eddy8men Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 As many of you know in january this year i travelled down to dorking to find a covenanter that was buried there in 1943, the full story is in the "dorking covenanter recovery" thread. the tank is now back in my yard in manchester where it will be restored to running condition hopefully or failing that a static cosmetic resto. we did a bit of work on saturday to clear out 3 tons of chalk and make an assessment of the damage caused by it's wartime usage as a training aide for tank demolition. i was hoping some of the damage would polish out with a bit of T cut but that seems unlikely now i can see it more clearly, however i always like a challenge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz48 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 That is some project - good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoseman Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Well done mate Give me a shout for the hydraulics if and when you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 thanks paul i might take you up on that offer when the time comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 some explosive had also been placed inside the hull and has cracked the floor plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 thankfully the turret basket floor has survived quite well considering the damage done to the armour plate nearby. it is standard british construction using plymax which is a 3/4" ply sheet sandwiched between thin steel sheet with the edges folded and soldered to give a water tight finish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I'm no Tankologist but it looks like a good basis to start from. Good luck and have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 thanks we were working on it today trying to get the box and engine out so they can be assessed properly. most of the bolts came out easily. amazing to think it was buried for 74 years 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 engine and box are now out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 the engine is truly a thing of beauty but looks to be beyond redemption 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 bit more room in the back now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gripweed Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Outstanding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1950 Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 That engine will yield some invalueable spares and patterns. A block of that size would probably repair quite easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 7, 2017 Author Share Posted December 7, 2017 i hope i can repair the engine. it's a great looking design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packhow75 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 12 hours ago, eddy8men said: i hope i can repair the engine. it's a great looking design NO excuses... you have the manual for it ;-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11th Armoured Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) Just by dragging it out of the ground, you've done a hell of a job! Anything you manage with it now is just the icing on the cake. Having seen your Cromwell though, expectations are of course sky-high Edited December 8, 2017 by 11th Armoured Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1950 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 I think that Meadows should have a lovely sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 8, 2017 Author Share Posted December 8, 2017 i think i will get the tank up and running in original condition, the more i see it the more i like it. it's a big job but i'm hoping to get some volunteers to help out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Its a pity I live so far away. Would have liked to help a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 thanks for the offer and i agree, you are a little too far away to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Hi Rick, There is a Covenantor gearbox available, as I mentioned to you a while ago, just found the photos, here is one; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 thanks richard i remember you mentioning the gearbox and although with some work i think mine would be repairable i'd much rather spend the money and buy one i know will be good. could you please message me with the sellers details. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 we've had a couple of days on the gearbox and engine this week. The gearbox has been cleaned and filled with old engine oil and diesel and will be left to soak until we're ready to refurb it properely. it was in remarkable condition and looks usable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 we also removed the clutch and scirocco fan. the fan blades have seen better days but will be ok once the blades have been changed. the clutch has surface rust and some of the pressure spring cups will need repairing or replacing due to rust but i'm happy with friction and pressure plates. remarkably the release bearing was still full grease and turns freely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrev Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Rick I am astounded anything has survived being buried in your climate. I know you said the chalk was free draining, but how does that account for the hull not holding water and being one big pile of rust? Regards Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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