Richard Farrant

Hi Mate, The assy does tend to flex if you turn the steering without engine running. The "hoods" over the arms each side stop a lot of the flexing, i am thinking that the ball couplings could be too tight, incorrect shimming or some lost. This could be the cause, or the crack might have occured from impact on a wheel at some point sending shock up the system and finding a weak point. regards, Richard

Hi Robin, An awful day, but in all the years of going there since 1987, only the second time that I have got wet. As for being towed out, my VW van is not like an army truck and bogged down within yards of my parking space on leaving, but once towed to the crest of the field, I employed rallycross techniques to get to the entrance ...... ie. Flat out !! When I got to the pub where I was staying the night, they said immediately that they knew where I had come from .... something to do with mud up to my knees I think. A hot shower and several pints of Ringwood and things looked much better!!!! regards, Richard

It would be a "C" vehicle, ie plant. My reckoning is a tractor or dozer, dating from around 1967

Seen last evening ..... AEC Mk3 Recovery driving in opposite direction, as I was left Beaulieu, somewhere near Marchwood.

Richy, This thread should answer your questions; http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?19681-RB44-Oils

Clive, A lot simpler drive line than a FV1600 series

Ray, There are no centre bearings on a MJ propshaft, as it only runs from the transfer box. This was an age old problem on MK and MJ, at a certain speed, as I have explained earlier. REME workshops had a rig to balance front wheels on the vehicle, this was in the days of them being fitted with Goodyear cross ply bar grips, seems like with new types of tyres, the shake is still there.

Tony, The crane is designed for vertical lifts, not like a Holmes type wrecker for winching. They are good for what they were designed to do.

Hi EKA Wrecker, In my past I did a lot of work with Foden recovery vehicles, and also did all the testing of them for our area at the time (crane, winches, hydraulics, etc). I carried out overload testing when required, to ascertain that the safety systems were working and can tell you that it is quite a stable machine, but obviously if using it on soft ground you would have to be aware of legs sinking, etc. I cannot remember overload weights, but may come across them and post for oyur interest. Your mention of instability, reminds me that the actual vehicle when driving, has a maximum inclination of 27 degrees if my memory serves me. I was involved with these from date into service until 1996, so a little while ago now!

Thanks John.

Hi John, Congratulations at becoming the new Editor. Hope any changes are not too radical. The mag is a very good one and I always enjoy reading it. I joined in the late 70's when the first Windscreen was launched, in those days there no military vehicle magazines, and if someone was organising an event it was advertised in the Exchange & Mart under "ex-Military Vehicles" ! Because of the lack of regular info (unlike today), the Windscreen in those days was eagerly looked forward to, with its small ads pages as well. All the best, Richard

I knew someone who found a bottle of wine in a Fox once, it was hidden in the empty cartridge tube in the turret. It had just returned off exercise, Germany no doubt.

The return spring is missing. This is why the pinion is touching the edge of the ring gear.

They were in gloss Deep Bronze Green when they were first issued. The Workshops I was at, had one from new, and only replaced when the Scammell EKA came in to service. Think it retained its gloss finish all the time we had it.

Jules, will be interested to see what your dynamo is like, cannot recollect three terminals on that type, but maybe it has been changed at some point. If you have a terminal marked with the Negative symbol, the minus sign, then that is earth and should go to a bolt on the block.

The Scout Car charging system is totally different to the 4x4 Utility.

Hi Jules, You should have a CAV 75BT-19X control box fitted, the two cables from the dynamo to the box are D+ (dynamo positive), and F (Field). There is sometimes and earth wire from the dynamo body to the engine block. regards, Richard

I can only think of the the thrust washers within the diff assembly, which I think are steel with a bronze thrust face. It is probably from these, and just a process of normal bedding in, if the trace in the oil is very fine. If the oil is the same as was specified by the British Army, then it is compatable with yellow metals.

Just watched some footage on Youtube, of the show on Friday, glad to see it was all happening then. Looks like I went there too early in the week :undecided:. Better luck next year.... maybe.

They used to suffer from wheel imbalance with the old bartead tyres. The workshop i was at, had a rig to balance the front wheels on the vehicle, a dummy hub drive flange was used, so driveline did not turn. In later years the bartreads are no longer fitted, so I do not have experience of how they new tyres perform.

Hi Steve, Is that the Locomobile that has been rallied for a good many years, "Verdun Wanderer" if I recall? I should have come later in the week it seems, always better weather, the day after you go somewhere.

hi Shaun, Only just spotted this, am sending you a PM. regards Richard

and theres more ........... in the 1941 edition of the Humber Armd Car Mk3 instruction book, the following; "the colour in which the disc is painted will be changed from year to year" This way they would have an idea of how long the A/F solution had been in the vehicle.

David, I have seen stencilling on front sloping armour of Dingos ( wartime photos somewhere), there was more wording and I think it detailed the strength of the A/F.

Dave, From the instruction book (dated Nov. 1944) for working a Humber Armd. Car Mk4 in sub-zero temperatures: 55% Glycol + 45% water Warning A red circle must be painted on the radiator header tank to indicate that the system contains Anti-freeze, and it is preferable that the red circle should be superimposed on a square painted white for easy recognition. The diameter of the circle must be 3" (approx) Also stencil in red BLOCK letters on front glacis plate and rear offside skirt plate, the following warning: RADIATOR IS FILLED WITH ANTI-FREEZE. DO NOT DRAIN