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Minesweeper

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Posts posted by Minesweeper

    Colour change

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted

    This should help to sort the confusion over colour and colour change in WW1.

     

    421 Coy ASC (4 MAC) started to repaint ambulances on 2 January 1915. This was under orders of CO MACs who considered that green was too conspicuous and that ambulances should be repainted grey.

     

    So, we have lorries going from grey to green and ambulances from green to grey, both for the same reason and both about the same time.

     

    Nothing like a bit of clarity to solve a mystery, is there?

     

     

    Love it!

     

    Tony

    WW1 Thornycroft restoration

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted

    What happens to any water that gets between the front and back plates of the wheel, does it just pool in there with the dust and leaves until it evaporates? I assume that those screws to fix the brass plate also go through the wheel into that space, potentially allowing moisture to wick through?

    There is no obvious drain for water in the wheel and I am guessing that it was never bothered about. Let nature take its course!

     

    Tony

    WW1 Thornycroft restoration

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted

    Eloquently described, Andy! The original type of Greaser was far prettier than the ones that we are using - they had brass caps with a "key" on top so that they were easy to hold for screwing them down. Those are very hard to come by now - we would very much like to find a source for those at a reasonable price but we pick up what we can at Autojumbles - but not nearly enough at the moment to have a full matching set.

     

    The ones that we are using are modern - some three of four years ago, our local supplier put some up for sale - much reduced in price at just 40p each - I guess there is very little demand for them and they were old stock. I asked him how many he had and if I remember correctly, it was something like about sixty! So at that price, I bought the whole lot - they have found homes in all of our lorries and we have passed some on to friends.

     

    Very glad that you are enjoying the story, Will!

     

    Tony

    WW1 Thornycroft restoration

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted · Edited by Minesweeper

    The half chassis still had one part of the original Radiator Guard on it - this was one of the "Side Plates" and this fitted like a glove on the full chassis that we are using. This Side Plate was used as a template to make the other.

     

    The "pink" parts have another history of their own - some time ago we were in regular contact with friends who were restoring two "J's" for a Museum - one was to be "military" and the other to be in its later civilian form. They mistakenly but understandably thought that both vehicles should have the Radiator Guard fitted but after making all new parts realised that the civilian form did not have the Guard and that it ran without one - so the second one was surplus to requirements and was donated to us.

     

    So we have used the one original part, one part made in house here, and the rest were the new parts given to us and made elsewhere!

     

    You may have noticed that the original part has an additional three holes in it which we do not think are "standard" but may have been put there for a light to be fitted during its later life after the War.

     

    Tony

    WW1 Thornycroft restoration

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted

    What were those hooks on the spring hangers for? To hitch up some horses in case the engine failed or needed some help on a steep slope?

     

    Second question - will you be welding up the misaligned holes in the spring hanger from the half chassis before you drill the new ones?

     

    trevor

    No, the old holes will not be welded up - this could introduce more stresses into the casting so best left alone. They will not be readily visible in any case.

     

    With regard to the Hooks, then it appears that all Subsidy Lorries - and other military lorries of all makes as well were fitted with them. I guess that either Roy L. or Tim will be able to tell you more about the original specifications that were laid down for Subsidy Lorries to be fitted with them. I guess not only available for recovery purposes for the lorry - but also to assist any horse drawn cart or wagon that gets stuck in the mire!

     

    Tony

    Insurance on back of MVT magazine.

    in Legislation, Licenses & Registration

    Posted

    It is not always straight forward dealing with an Insurance Company over the telephone. I wanted to obtain a fresh quotation for Buildings Insurance - I telephoned - was asked my Post Code which I was able to give immediately.

    I was then told that as I live in a Flood Area, they would not be able to quote - and I thought very much off-hand and disinterested in my request. In actual fact, I live on a steep hill, quite a long way up. If we flood here, the world is coming to an end.

     

    I told the person that I did not live in a Flood Area, but towards the top of a hill. There is no flooding or history of it in this area. I was not believed - and that was the end of that.

     

    Not always possible in this day and age, but so much better to talk to somebody local who knows (in my case) the area and face to face. Very disappointing.

     

    Tony

    WD McLaren traction engine

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted

    Hi all, I understand from an article in 'Old Glory' Magazine (Issue 284) that the McLaren engine that is to be returning to a WD paint scheme is No. 1332 "Gigantic", mechanically almost identical to "Boadicea", which is currently undergoing a re-build which is scheduled to be completed in time for the Brighton Run.

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]87645[/ATTACH]

     

    We have been debating this here in Devon. There is some thought that "Gigantic" and "Boadicea" are one and the same Engine - different names used depending on what "clothes" it is wearing. So are there two Engines - or is it one Engine in two different liveries with different names?

     

    Tony

    WW1 Thornycroft restoration

    in Pre WW2 vehicles

    Posted

    Well, I can't speak for "Bill" but we don't do any outside work - commercial or otherwise as we are only amateurs playing at it. Steve's work on the Maudslay was done as an unpaid volunteer to help out where our knowledge of working to a deadline on a WW1 Truck could obviously be helpful. The "Brighton" is now looming up so quickly and there is still so much to be done to complete the project in time for it.

     

    There are a whole number of small firms around who will take one-off commissions with the sort of work that you are talking about and perhaps you could make some enquiries for such a firm near to you?

     

    Tony

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