stanleywindrush Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi Peeps, Been a while as I disappeared down a rabbit hole of french wheeled armour (Panhard AML60 an AML90). Glad to say I re-emerged, but bitten badly by the 'exoticisms' of our Gallic cousins across the channel. I purchased a few AMX's in varying conditions abroad and had them all shipped over six months ago after at least 3 years negotiation - getting armour out of France is a lengthy business... I'm glad to say after an intensive period I have nearly completed the first full resto of an AMX13 from 1958, that had been modified as a 'demonstrator' for possibly the Argentinians, mounting a Deutz air cooled, V8 turbo diesel in that small space at the front of the tank. Here's a brief photo montage of the resto of mine that is reaching an end. If people are interested I will post more pictures and detail, but please note some these photos are to be used in a book soon, so if reused please at least credit me (ta!) I have saved the petrol restos (probably another two squeezed out the 5 other wrecks I have) for another day - but I guess they wont perform like this pocket rocket.. with its 350 HP, twin turbo'd lump. In a tank of only 14 tons - that's relatively useful HP per tonne. I have driven it a couple of weeks ago, and was happy to stay in 2nd! This demonstrator tank wasn't taken up by the Argentinians (although they fitted a similar Deutz to their AMX fleet back in S America) so it went into 'outside storage' for about 20 years - open to the elements. The interior was in a much worse state than the exterior, believe me! This first posts are of delivery and disassembly, with a couple of internal and external hull restoration. The next post will be reassembly... (If you cant wait, check out the resto blog on facebook under 'French Army Reenactment Group') 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packhow75 Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 Nice... think I have an unwanted shell case for one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted May 29, 2019 Author Share Posted May 29, 2019 33 minutes ago, Packhow75 said: Nice... think I have an unwanted shell case for one of these. Hi, I'd be interested in that shell - I had bought a 75mm but it turns out to be a sherman firefly round. Its only the brass shell with a slightly crumpled rim (where the projectile goes) the french shell is about the same length but thinner and tapering along the entire case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packhow75 Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 3 hours ago, stanleywindrush said: Hi, I'd be interested in that shell - I had bought a 75mm but it turns out to be a sherman firefly round. Its only the brass shell with a slightly crumpled rim (where the projectile goes) the french shell is about the same length but thinner and tapering along the entire case. Funny that... a friend of mine bought this for me thinking it was a Firefly case... and it's not. I would be interested in the firefly case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 Some of the latest pictures of the AMX going back together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 Still a way to go, tracks now on and driving though.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 On 5/29/2019 at 10:49 AM, stanleywindrush said: Hi, I'd be interested in that shell - I had bought a 75mm but it turns out to be a sherman firefly round. Its only the brass shell with a slightly crumpled rim (where the projectile goes) the french shell is about the same length but thinner and tapering along the entire case. Stanley, I have some unfired projo's for these, all A/T. tracer has been removed, let me know if interested. Was the AMX with Diesel engine modified by Sabiex from Belgium? I was once many years ago in their factory, where they were refurbishing them for the Mexican? army, a sight to see!! Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted June 22, 2019 Author Share Posted June 22, 2019 Hi I would be interested. Feel free to email me ebarrimore@hotmail.com to talk money and logistics.. Maybe this was originally from sabiex but the diesel they put in for Mexico were detroit I think. This is deutz and only country with deutz i read was Argentina?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronsandt Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 Any chance you might sell the 3rd one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Yes very likely. I have x3 amx13 and two amx vtt still left to restore . Of this, I only want to complete one vtt so there will be enough to make up a couple of full amx13 from the parts left easily.. If you are interested to talk further then mail me. I have a nice early hull that comes from the dominican republic I would say was the best starting point.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Turret now mounted on chassis.. Just fettling / detailing left to complete. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 Nice job, i did see one rusting at a monument in france, birds nesting in the square lampbox on the wing 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Just finishing off the interior, ready for show season this year. In all just over 2000 hours of labour and a fair whack of money - but worth it, as we are all (those that worked on it) very pleased with the outcome. This is especially true when we consider it was our first tank restoration... and working in its tiny confines was described by one chap as like; 'doing mechanics whilst potholing'. Next will be the VTT, but only once we have enjoyed driving/ showing this one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 All sorted, tracks tightening (after the pictures) steering adjusted. Just the remanufactured front canvas turret bellows to fit.. and we are complete. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 It looks great. The Royal Dutch Army had these too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 excellent work, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lssah2025 Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 Very nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0ozs Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Well Done - excellent restoration Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bedford Boys Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 I saw one of these on a pad in Singapore at a barracks we were staying at during an exercise. Hangers behind supposedly held other armour but we didn't get to see any of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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