their work as I have not purchased from them at this stage. They do state that they are willing to work from just a photo provided it is of reasonable quality, so I am assuming from that, that they will do the art work. I won't go stating prices, as those will obviously vary depending on media, provision of art work etc. It would be nice if there was a company a bit closer to home in Oz so that I wasn't on the wrong side of the exchange rate and the now exorbitant international postage rates, but at least there is someone still doing data plates bespoke. From what I can find out, those in the US are really only resellers of surplused US military plates ie. no production facility. Regards Doug

I agree with you about the reproduction of photos in replies. However I disagree with you about topics such as the data plates. The reason why is that the Goslings are acknowledged miracle workers which makes their restorations extremely popular reading and thus it also attracts tangent subject knowledge which otherwise may not come to light. Where for instance could I post a thread with the subject of reproduction/restoration of data plates that could possibly elicit the response that it achieved here? Perhaps "MV Chatter", "I may be stupid but" etc. "Blogs of MV Restorations" would be inappropriate as I have nothing to show yet. This thread attracts those who also restore and thus have the skills and knowledge and those who admire. True, at this point, if the thread were to go further a link can be put in and a new thread on that subject started. I will point out, that it was one of the Goslings that posted the link in either this thread or the Dennis one to the Neuacar (SP?) restoration from which this tangent started, he thought that restoration of interest to those who read this thread. Had I say introduced a tangent of WW1 Re-enacting, then yes, that is an inappropriate tangent on a restoration thread, but I disagree with you in this instance. Regards Doug

Thanks for the detailed "how to" of your data plate. Regards Doug

Thanks to all who replied about the methods to make or buy data plate reproductions. I will price Vintage Brass Plates and see what the actual cost is then decide which way to go. Regards Doug