Lauren Child

It looks like they may have changed name again, but it is definitely still going. It's now the Wight Military and Heritage Museum. There's some more info in this (World of Tanks) video. Something went wrong...

It looks fairly black and white to me. if the local laws say educational use is permitted, I really can't see you can claim a museum of history isn't educational.

Now here's a question. The accepted form seems to be Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers, but that doesn't seem to make sense - the Royal Engineers had lots of armoured vehicles, why name this one? Assault Vehicle Royal Engineers seems to make more sense, as the AVRE was made for assaulting obstacles, and was used by the 1st Assault Brigade of the Royal Engineers. Indeed the period 1st A.R.E. book lists it as Assault Vehicle, while the history of the 79th Armoured Division lists it as Armoured Vehicle, albeit noting that the book was rushed to print and contains errors and omissions. Hence I'm now wondering if the accepted form as "Armoured Vehicle" is an error. I note the IWM has an original service instruction book for a Churchill AVRE which may hold the answer, but in it's absence what do people think?

This may be stating the obvious, but make sure you get the right one for the vehicle. There are petrol and (newer) diesel variants of the CVR(T), and I'd imagine the manuals are different. Scorpion will be covered in older texts.

I've got one of three covered, but I'm crap at knitting.

So the museum isn't educational? Ah this would be one if those non-educational museums then ? ! ?

OM11 is the same as OM13, but also includes a test for oxidation resistance. This addition to the spec makes it suitable as an aviation turbine oil. OM13 itself is the same as wartime CS1117B hydraulic buffer anti-freezing oil.

I'm not a welder (it's a skill I need to learn), but I do have a copy of "Notes on Welding Technique for the use of Welders, Part 2, The repair of armour plate in the field" from 1943. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/publication/80002761 It notes that there were four types of armour in use at the time (Machinable quality rolled armour plate, Cast armour, Homo-hard rolled armour plate, Face hardened armour plate), which have different properties. The advice on pre-heating is echoed as armour plate is prone to cracking through different expansion. Similarly you should avoid stitching or wide beads due to local heating, and avoid any sharp corners to spread the stresses. It also notes that it is not possible to weld the hardened surface of face hardened armour, but you can weld the back of it. At the time it was rare on allied kit, so it's probably not an issue for you.

The rain covers look spot on up close, and are getting tested as I type.

Thanks chaps. What is the best way of supporting the armoured plate while removing the last few bolts? I imagine there must be an easy way, but it looks awkward.

No gale so far, but conditions are "moist". Forecast is sunny tomorrow though 🔆 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is there a good technique for removing the side plates?

A2/M2, followed by A251, and what must have been the A2042 and A28 across to the A2070 worked well for us yesterday. M20 was stacked, and when we got to the end of the A2070 and onto the A20 for Westenhanger all of the entry/exits for the M20 were shut. The end of the M2 was getting busy, hence darting off onto the A251. On the A251 just carry on at the lights, don't turn right at the housing estate.

For those coming, a2/m2, followed by a251 to the lights, then cut across to the a20 worked well today. A251 was a nice quiet road. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lets hope so. As I understand it, the Holt tractor is an important stepping stone in the development of the tank, starting military use of a tracked vehicle to move artillery.

The Dover Castle ones are well worth a visit. Are the lower level "dumpy" tunnels open now?

I think I know where this was going Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wish we knew what has happened to that Cromwell

No, it's for some middle-ish sized right hand eccentric axle lock nuts according to the parts list. If anyone's got the left hand variety I could be up for a swap to even them up.

looks like you got those fan belts just in time!

Upper management is understanding of these things

Seems appropriate

You should grab my workshop manual back from the sparky - it'll probably run through the whole lot.

While not what you are looking for, the following list of battle casualties includes Crabs - from the story of the 79th Armoured Division - and might be interest.

You can easily spend a lot of money on a wreck that is not a viable resto if you're not realistic, so if it's a parts donor price it as such. If it is a viable resto, then think about a) how much you are willing to spend, b) how much pennies and time you'll spend finding the rest of the parts, and c) add a fudge factor because things never go to plan. Whatever's left, spend as little of it as possible as you will underestimate c. You'll then meet at least one person who will tell you you were ripped off, and at least one person who'll tell you you got a bargain.