Richard Farrant

Hi Maurice, There were some like this, built on the Trooper chassis. Richard Beddall used to have one years ago. There is a photo of one in Bart's Bedford book, but I would need to see pics of other angles of this one to compare. The window frames look a bit modern. The longer ones were known as New T.E.V. Type with three versions, Types A, B and C. Not sure when these were actually built though. Would need to see a chassis or army number. regards, Richard

Hi Diana, Another point, if using the gantry outside, make sure the surface you will use it on is level, otherwise when you lift the load up high, it could tip the gantry as it will not be lifting straight. Just check and double check before doing anything if you are unsure.

hi Diana, It depends on how sturdy the gantry is and how well it will move, also is the floor smooth. I have removed an engine on-site from a Stalwart and with a very high wheeled gantry that they had. you have to be aware of the weight up high and do it slowly. The Ferret will roll a bit easier if you ensure there is no wind up present, jack one wheel each side up to relieve it. Richard

Then you would have to push the Ferret clear to lower the turret or gearbox

Hi Diana, You mention clearance with the gantry, but what is the hoist method? If it is a chainblock , then the depth of this has to be considered, unless it has a cable hoist drum on the side, then you should be OK, gearbox will not be a problem, but turret has 3 lifting points, we used a 3 leg wire strop and it lifted perfectly, but you might have to sling it a bit tighter to ensure clearance. Note when you lift the gearbox assy, it has to be rotated 180 degrees to come through the hull aperture. The hull was designed so that the gearbox just fits through there. This means you will have to make sure you have a swivel hook in you lifting gear. regards, Richard

The late Jacque Littlefield's collection of tanks and armour is being located to Eastern USA, check it out here;http://www.sfgate.com/business/technology/article/Silicon-Valley-tank-collection-heading-east-4972136.php#photo-5443187

My Petter powered 1260w charging set was built in 1943 and I have a manual for a JAP version which is dated early 1945. They continued in service for many years though.

I think these Coventry Climax generators were fitted in some Command vehicles, note the length of starting handle.

Hi all, Just to make it easy for you all, here are direct links to the latest KVE News magazine: http://corowaswim-in.org/docs/Corowa...ber%202013.pdf The 2014 participants entry form: http://corowaswim-in.org/docs/entryform.pdf and the booking form for a swap meet space: http://corowaswim-in.org/docs/2014SwapForm.pdf We look forward to receiving your entries. cheers, Richard

Ah, it could be a J.A.P. as they look very similar to the Petter, your photo did not zoom up so not able to see any details. There were other engine makes including Norman. I recollect working on a JAP one still in service in the late Seventies.

Hi Louis, It is a 1260watt Charging Set, British WW2 and powered by a number of different engines, that looks like a Petter as I have one, there should be a separate charging panel with it. They were use to charge banks of batteries. Value? Difficult to say, heavy old lump to move around. There should also be two wooden poles to slide through the frame for carrying.

More on here: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?21068-Amphibious-Centurion-tanks

I remember including a photo of one of these Centurions in one of my articles in Vintage Roadscene, it was taken in the wading pool at Chertsey during one of the equipment exhibitions. Not sure that it is a DD, looks more like a wading screen as photos show it with depth markings up to 12 foot on the screen. The photo on a previous link shows the back of one going into the wading tank and no propulsion screws are visible, nor is it mentioned in the write up in the FVRDE 1962 exhibition catalogue.

hi Ian, 19mm is a bit big for the electricals, I have a feeling this spanner is for the fuel injection pipes or something connected with the pump as you say they had a link with Bosch, made under licence or to their design.

Is that a bullet hole just over the door?

In Schedule A there is a 19mm open ended spanner, often wondered what was metric on an AEC in those days. I have a new old stock one still in its army packing.

Length was 33 feet 8 inches and weighing 69 tons, so it is BIG ! A MkV was about 7 feet shorter.

Yes, Terry, quite correct, it would be almost unlikely to find one of the early Saracens using synthetic fluid now. I had quite forgotten about that. I worked on them when they were in service and later on a number in private ownership. cheers Richard

Hi Terry, Well, I have been beaten to it, Clive has a very good article there on the Lubricant codes. To define it further for you, in relation to your Saracen, I do not recollect OX-8 being used in them. This is a DOT4 brake fluid and must not be used in this vehicle, what is used for hydraulic brakes and steering is OM-13 which is a mineral hydraulic fluid with the grade ISO 10, as the grades in the ISO range are very close in their viscosity, 12 or 15 may well be alright, given the ambient temperature in Australia. It might be worth checking any Australian army manuals about what engine oil grades they used in theirs, due to your temps being high than the UK. The gearbox does not need any fancy oils, a SAE 30 engine oil is used in them, with transfer box and all other gear oil fills (OEP-220) being a Hypoy or EP90, but ensure it is one that is compatible with "yellow metals", ie. bronze, brass, etc. XG-279, just an ordinary chassis grease and PX-7 is same as Vaseline or petroleum jelly available in drug stores. One point regarding Saracen suspensions, where there are nipples on wishbones, etc. do not use grease in these, but use the OEP-220 equivalent gear oil that is safe with bronze. Hope that has defined it a bit for you, if in any doubt please send me a PM. regards, Richard

Hi Nick, As I assume you are in Australia, and not NZ, you might be interested in a military vehicle event next March on the border of NSW and Victoria, at Corowa. One of the themes is going to be World War One and it is hoped there will be some WW1 vehicles there. The other theme is Year of the Ford. If you are unaware of the event or would like to know more, here is a link to the latest newsletter from the organisers ( of which I am on the committee and editor of the newsletter ). It would be great if you could get your equipment ready and be able to attend. http://corowaswim-in.org/docs/Corowa%20Newsletter%20October%202013.pdf regards, Richard

Hi Trailerpirate, List the army codes and I will decoded them for you with the correct grades. regards, Richard

Its a Commer with a 4.1 litre side valve !! No way is that an indicated weight, doubt it would last long. Although it looks like a bridge classification, but would be on a yellow disc if it was.

As the Valentine has the Allied star on it, it would seem that it is in fact in NW Europe. Apparently a few were used as command vehicles for units equipped with Archer, so it fits in with the previous clip of an Archer in action. The E100 is I am sure, as found at the Works, seem to recollect reading about this in Wheels & Tracks years ago and my guess is that the wooden railings around it were for a camouflage net to hide it.

The Budge open day, top row, the Morris Commercial C9B is now in the Firepower Museum, and the Vickers Light Tank is in the Duxford Museum. Further down a desert colour Bedford QL, is I think now in Kent, but painted green.

Hi Scott, I think this was done in the UK. B282 was the code for a contractor to the Ministry of Supply, they could be garages or manufacturers service depots. If it were an army workshop a code for that establishment would be used. I think SPR could relate to something like "Specified Repair", which was a term used in army workshops. The plate shows it having a civilian number so it may not have been in military service at the time of that repair, possibly another government department. regards, Richard