Redherring

It is a very interesting photo. I concur. The front wheels, axle, chassis, radiator and fuel tank all suggest Lacre. On of the larger models. Agree there are some unusual features. The strengthening of the chassis. And the unusual unit within the drive train between the clutch and gearbox. Is it a transfer case? A reduction drive? Overdrive?

Thanks Clive for yet another top mystery...

Does it sense/measure movement in any way?

Is the outer casing metal or perhaps glass?

Heating element?

i don't suppose it is a fuse?

Are the strips to protect the object or the user? Does it heat up to a high temperature - high enough to burn fingers?

http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/29th-march-1927/109/jacks-and-lifting-tackle

Hi Doug - good to see you are still acquiring unusual bits and pieces... we love a challenge. As it turns out Henry Miller does appear on the internet. They produced lifting equipment. Wonder whether this could be a part of an early yard crane? RAS

With a tank situated laterally at the rear? The three locking mechanisms on each side don't appear to be very strong; unlike the frame? It's no racing car. Never seen anything quite like it! Though the spoke/wheel pattern is familiar... steel wheels on an otherwise timber-framed farm dray.

Do you expect any corrosion/electrolysis problems in the future? You have given me an idea for my Leyland gearbox. Thanks. Robert

Gudday Brockwood... have you made any progress?? Robert

Yes indeed. A very impressive 'sculpture'. Robert

It currently sports an International industrial motor - full of water when I got it - junk really. Does have its original gearbox. Some time ago I acquired bogies/idler wheels/spare sprockets from 'Corowa'. One complete caddy motor. The original AC1 power pack could be removed as a unit from the hull, it comprised three cadillac motors, two side by side and one behind. Output shafts to a transfer case full of very noisy gears. Connected with unique(?) universal joints - astonishingly I managed to acquire a bucket! of these at the Hughes sale in Coburg. Apparently the AC1 could be driven by any one of its engines. Combined output 330 BHP. And the NOISE in the hull. The "permanently deafening, you can't hear yourself think" type of noise - I can thank John Belfield for that experience. Some time over the next week I will get a chance to take a few photos... Robert

If you look carefully you will see that this unit is missing a bogie. Someone has cut out a triangle on both sides to include the rear bogies on either side. Then folded the rear hull down almost to the ground and welded it up so that the rear idlers remain in operation - but almost at ground level. So, being a little shorter I reckon it would fit in your hallway...

So here it is... Australian Cruiser Tank (AC1) number 8028 (or possibly 8023) with AH37 / H(Hull)32. The Australian Tank Museum (ATM) exhibits 8030 - AH31 bolted to H38. As you can see the manufacturer wasn't fussed about matching numbers. And that's true of all the existing units of which there are approximately fourteen (14). Of these there are complete versions at Bovington (8049) and the ATM. There are perhaps one or two others that are reasonably complete. The rest have been heavily cut down. I only know of three turrets. And then there are the two AC3's. But that's another story. I've been wondering what to do with this! I suppose i had delusions that I would be able to cobble together enough parts to rebuild it. But after 15 odd years, and having found very little, i'm not so sure. I certainly don't want it to go to scrap. So what do you do with a bit of very large and very heavy Australian engineering heritage. Large flower pot? Cheers Robert

Almost, but as they say in the classics, no cigar. Yes. Bradford Kendall. My understanding is that this Australian company managed to cast while other nations were still welding. An offshoot of BHP; and ahead of their time. AH?

No its not an engine block. But it is a casting.

Indeed it is.

Not Blaw Knox.

Alas, not in this case Clive... AH is a component of something larger...

Hi all. I was about to start a thread about this... and then I thought about how I have enjoyed Clives quiz over the years. So maybe we'd begin with a quiz. Hopefully someone will reply! Sorry if I'm a bit slow on the replies. I don't tend to hover over my computer; but I'll try tonight. Cheers Robert Oh. So what 'was' BK?

Have an identical AEC gearbox: Series D22, Part no. B5716, date 20.11.17, W. This one currently sits in a home-made crane at the farm and is utilised to drive the winch. It seems quite a few AEC arrived on these shores. Also have a later AEC box in the same piece of equipment which is 'set' as a reduction drive in the drive-train: motor - reduction gearbox - main gearbox - diff. Cheers Robert.

Please let me know the inscription on the brass plate on the gearbox... Thanks.

It could be one of these... Pretty sure they're off a Vulcan... Robert