Richard Farrant

Hi Robert, It was a very long time ago when I last used them, probably on Hythe Ranges....I can see now that this is a different type :tup::

Used to use them on the rifle ranges for calling the butts. Wind the handle to make the bell ring at other end.

Correct and I think a company that made these gaiters was Wefco (?).

CW, Denso tape still available, I used it on a Humber transverse front spring. Once picked up a Terrys tool for opening up spring leaves and forcing lubricant between them, much like a G clamp, only the screw had an oiler in it. Bedfords used to recommend a light smear of graphite grease between leaves on assembly.

There is far more to the reverse flow cooling than that. The hull is reworked so that the trunking around front of drivers position is removed, this was on normal cooling vehicles to evacuate the hot air. The fans were changed so that they drew air from the engine blowing forward through the rad. The beehive engine covers on reverse flow vehicles, were cooling air intakes. The flap on front of radiator louvres was neccessary when travelling as with forward motion and air blowing out of rad, it would be stalemate, so the flap allows the hot air to be forced out either side. I have known people remove the flap because it looks "ugly", then wonder why it overheats

Similar engines to the Challenger tank then?

Nice to see the Navy K6 Gantry about again, not seen it for a good many years. I remember the original owner, it came out of service in late 1980's I believe.

Thank you Nigel, Interesting information.

A nice restoration. Where did you find it and is the lettering on the side denoting 1st Bn West Kent ?

Marked up for Suez, got the H on the door and on side of next vehicle.

He taught you well, Simon :thumbsup:

at least it shows someone is reading it :-D Story continues tomorrow :tup::

Mike, A very smart looking Morris. Glad to hear you got there and back OK.

CW, A Nelson 34, very nice, has it got Thornycroft engines?

Is it a Renault GP agricultural tractor? I think they were tested by the French Army, but picture I am looking at, has slightly different road wheel arrangement.

Really? :???

I think there were around nearly 70 vehicles on the train after last load in Adelaide. The total length of the train was 780 metres. A lot of videos were done, on the old format, I did some, but have not converted it to dvd.

Mike, When Perkins bought the Rolls diesel business, they re-engineered the Eagle, the cyl. block being altered is one thing, from memory. I know the FI pump is different on the 350, from the earlier 270 and 305 versions. My tech data is not to hand at present.

What it was all about.........the Diggers who worked the supply convoys. A group of these Veterans were chosen by Dept. of Veteran Affairs to take part and do the train journey to Alice. Here is a photo of them on the train with a senior Army officer. We also had two officers from the Army Public Relations, they leepfrogged the train with a staff car, changing places and taking one of the vehicle crew or a Digger along, setting up display boards at the next station and ensuring all arrangements were ready. I did one leg with the Major and even had time for a beer before the train arrived!

Steve, There was a US Navy unit based there who were on anti submarine patrols in the Atlantic. The late President Kennedy's elder brother, Lt. Joseph Kennedy flew from there.

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Believe me there is far more to tell, but we have not got to the real MV bit yet! So far it has taken seven days to get as far as Coober Pedy. Here are some photos to get the picture so to speak; 1. The Australian National loco that pulled us on the last few days. It was built by GM and powered by a massive 16 cylinder Detroit Diesel, sounded terrific when pulling hard. This is at the stop for Coober Pedy. 2. Another stop, as there were no other scheduled trains the rail staff were very good and stopped occasionally to see any notable sights, this is at the South Australia / Northern Territory border. You would not do this on British Rail :-D 3. At the border marker stone, yours truly in foreground. 4. Another stop, on the Finke River bridge....note, no water! It only comes at certain times of the year and then it is deep and wide.

to continue the story......... The train had left Sydney and as we passed through stations, crowds were there to see the train pass through, this was to happen along the whole route. We soon got to know each other and socialise, there was a buffet car attached so allowed us to wander around. As the carriages were behind the flat cars at this point, and the first carriage had windows in the end, we were able to photograph and film the train as seen in the pic on previous post. The first scheduled stop was at Moss Vale station, south of Sydney, the crowds were thick on the platform, some of us went to check the straps securing our vehicles, while others chatted to the onlookers. School children were often brought along as the War was part of their studies and they met the Vets. The steam engine was uncoupled here and returned to Sydney, from now on the train was pulled by a diesel unit, which was changed as we entered each State railway area. Due to the train slowing down as we passed through smaller stations, the timetable started to go out the window. Information folders were being made up on the train and bundles dropped off as we passed stations. The first overnight stop was at a small country town called Cootamundra. Our accomodation was pre-booked and the reception from these small towns was tremendous, we would be taken to our pub, hotel, etc. by locals, some of us were invited to stay at their homes. The train would be left in sidings overnight with a small party staying to watch over it. This was the pattern for the rest of the trip, as we stopped at stations the local ladies groups would be there with pies, tea, etc, just as they would have done for the wartime troop trains. Bands would strike up, speeches made, welcoming us and wishing a good trip. The stops were often between 20 to 30 minutes. The next stop was Melbourne, here we were to stop over a day, while the Victoria contingent of vehicles and crew joined the train. I was invited to join the Veterans on a day out to the Dandenongs, where we had a superb lunch at a Bavarian style restaurant. Off again, bound for Dimboola as an overnight halt, again a small country town, this time the community had organised an evening for us in the local club hall. This was quite an experience, with a small country band, singers, dancing. I think we all remembered that night. From here we carried on to Adelaide where the South Australians and some from West Australia were set to join the train. Another lay over day and time to look around the city. The train was now fully loaded, and some considerable weight. We left Adelaide bound for Port Augusta, but stopping off at Port Pirie on the way. From Port Augusta we then started to journey inland through the sand hills and passing salt lakes. At a small halt called Pimba, a US serviceman in an official vehicle was a surprise to see, until I realised we were close to Woomera where the old rocket site was situated. Further on, we stopped at a small township called Tarcoola, it was here the railway split to go west to Perth or north to Alice Springs. We stopped here for a time while the local school children welcomed the veterans. After that, some of us walked across to the Red Shed, the local pub, for a beer, we were soon stirred when someone came in to say the train was ready to leave! From here the track was single and with only a freight train or The Ghan passenger train to worry about, it was more leisurely. Where we were to meet an oncoming train, we would wait in a loop, often giving us time for a walk in the bush. The final overnight stop was at a place called Manguri.........all there was visible was a siding. Soon after stopping a couple of coaches emerged from the bush in a cloud of red dust. They were to take us to Coober Pedy, about 40 kms away. This was a town made famous for its opal mining. That evening the town gave us a dinner and reception by the Mayor. to be continued......with photos next.

Not surprising really, torque settings were not commonly used in that era for British automobile work. Providing a normal length spanner was used, along with common sense, then it would be tightened sufficiently. The use of torque wrenches on old engines, where the setting is "guesstimated", often results in stretched studs, or threads pulled as people do not have the feel for what is happening, just waiting for the click. Back in my apprentice days, there was an old boy working there who started in the trade in the late 1920's, he always said he would "never use one of them tourniquet wrenches". ...........and yes, before you say it, the Dodge WC manual has head torque setting.

Neil, I think you will find that it belongs to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Museum at Puckapunyal, gifted to them by the Swedish Army, as was the one at The Tank Museum. Would guess there is no likelyhood of them coming on the market though.

Here you go where ? ........ looks like a ghost :confused: