private mw Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 great work well done mate , :bow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 thanks but to be honest i've not done much, just buggered around playing at it, any praise should go to bob and the guys at his yard. i would have loved to have had the time but it's just not gonna happen and besides i've always been a great believer that "if in doubt sub it out" cheers rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Just got back into the forum after a while away and I dropped in on you first Rick, nice to see the old girl on the way back to the land of the living! I remember watching a documentary years ago where they spoke to the Packard team who visited RR with a view to building the Merlin....there view was that RR hadn't got a clue about Production Engineering, each unit was bespoke! To be honest as you know I work in an very old british heavy engineering firm and the grasp of tolerances was patchy at best, right up to the 90s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 you're right alastair they certainly knew how to build them, the trouble is they aren't supposed to be exquisite engineering masterpieces, they're just made to kill. the russians grasped that idea but at least 70 years on we can look back and appreciate all those efforts. as it happens i was thinking just the other day whilst working on the fuel system how many hours it would take to build a cromwell and at what expense when compared to the cost of an armour piercing 88 shell . a sobering thought ! anyway on a lighter note here are a few up to date pics. the control hydraulics are now sorted and are ready for use this includes the clutch, brakes and steering tillers. amazingly everything was in great condition even the resevoirs were full of clean oil, sometimes the condition of this tank amazes me. i certainly think of myself as being very lucky to have got hold of such a good tank (it could have been much worse.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 few more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted October 22, 2012 Author Share Posted October 22, 2012 been a while since my last update and things have progressed a little more since then. the engine compartment is looking a bit more crowded now and with any luck we will soon be starting the engine. the only big obstacle i can forsee will be the electrics but bob has assured me this is already in hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver99 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 been a while since my last update and things have progressed a little more since then. the engine compartment is looking a bit more crowded now and with any luck we will soon be starting the engine. the only big obstacle i can forsee will be the electrics but bob has assured me this is already in hand. Thats looking very nice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter4456 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Yes, coming along nicely and looking superb - well done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydayz123 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Suberb Rick roll on next year next. Regards Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I have thoroughly enjoyed watching this come together and in a way I'll be a bit sad when it's completed as there'll be no more wonderful pics. But, on the other hand, I can't wait to see the video of it moving under it's own power! A fantastic job!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Looking good, nice to see a meteor in the proper colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter4456 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Looking good, nice to see a meteor in the proper colour. Thanks Adrian - that's answered the question I was afraid to ask! As matter of interest, when did the engine colour change to light blue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Originally, Meteor I and III were a green similar to olive drab when new, eu-de-nil was a rebuild colour. Sky blue became the rebuild colour, I'm not sure when, certainly by the early 1970s but I suspect Richard Farrant knows for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Originally, Meteor I and III were a green similar to olive drab when new, eu-de-nil was a rebuild colour. Sky blue became the rebuild colour, I'm not sure when, certainly by the early 1970s but I suspect Richard Farrant knows for sure. Ah, Mr Barrell, you woke me up . My only "proof" on the change from Eau-de-nil to Sky Blue was in an EMER covering Rolls B range engines. Without digging it out, I think the early B range units were Eau-de-nil then there was a change to Sky Blue around early 1950's. Guess this was a policy change on all engine. In an around 1974 I was involved in engine reconditioning in army workshops and most engines were Sky Blue when they came in, but I do recollect some very early Bedford 300 engines coming in for overhaul still in Eau. As the 300 came out about 1952, this will give some idea. I have seen new Daimler scout car engine parts boxed in 1954 and they were Sky Blue. What I would like to know is when did they start to use Eau-de-nil on engines? Just a passing comment, you say Sky Blue was a rebuild colour, it was in fact the standard colour of engines from new in postwar A vehicles, Alvis, Daimler, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I was planning to write that I suspected engines were delivered new in sky blue later on but it was more of a feeling than a known fact for me and I've made myself look foolish before like that so I left it out! Nice to have it confirmed. :tup:: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Smashing Rick. How is the turret coming along? Any luck on a main gun yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 bob sent this pic thru last night which shows the rad with shroud and fan attatched ready for a dry run fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 alastair the turret has had the damage on the roof repaired and is ready for blasting and painting. the main gun on the other hand is without a doubt the biggest single problem i have, there just aren't any about and to make things worse i also need the recuperator. if a gun hasn't turned up by the time it's ready to show i'll probably end up fitting a gun from a saladin or whatever comes to hand, which would look ok with the correct muzzle break fitted :blush: but don't go losing too much sleep over it as i've not given up just yet on finding the correct gun ! the big question is which gun ? do i go with the 95mm cs which is what the mk6 was originally fitted with or should i put a QF 75mm in which would make it in to a gun tank. i guess it will be a case of what turns up . rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northrecce Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Looking forward to seeing this completed. Thank you for sharing the restoration. :saluting: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I think, for what it's worth, you should go for the 95mm. It was, is a Cromwell VI and it would be good to see one running around. It is harder to do properly than a 75 though as the turret front and mantlet are different than a 6 pdr/ 75mm. As for a Saladin gun......:n00b: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I tend to think a 95mm would be the best option too, same reasons as Adrian, but as it is yours and not mine..... As a temporary measure knocking up an externally convincing 95mm with counterweight would be cheaper and more straightforward than a 75mm in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Have you tried getting in touch with Tobin from on here? He has some of his toys in CMV this month, I know he has made replica barrels etc before for people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share Posted October 23, 2012 tobin's a nice guy but i'm sure it would be cheaper and possibly more convincing to get hold of a 76mm from an ex target. or i could borrow adrians until he needs it for his cromwell restoration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 i could borrow adrians until he needs it for his cromwell restoration Great idea, if you go for it Adrian you will get your very own injection moulded plastic chair and digestive biscuit pack (half coated) in the club house, interested? Also a gift card for use at Jacks stylist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I was seriously considering it right up until you mentioned Jacks stylist......:undecided: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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