RecyMech Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Evening all, Sometime early in the new year I'll be starting to gather info for our forthcoming 1/24th scale Matador & 5.5" gun kit. Now, for the Matador we`re pretty confident we have all we need already...it's the pattern makers all time favourite motor & he's well genned up on it. The gun however is a little more difficult. I believe Duxford has one presently & I dare say we could get in there to measure & photograph it to death. But I thought I'd ask the question on here first with the people 'wot is in the know' if there are any other good clean complete examples in private hands anywhere ??. (I have a handbook so far but that's all... Ordnance B.L. 5.5" 1941) The owners of which might be willing to help out with the odd piccy, measurement, advice, info & input ??:cool2::cool2: Any comments, advice etc, truly welcome:D Howard @ KFS http://www.kitformservices.com (lots of vehicles in my collection...trouble is they're all 1/24th now :cry:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Pearson Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I think Preston Issac may have a damaged range recovery one as an outside exhibit at Cobbaton Combat Museum but not abolutely sure....... If he has, he may let you climb on it with a camera and tape measure as kids seem to climb on it with ice creams in the summer! (I thought the IWM one was a 4.5" long barrel gun on the same chassis, not the 5.5 gun/howitzer with the shorter and fatter tube but might be wrong??) Firepower (the old Rotunda, Woolwich) Museum must have one as well? I fired a 5.5 as a cadet in the 1960's. I could not believe you can see the shell in flight (low charge) but you can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharky Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 we have a 5.5 at our place, cant see the boss having a problem with you taking some photos and measurements and we are a bit nearer to you than the cobbaton collection as we are in south leicestershire. Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 Many thanks for both replies John & Sharky. Now then...Sharky...(grins & scratches chin) what you've just said sounds very interesting. Would you be willing to approach 'the boss' & pose the question for me please ? :cool2::cool2: Drop me a line on Howard@kitformservices.fsnet.co.uk & maybe we can tie something up for me to pay a visit & do the deed if the boss is willing that is. Talk to you soon, many many thanks again. Howard @ KFS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les freathy Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Howard, are you proposing other varients on the Matador in the future. I took a few detail photos of a 5.5 at Wand P a few years ago i will locate them and put them up cheers Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 There were a couple at Tilbury Fort. I think they went to Firepower. Alan is the man to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 Howard, are you proposing other varients on the Matador in the future. I took a few detail photos of a 5.5 at Wand P a few years ago i will locate them and put them upcheers Les Les, The more pics & details I can aquire the better....so yes please, put them & I'll save them. Other variants....nothing actually 'planned' for other variants at this stage but never say never.... everything depends on sales really (as always). I know the truck modelling customers will go for it due to the number of Mats converted to civi wreckers, logging tractors, fairground motors etc. Look forward to you pics....many thanks. Howard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamond 981 Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 There are three (3) 5.5,s on static display in the middle of Garrison roundabout on the A518 at Donnington near Telford. As far as i can recall there was no fence or barrier to prevent access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted November 21, 2010 Author Share Posted November 21, 2010 Ohhh poooh....:banghead::banghead: I was at Telford all last weekend for the IPMS Nats show. Now you've reminded me I think I remember seeing those some years ago while reporting as a reservist. Shall bear this in mind & see what Sharky comes back with. Many thanks for the reminder. Cheers Diamond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharky Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Howard, You are more than welcome to come and have a crawl round our 5.5 .Boss might want a good deal on a kit tho but the good thing is he'll get me to build it. Just p.m me when you want to come over welcome to measure any of our other vehicles whilst your at it we have a few to choice from . Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 Incoming !! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 Just a public thank you to Sharky & the Boss at Armourgeddon for making me welcome yesterday & allowing me to photograph & measure the 5.5....Sharky even held the tape measure :-D Now I know where you are & how to find you without venturing into the hell hole know as Leicster I'll be paying another visit when the 432 time comes around....although I did sneak some pics of the suspension while I was there. If you ever get hold of a Conqueror gun tank be sure to tell me first:cool2::cool2::cool2: Thanks all.:tup:: Howard @ KFS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharky Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 No problem at all your welcome anytime as for the conqourer i'm not sure we got one of those lined up just yet:D Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les freathy Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 Hi Howard Afraid i am still trying to locate those 5.5 photos i took at War and Piece but meantime i think you will like this photo taken in Aden of a 5.5 of 170 IMJIN battrey Royal Artillery, i tried to zoom in on the working parts so it works cheers Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 I hope you find these helpful: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 Great Photo's.....where were they taken ? Rob......................rnixartillery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 All taken at Shrivenham. See " a Grand Day Out" thread for the full story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 Les, & GWT, Many thanks for the pics, excellent stuff. There are one or two items present on the gun in the laster strip of pictures that I now know are missing from the gun I already photographed...bits of the sights for example. Crackin job for that alone :cool2::cool2: Now, note the 'u' shaped clips around the outside edge of the wheel rims ??...anyone any ideas what these are for ? Cheers again. Howard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim gray Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Are those clips not similar to those found on the 6 Pdr as well, it may not be correct, but i was informed that they were thier to facilitate slinging the gun for off loading from ships etc. Simmilar to the bedfords and the like having an extended hubcap with an outer disc to loop around. Confirmation would be nice. Regards Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Tim, While standing staring at the 'clips' the same thought crossed my mind....as did them being part of some device to wind the beast out a hole...using crowbars or ropes ?? The thing is though, they are much too light a gauge of metal for any of that & not really big enough. Also the 'U' part of the clips face inward rather than outward....so they would not retain a sling for lifting unless you used only one or two of them at the top & they would surely bend & snap under weight. They are also present on both sides of the wheel...i.e. inboard face next to the brake drum as well. Certainly has me puzzled....but I'm looking forward to being ejamakated agen in'it ! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 The lugs on the wheel rims are for the drag ropes,almost all British Artillery wheels have them. Rob.......................rnixartillery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted December 18, 2010 Author Share Posted December 18, 2010 Rob, Thanks for the input there, could I ask you to expand on that please. I'm really non the wiser.....I'm not doubting the accuracy of the statement, just need a bit more meat on the bones. Do you know exactly how & under what circumstances these wheel clips & 'drag ropes' are used? Thanks. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted December 18, 2010 Share Posted December 18, 2010 No Problem ,Most British Artillery pieces carry as a part of the Gun equipment a pair of 'Drag Ropes'. On the end of the rope is attached one or two short chains with a ring. The purpose of the rope is to manhandle the piece by attaching the ring to a lug on the wheel rim and laying the rope over the top of the others so you get a direct pull on the wheels. You can also attached the ropes to the drag rings on the hubs. Some of the earlier (WWI) Artillery pieces carried a leather bound drag rope.Which I would love to find ! Rob.......................rnixartillery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecyMech Posted December 19, 2010 Author Share Posted December 19, 2010 Rob, Ah, think I'm starting to see the plan.....correct me if I'm wrong.....one end of the chain & ring set of the drag rope attaches to the U shaped lug on the outside of the wheel & the other end to the lugs opposite number on the inside of the wheel. The short chain therefore goes across the tread of the tyre (bit like a snow chain). Thus when a pull is imparted on the rope (lying around the tread) the effort is transferred to the tyre circumference for best mechanical advantage ?? And I suppose you could probably just get half a wheel rotation before having to chock the wheel & reposition the ropes. Am I getting it? I know this is no big deal I just love to understand how things work & what all the mystery brackets & fittings are for (on anything from an ARV to an LMG) Cheers........H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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