Richard Farrant

Well, I live in Ashford and have known that tank for 50 years. A few years back, I viewed the inside with a friend who was pricing up a quote to rebuild the rear of the hull to its correct configuation. It is now a listed / historic monument in the eyes of the council so I understand, and it is also a war memorial to the Royal Tank Regt. There is no floor to the hull, it was cut out to intall an electricity sub-station during the Twenties, so engine, tranmission is gone. Rust has built up in the hull putting stress through the hull plates and cracking them. While working at the nearby REME workshops in the Seventies, I know they were asked to survey it for moving due to road improvements, due to its weak structure, the idea was abandoned, it has stood on the same spot since 1919. In my opinion it should be left alone, because to put it back to running order would be sacrilege, so much would have to be replaced and doctored that it will end up far from original. Better these people build a replica.

Hi Montie, OK I am getting to see the problem, can we have a chat? I will PM you. Richard

Hello David, Ash was always the traditional timber to use for cab and body framework on vehicles, not sure about planking but it would have been what was avaialble at the time, no imported timber then.

Hi Brent, Not seen any Autovacs around lately, but knowing it fits other vehicles, widens the area of search for you. No problem posting this here as it is all related, but you could put a specific post in the Wanted section as well. regards, Richard

Hi Montie, Should be OK.

Just found this link; http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2012/01/19/typhoon-jets-to-fly-over-borough-in-olympic-test-113046-30159343/

Oh well, Deadline, looks like you have learnt something today

Hi Brent, I think you are refering to the Autovac, a fuel pumping system, Morris Commercial used a similar apparatus on their military vehicles at the time. regards, Richard

We are out numbering the Twitters already :-D

Hmmm, maybe I did not word that quite right

Jack, You need a box for people like Degsy and myself, who do not use any of them, that way you will get a better idea of who does go on those sites in a percentage term against those who do not participate. regards, Richard

Was that photo taken at West Malling Great Warbirds airshow? I cannot recollect it leaving our workshop, I knw the TA took the green one there just before that was completed.

hi Dennis, Looking great now, thought we had not seen you on here for a while. Will it be ready for Corowa in March? regards, Richard

In my early working days an an apprentice engineer, the company had a fleet of Bedford CA vans and dropside trucks, then a few HA vans. We were out in all weathers on field service, and not one of the bloody things had a heater, so no only did you have demisting problems, you were cold and if wet, never dried out. Have little good memories of them, except when it was hot, you could drive along with the door open on the vans. One memory was when a core plug blew out and the cab filled with steam, we were towed home behind a Bedford OX !

Tried posting this and it timed out. have another go ............. sorry i forgot ot mention the bearing, it is lipped on the outer in order to keep the shaft in location, in much the same way as a ball race. Would not describe it as a thrust bearing.

Robin, I was quoting from Base Repair section, which means, unit is not in vehicle, so the first instruction was to remove the cable drive pinion assembly. These manuals are very comprehensive, but you need all sections to hand, that includes Technical Description, to understand construction and work out how to dismantle. There are not detailed instructions on how to remove every mortal part. EMER's are still better than many manufacturers manuals. Gear adjusters show band condition to be good, but further inspection will confirm that hopefully.

Good to hear. A little anecdote, when they were first issued to units, (in our area that is), the winch test certificate was out of date. Army always tested annually, and initial test was done at factory. We had to set up two Leyland Recovery vehicles, with spades deployed and connect with a straight bar. Foden winch on bottom layer, pulled past the 25 tonne max, should have cut out, but kept pulling, reached 33 tonnes in a blink of the eye, still not cutting, (Leylands were not holding either) we had to reset this one and all subsequent Fodens. Problem was not with the vehicle, but the method of testing at the factory, which appeared to be theoretical. Have a copy of the original test somewhere.

Not knowing the origins of your manuals, but the British EMER first issue dated Dec 55, has Para. 28a "Remove inspection cover, dipstick and speedo drive"

Not necessary to do that on a normal vehicle ( talking old mv's here), unless it has a heater or is something complex like a CVR(T) or Fox where you have numerous bleed points due to the radiator position. Thermostats often have a jiggle pin or small hole to prevent air locks.

That sounds like one of Bob James's Stuarts. It was M5A1 converted to a 17 pounder gun tower. Came from a dealer in Sussex before that, who had several.

Try Vauxhall Motors service dept, quoting chassis number, if it was a government contract they would know. The RN did have some, a photo of one is in a book of military Bedfords, the type with windows in the side, Utilicon maybe? Do not have it to hand at present time.

Here is one built on an old Ford Blitz ( or CMP if you want to be politically correct) http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/farming/643119/Extraordinary-hedgecutting-machine

Hi Montie, not a problem

Montie, PM sent

I have got one of these, it is modelled on one of the larger Rubbolite lamps. Not road legal though as it is a plain red lens