nz2

What colour is this painted?; green? Or what colour is under the layers of more recent paint.

I can add this photo to my collection for recording and the identification of bits found. There are not many photos of the underside of trucks about. Thanks Seb.

So correct David. I've enlarged the photo and the nature of the springs shows up. Sprags also tend to be mounted lower on the axle. Doug

While correct with the alloy being the sacrificial anode , that will have already happened as the gears, shafts, selector forks etc are all steel. The very brittle nature of the alloy and its powdery external surface is a good indicator of the electrolysis in action. There for the condition of the gears and shafts inside should be good, aside from wear from use. The construction of these mounts could well be a gain to the strength of the gearbox as the alloy weakens and crumbles over time. Is this therefore prevention or cure? The other way would be to construct the frame work out of alloy. Still a variation occurs in conductivity, as the original alloy casting contains some manganese. Doug

Could those be sprags attached to the back axle. They appear as two sets of rods per side. That would point the time frame of construction to be early in the war. The front axle appears to have spokes, the engine is mounded in a sub-frame, and the clutch has a hole in the face. As to a manufacturer, I'm uncertain. Doug

Well done on the great progress! Gives an incentive to work on mine, but first will be the 1916 Leyland. As for the rear axle movement, I can only find reference in my J manuals to latter use of roller bearings. ( revised 1926 edition) It states when at excess of .008 inch end play on the washer packing, then reface the washer to reduce the end play to .0025 to .003 inch. Doug

Some years ago we were put in contact with some people who had some Thornycroft parts, however getting to the parts was not straight forward. A few weeks ago they advised they were home and sorting through the accumulated items. Their collecting from twenty years ago was not from one source so the parts came from different locations and vehicles. Karl proceeded through and picked up the items purchased. A set of front wheels on solid rubber tyres, front axle, a steering box, radiator, a gate change gearshift and hand brake unit and a Thornycroft L4 engine. The L4 engine was fitted into a number of early Thornycroft vehicles, with 1909 being the earliest recorded entry in the numbered build register. These were mainly light vehicles with a capacity up to 50 cwt. The first of the J model Thornycrofts purchased by the War Dept. in 1912 were powered by the L4 engine.The M4 engine being introduced to the War Dept. J's in August 1914. Horse power was increased from 30 hp to 40 hp with the M4, and the alloy crank case was replaced with a cast steel unit. This particular engine was in a vehicle described as a L4 50 ( L4 engine in a 50 cwt chassis) and listed as dispatched to the NZ agent in Feburary 1914. Attached to the exhaust manifold is a paraffin heater, and pipe work to the inlet manilod for operation on paraffin fuel. This engine will fit nicely into the pre WW1 J chassis I have here, however what is still missing is an original gearbox for the chassis.

This photo illustrates the diversity of the trucks history. It has been modified to suit differing job requirements. In more recent years this would be called upgrading. It is just as important to record these changes as it is to have vehicles as they left the factory. Doug

I have likewise been planning the style of fabricating patterns for making replacement radiator frames and a few other parts for our trucks. You have here, a pattern with many difficult areas to force and pack the sand into. Rather than split into two sections, a third section would give better access to the curved base area. Another option is to build up the pattern from polystyrene as a one piece unit and allow it to be consumed with the heat of the metal. However if something goes wrong there is no pattern to repeat the casting with. A visit to foundry staff with the idea will soon indicate which route to take. Doug

The movement by some members towards such a branch of thought on this forum topic clearly shows the wide range of backgrounds and knowledge out there. We are not stuck in little boxes but prepared to view what is about us and comment on these side issues. That is what I find makes this forum interesting and informative. On this topic it has become the origin of the terminology. Informative. Now aside from the Big Lizzie wheels, are there other examples remaining on large items of machinery? Wasn't the same form of track laying wheel used for the 1908 War Dept trials. I seem to recall seeing some photos of the type being used on a beach for the trials. Doug

A few tractors are about with this wheel set up. I'm sure I have some photos of one in the South Island ( NZ)

Like the idea. Was not sending a telegram the way to order parts in the day. Problem now is who would deliver the telegram if it could be sent. Boys on bicycles seem to have disappeared! (Telegrams are no longer available in NZ) Doug

I have a Thornycroft rear axle of the type Gordon describes. The axle castings are bolted directly to diff housing, giving a five piece rear axle. That does have a tensioning strip underneath, however it comprises of two steel rods passing under the diff. These then come together at either end to plate with a separate single rod passing through and mounting to the brake castings. This design is pre war with the chassis I have being imported to NZ around 1913. Aside from the one I have, I am not aware of any other Thornycroft diff housings of this pattern. Doug

Will you convert the drive from this about, with the flywheel to the rear? I assume the gear box is solely a forward/ reverse as for marine use. Have you checked which way the engine rotates, although with a forward / reverse box that would have not been an issue in a boat. Doug

Interesting to view your videos of working on the engine. Please keep us advised of progress. Is there a chassis number stamped on the left front chassis dumb iron? Also any stamped marks about the king pins. I've been trying to relate these stamped numbers to production or series numbers to help date stray axles. Doug

Some where in the archive I'm sure there is a photo of a scene in a village of a truck with laundry gear in it and also outside. At the moment I can't find it. I have looked at Graces Guide however the items shown are too early in time or too late. I have tried contacting the company by email some weeks ago , to date no reply. There appears however comments on some web searches that The Cherry Tree Company is no longer trading, if so that could account for my nil reply. The items provided to the hotel in NZ , and being part of a chain of hotels probably many were supplied, were described as ironing machine bed and another as an ironing machine roller. To be included in boiler inspection records they would have to have steam reservoir or cylindrical cylinder as part of the structure. Otherwise inspections here in NZ focused on the boiler only, although receiving vessels ie air compressor tanks are tested (over a certain size) Relating back to this Forum, it is possible such items were used during the war if only at major headquarters to address the needs of the Generals and associated staff requiring a no 1 dress code. I was hoping some one may know of examples of such plant in some museum or collection from which I could gain some photos of. Doug.

There are a photos about of Sentinel steam waggons with sterilizing cylinders in the back for killing lice in clothes and other photographs of mobile laundry units. My question is to the type of machinery used, in particular that from the Cherry Tree Machine Company Ltd of Blackburn. I have come across reference to this steam powered equipment manufacturer supplying equipment to a Hotel in NZ post WW1, but can find little information on the company or illustrations of the type of gear from the 1920's.

You are correct. The NZ Division captured two German tanks during the battle of Bapaume during August and Septmber 1918. Accounts of the time state the tanks had become stuck in a sunken road The two tanks were models A7V, one carrying the name Hagen while the un-armored supply tank was named Schnuck. Hagen was transported on to England and was allocated to be dispatched to New Zealand. It's size delayed getting it shipped with shipping companies not wanting to have it as deck cargo. As a result many smaller trophy guns were dispatched till funds ran out and the Hagen was passed back to War Office for their disposal. The rotating gun from Hagen was removed and shipped to NZ, however this appears to have been lost ( scrapped) during WW11. Schnuck's gun is on display at IWM North. Information from "Great Guns of New Zealand The Artillery Heritage of NewZealand"; Cooke and Maxwell; 2013

Yes my error. Doug

The model Q is a rare machine. I have seen photos of a few that were imported into NZ, but only know of one remaining, but that comprises only as the front and rear axles with wheels. The Q had a totally different spoke pattern, giving a star shape to the casting. Not aware of any in the UK from Thornycroft Register listings. Can you post a few more photos of your project. Doug

And this morning I can see them!! Computers work in strange ways.

Was there photos to be with this? Again I see no images. I know this problem has occurred before. From other threads I receive the images. Are others experiencing similar problems? Doug

Was there a photo with this posting? Lately I've not seen many photos of your work, or is it a computer problem from this end. Doug

Think of it in a reversed period of time. If those people were to walk into a workshop of today making the same helmets, would they ask " Why do you need all of that?" We all can talk about the activities we have done that are not permitted now! Doug

Earlier on in the week another display of WW1 was opened ion Wellington. This was created by Sir Peter film effects staff at Weta Workshop. The models are 2.4 times life size as can be seen with people about in the background. The detail is so exact from hairs on the arms and fingers to the flies on the food. ttp://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/video-gallipoli--the-scale-of-our-war-exhibit-opens-2015041709 Further coverage of the display and that of a live WW1 survivor. http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/campbelllive/oldest-wwi-survivor-immortalised-for-te-papa-weta-exhibition-2015041718#axzz3YAJBFteb Doug