OZITIM

Tim,

Thank you for sharing your pictures with us...Most importantly I am glad you made it back from satans land...

Im damn pleased to be back too. Although, Im sure my unhealthy obsession with military vehicle restoration has developed as a result of this deployment. Check out this youtube video a put together with a few of the photos that I took over there. I might interest you.

Also have a look at this Saracen that I restored as a Marijuana prevention program a few years ago.

The place is littered with abandoned armour. Obviously 30 years of war will do that. But this T34 has plagued me. I have no doubt it is still sitting there, happily preserving in the desert climate. I met the area district chief last year and I enquired with him about the prospect of a few enterprising chaps bringing in some aid supplies through the port of Mogadishu, trucking the aid to Biadoa, throwing the T34 onto the truck, dashing back to the port, loading it into the now empty cargo ship and sailing away with our T34. While he conceded that it was, in theory possible, he stated that we would 100% guaranteed we would be shot! Had it been 95% I reckon we might have given it a thought, but he was adament that my plans would fail. As the district chief, I took his advice. But rest assured, come the day that the Biadoa district finds political stability, I will be charging across the Horn of Africa with a T34 tank recovery crew. That tank has my name on it, I just have to live long enough to see the new dawn of Somalia. I wonder if it was a German Tiger tank sitting there if people would take the risk?

fantastic photo! That was obviously still in service then. I remember seeing one when I was posted to Singleton in 1991, so they were still in service to some degree up until then. So, I wonder what happened to them. Where are they now.

Well, I will be damned! I just read the wikipedia link and it is actually 105mm. In the army we always referred to them as 106's. Now I know they were called 106's instead of 105's so as not to cause confusion. Well there you go. Im less confused now.

This is actually a 106mm US antitank gun, not a 105mm. Yes, they used fleshette rounds and HEDP. I recall my father saying they used the gun primarily in the HEDP role for inflicting damage on bunker systems located in hills. The fleshette rounds were mainly used in the 84mm carl Gustaf (see Battle of Fire Support Base Coral).

I remember seeing one of these vehicle for sale in a car magazine about 15 years ago, but have not seen one since. They come standard with the split windscreen, raised suspension and built in ammo compartments and rear seating.

For those that are desperately seeking a really cheap T34, I took these photos in Somalia 21 years ago. I would be confident that this fairly complete vehicle is still there. Basically get to Biadoa, central Somalia. Once there head North and drive a few kilometers until you get to a right turn. Take this turn and drive until you reach the first village. It will be in the Village on your right, nestled amongst some grass huts. Its complete, but the tracks have been taken off and are laying beside it. Sure, you may have to negotiate with the Al Shebab terrorist group who maraud the area and if I recall correctly, the area was pretty heavily mined, so you may want to take a metal detector. But, this is probably the cheapest and best condition T34 that your going to find anywhere. I would be interested to know if anyone plans on taking a trip to collect it. Oh and by the way, you will note in the photos, that I have removed at least two of the antitank mines, so that will be two less you have to worry about. I would have grabbed it, but im more into British vehicles. haha

Regards, Tim

The vehicle belonged to antitank platoon of the 1st Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment. The platoon was split into two roles, anti-tank and Tracking team.

I came across these photos taken by my Dad back in 1968 in Vietnam. Anyone knowing the where abouts of one of these vehicles in Australia and anyone who would want to part with one, I would love to know.

I just noticed that my rank is Private! hahaha I havnt been a private for twenty years. What do I have to do to avoid promotion. Im happy to be a Private forever. I cant live with the responsiblity of rank.

Given that it doesnt appear to have much rust, i would have thought that a bit of WD40 would free it up. Its obviously either the bevel box thats seized or the hub itself. I had a similar issue. I firstly unscrewed the centre drive shaft nut and unbolted the bolts holding the bearing housing. Only undo the the six bolts that hold the retainer, not the nuts that have the split pins in them. Remove the retainer, then remove the plenetary 'sunwheel' and attempted to spin the wheel. with the sunwheel removed the wheel spun around, indicating to me that it was the bevel box that was seized. The plenetary and hub was fine. I subsequently unbolted the bevel box and after much effort got it apart to find that one of the bearings had collapsed. Rmoving the sun wheel should take you an hour and the wheel should spin. Removing the bevel box will take all day and you will get tired of squeezing your fingers between parts in order to remove the small retaining bolts that hold the tractor joint gato. Once you have unbolted the large bolts that hold the bevel box to the hull, you will invariably drop it on your fingers. That will be a certainty.

I hope that helps.

Regards, Tim

Ferret 115161

Australia

Ok, I will instruct someone to get around there tomorrow and get me some photos of the engine and see if they can locate a chassis number.

There are a lot more knowledgeable people on this Forum than me - and I am surprised that they have not joined in yet! Your photos are not too special to help and it would be good if you could put up some more - with closer detail!

 

But it appears to me that the end of the chassis has been sawn off - about two feet of it and that a winch has been put on one side, perhaps to drive off the gearbox? Hence that funny arrangement of poles and levers on the side - or is that the remains of a cab?

The war-time Thornys had a high radiator with the starting handle situated underneath it. With the later (Civilian?) ones, the radiator was of a different type and situated much lower with the starting handle going through the bottom of the radiator - like this one.

 

It would be nice to see a picture of the motor - so that it can be confirmed that it is an original Thornycroft M4. Is there a brass number plate on the motor, giving its number?

 

All very interesting - Forum members enjoy puzzles like this one!

 

Tony

The photos are attached. Based on your experience, what are we looking at, age and type?

Hi Tim

 

Another one! Please add some photos for us to see your J Type..

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These are the only photos I have. But looking forward to the expert analysis!

QUOTE=Minesweeper;403944]Wait for the Experts to come in - but low-level radiator - a post war civilian version? Do you have any photos of the motor?

Tony

Hi Tim

 

Another one! Please add some photos for us to see your J Type..

Hi, Im sure you will take a good look at the photos! What do you think?

Here is my little Ferret! This vehicle was a complete wreck when I first got it about four years ago. Ive just finished a full motor rebuild and am about to do the engine exchange in the coming weeks. This is it driven down to my kids school for ANZAC day last year. I found this in a paddock, full of water after sitting there for many many years. It was pretty much nothing but the hull and a collection of weathered parts. Australia, particularly Far North Queensland isn't the easiest place to get parts, so much of it Ive had to fabricate myself or with the help of my talented friends. Hopefully my experience with Ferrets and Saracens may prepare me for the Thornycroft. I hate to generalise, but being British machines, I expect that nothing will come easy, nothing will be simple, and everything will take four times longer than planned. If you want to check out OZITIM on youtube, you will see my Saracen restoration as well.

Regards, OZITIM

Here are some photos of the thornycroft as requested. I grew up in Western Queensland where the environment is hot and dry. This truck sat on this hill throughout my early childhood and was known more for its role in being used as an early mining truck.

Hi all,

Im new to this site. Im looking at restoring a J type Thornycroft here in Australia as a commemoration to the 100 year centenary of WW1. I found the Thornycroft restoration thread on this site awesome. I have restored a few military vehicles and current own an Australian Mk1/2 Ferret. I just finished a full rebuild on the B60 engine. New everything, but am yet to turn the key, so hopefully it will go. Other than that, pleased to be a part of this site and hopefully can add to the Thornycroft and Ferret discussions.

Regards, Tim

Aust Ferret 115161