BC312

I know this is an old thread, I have just been given one of these masts and I am missing a couple of bits to it, anyone know where I can get spares, I am after the top 3 locking rings and the two guy plates and the bit for the top.

I have for a few years been gathering information on the FT 17 tank, as much info as I can on the subject. This weekend I spent a Saturday afternoon with kind thanks to David of the Weald Foundation who showed me around the two FT 17s in their collection ready to be restored to complete working order for the WW1 celebrations, one of the FTs being a TSF radio model. I have learnt more in an afternoon about the FT tank than I ever have over a period of years, especially about its construction and the process of its forthcoming restoration. It was interesting to note how the armour plates had to be annealed to a mild steel state so the tank can be used in a safe way for its future preservation for many years to come. The armour becomes brittle over age as fragile like glass, similar to brittle cast iron and starts to form cracks in the plates, so it’s annealed to turn it into a mild steel state. After annealing the cracks are them weld filled David showed me how the annealing showed up the original marking used in the factory for construction of each plate that was most probably marked in chalk or paint that somehow etched into the plating. It was interesting to note that the armour was put together with bolts shaped like rivets made in a keyhole fashion, so the bolt is constructed with a small lug on the side that matches holes in the armour so the bolt stays fixed while the bolt is tightened up, a one man operation with a spanner. Using bolts rather than rivets would make manufacture much simpler. I was shown how the chequered floor plates were originally constructed, by hand using a punch (fly press I assume). They concluded this as the pattern of the plate seemed to run out to one side, as the factory worker grew tired and bored towards the end of finishing the plate. It was interesting to note at the time upon reflection that 97 years ago this tank was cutting edge technology like the space shuttle is today. This tank was built at a time in the horse and cart era, standing there looking at it did bring it home to you. It was interesting to see that the Weald Foundation had spent a lot of preparation time and money investing in castings for engine, gear box and wheel station parts and sourcing other spares in preparation when the restoration fully begins, hence the missing trackside to Bovington's own FT that was missing for a while. I believe that the engines will be the first stage to start in a few weeks’ time for its first strip down. Although the Weald foundation seems to be a bit like a secret society, it’s a very active organisation that is well known throughout the military restoration world with close links to big organisations such as Bovington, IWM and museums’ overseas. The reason for not being in the lime light is that they are so busy with a program of future restorations stretching to 2030; they have had no time to be more public with such a busy schedule to task. This is all about to change in a couple of months’ time as the Weald Foundation is going to form a membership scheme with 3 stages of membership, so members can see the weald foundation at work and interact with restoration activities. Membership 1 will be a basic membership that will give online access to restorations showing the latest blogs on the Foundations vehicles and restoration progress. Membership 2 (in limited numbers) will give members access to visit the collection and watch the restorations in progress and to get involved with projects etc. Membership 3 will be unlimited access (again in limited numbers) Those interested in the FT 17 tank and German armour, for more details about the Weald Foundation and membership contact David at wealdfoundation@aol.com.

When I had a Ferret and I had to replace a broken stud I sharpened a tungsten tip masionary drill on the green wheel and drilled at a slow speed, worked fine, I drilled through and tacked behind and dressed up. If it breaks off again which they didn't, just drill out weld and punch out old stud.

Thinking about getting a recoiless rifle for the display in either calibre, what do they go for these days?

Look here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5F7yQkeHu4 a truck to die for, a great bit of kit.

I take it that there are none in the UK. Must be a rare beast.

Anyone own here in the UK own a K51 Radio truck that housed the SCR 299 radio set.

It looks like the Weald Foundation are the ones who have the FT-17 tank. Not sure if they have a replica or an original. There are two FT-17 replica tanks that were made in Poland for a film recently. The builder, a reenactor who runs a group has kept one, the other, i believe was sold on ebay, so not sure who owns that. Are there any forum members here who are members of the Weald Foundation and how do you join and would anyone know more about this FT tank they own?

A visit the Tank Museum a while ago i found that one side of the Renualt FT-17 tank had its wheel track section removed, thinking that it was removed for restoration i found that it was removed so it could be copied for another FT-17 that had this section missing. Question i ask is who owns the other FT-17?

I have a AN/TRC-7 radio (i have two) used from late 43-onwards into the Korean war. Its a Ground to air radio, so a bit of a rare beast. It is powered by a BA-70 battery or can be hand cranked with a generator. The radio can use a short whip aerial or use a full pyramid type 30ft mast. I am after the short whip type aerial AT-59/TRC-7 and any BA-70 batteries, which i know are hard to find. I already have one but i would like an extra, French or American. Any American collectors out there who own such a beast or have any aeriel's or antenna's for sale etc.

I totally agree with your comments regarding replicas sold as original. The trouble with military vehicles and equipment these days are the silly prices that such things go for, not just Cushman’s but handcarts etc, and just because its labelled ‘airborne’ the price rockets even more. This puts original vehicles out of reach with some of us mortals not on the best of incomes, so a replica is the next option. As for replica parts, I know that some people buy the original boxed parts and don’t use them on their Jeeps or Harleys etc, as they display them on the wall as part of their collection and use replica parts to run the vehicle as the original spares in their war time packaging can being quite valuable in their own right as original stocks shrink and get more scarce, sound silly but I know a few people who do this. I see no harm in replica parts as long as they fit properly. Even vintage classic cars have replica body parts etc made during restoration. Eventually most of all original bits will run out one day and it will be just replica bits to keep ones pride and joy running. Thanks for the information, I didn’t know the’ I ’ section was as you described, I thought it was some simple channelling. I know they don’t even touch a Harley but it would be more fun making one than riding one. What part of the country are you from, as there seems to be a few Founders Day VMCC Jumbles about. If you could pass details of you friend who is making the replica that would be great, if he doesn’t mind me contacting him and can advise and help. I have seen your website and the Cooper Para scooter Prototype, looks a very interesting piece of kit, do you have much information on it, I tried to look it up without much success.

Many Thanks for your help Ron, much appreciated.

Hopefully Lex can help out when he is back. Would the Dutch guy be able to help out?

I have a picture of some of the mines, as you can see a few of the German mines that were used against the allies. My detectors all working include SCR625 AN/PRS1, No;4a, just need a Polish No;3 detector to the collection. .

Would this be the best place to post this thread or would this best be place under American Vehicles?

I was wondering if anyone could help me on this one or put me in contact with the right person or place etc. I plan to build a replica of the Airborne Cushman scooter. Looking at pictures photo's and the manual it looks such a piece of cake to build one, i am surprised that its not been manufactured as a replica, being quite rare and so expensive these days for an original, maybe its tagged with the name 'airborne' that makes it expensive to buy one. As i have said in my introduction making it is the easy part but finding the measurements and sizes is the hardest part. I am trying to find out if there are any Cushman owners about preferably around the Hampshire area that has one that i could take measurements and a few picture off or if there are any in a museum ( i know there is one in Duxford but a bit of a trek to visit). Can anyone be so kind to help.

Hi i am an ex- military vehicle owner of two Ferrets and well as a WW2 re-enactor. I have restored a few vehicles in the past and have a small workshop copying and making things and have most equipment for such jobs but if I don’t, I know a man who has. I have had quite a few projects in the past, restoring radio's making carts etc and have some projects lined up for the future. If i seem to pester members here for measurements and sizes that’s because i am making a copy of it. The hardest part about making anything is finding the drawings and blue prints, finding an original to get the measurements from or scaling up pictures and line drawings, the easy part is making it. As for re-enacting i have just started a mine warfare display and have most of the detectors and nasties for display, anyone interested in teaming up with the same thing let me know, my first display this year got the public really interested.