.303fan Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 the firms around here did not like it, i found one man to do it... i expect a price of 1250 to 1500 pounds. i rather try and find a enthusiast who knows what he is doing and knows what he is looking at. Thanks for your time to reply. Arjan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andypugh Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 i rather try and find a enthusiast who knows what he is doing and knows what he is looking at. What do you need? I have a CNC lathe and Mill and I am reasonably happy as long as I make a profit on materials and/or tooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 We hadn’t previously noticed that one of the two front spring brackets which are bolted to the front of the chassis frame had worn oval where the shackle pin passes through it. This only became apparent when one of the new shackle pins was trial-fitted. The opposite bracket is still in perfect condition and needs no attention. Our immediate thoughts were that this would have to come off the chassis again, be bored out and bushed. But then we remembered the original half-chassis. This still has the same brackets remaining on it and very fortunately, they are quite sound! The half-chassis is well buried at the moment and the removal of that bracket must wait until everybody is in Devon again as it will require several pairs of hands to get at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8_10 Brass Cleaner Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 We hadn’t previously noticed that one of the two front spring brackets which are bolted to the front of the chassis frame had worn oval where the shackle pin passes through it. This only became apparent when one of the new shackle pins was trial-fitted. The opposite bracket is still in perfect condition and needs no attention. Our immediate thoughts were that this would have to come off the chassis again, be bored out and bushed. But then we remembered the original half-chassis. This still has the same brackets remaining on it and very fortunately, they are quite sound! The half-chassis is well buried at the moment and the removal of that bracket must wait until everybody is in Devon again as it will require several pairs of hands to get at it! Wouldnt it be easier to butter it up with weld, file it approx round and ream it to finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 He did say it's a bolt-on bracket so no big deal. They can always rework the worn one for the next Thorney they build ....:undecided: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 A little more progress. The two chassis end cross members have been cleaned up and painted after the new steel was welded in. These were fitted back into the chassis today – their retaining nuts and bolts also hold the rear hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeePig Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Are you sure you want to build a plain GS truck? http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022938?bt=europeanaapi trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11th Armoured Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Are you sure you want to build a plain GS truck? http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022938?bt=europeanaapi trevor Those dashed cunning Brits - instant automatic smokescreen to mask the guns when you have to move to a new firing position... Wonderful stuff - although the "In full chase" section really needed some rousing piano accompaniment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) I think the Focker pilot either A Died of Bordom, B Ran out of fuel hovering! :-D Wonderful piece of propoganda filming. The recoil when filming real rounds fired was epic! Music probably was supplied in the flea pit. Though in fairness, considering the weight, mechanical contraryness of equipment and limitations, the film crews did a hell of a job. Edited February 10, 2014 by Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Interesting to note the extent of movement on the body of the truck from the recoil of firing. In some shots it appears the legs and jacks may not have been down, as other images show a more stable platform at firing. With that amount of chassis flexing I wonder what the life expectancy of a mobile unit was? The speed between moving along to firing is surprisingly quick, with so many men about preparing the truck. I wonder if this was the normal number of crew or do we have more here for the filming. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redherring Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Also, wondered whether the severe chassis flex causes major accuracy? Perhaps the Goslings will permit us to experiment with their truck when it is finished. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redherring Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Sorry that was meant to read "inaccuracy"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Probably better off playing with the IWM Thornycroft. After the usual fight with very rusty nuts and bolts, the substitute front spring hanger was removed from the “half chassis” and very fortunately, it has proved to be quite sound and only need of sand blasting and painting before it can be switched with the very worn original one at present back in the chassis. A trial fit of one of the newly, but still only partly machined shackle pins reveals no slop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 The new Shackle Pins for the front springs have now been completed. The originals were not recoverable as they were very worn and corroded and mainly had to be cut to get them out. However, there was enough information available from those remains to make sketches to work from, for us to make replacements. Two of the larger size are required for the front end of the front spring and four smaller ones are required for the back end of the front spring. They were all machined from a length of 1 1/4” diameter EN8 which was left over from the Dennis restoration. You will see from the Drawings that there were several different sequences of machining to firstly reduce to the required diameters, to take in the cutting of two threads for the retaining nuts (either 5/8” or 3/4” Whit) and for the outside end to be tapped 1/4” BSP for a Greaser. They are also drilled right through for a lubrication channel, and then cross drilled to meet that lubrication channel. They also have to be drilled for the fitting of a “feather” and for a split pin to go through for the slot retaining nut. Finally, the outside end has to be milled to leave spanner “flats”. Now we have to do this all again for the rear springs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Nice job, what tool are you using to turn the EN8, HSS or inserts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Nice job, what tool are you using to turn the EN8, HSS or inserts? Inserts! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Inserts! Tony I'm pleased to know that, I thought maybe you liked to keep to old ways if possible and had a trick up your sleeve.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 We mentioned in a previous posting that we found that one of the front spring brackets was very badly worn – and that we had recovered an identical one from our “spare” half chassis. The substitute has now been sand blasted and painted and the third photograph of this sequence shows the original and replacement castings so that the wear in the shackle holes can be compared! The first five holes for the nuts and bolts lined up quite nicely when the substitute bracket was offered up to the chassis – but the final three holes – which also take the Radiator Protector Supports were/are considerably out. The fourth hole in this last picture is a mystery as there is no reason for it to be there. There is a “peg” in the original spring bracket which lines up with that hole but it appears to be non standard. Could it be that those last holes were drilled in after the bracket had been bolted into the chassis rail using just the front nuts and bolts to hold it in position, and then drilling right through the chassis rail and the bracket – and also its opposite number using some kind of jig so that they correspond? The answer to this would appear to be to drill fresh holes in the “new” bracket, using the existing holes in the chassis to drill through and to line them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 The new front shackle pins were fitted – through the front hooks as well – and all looking good. Greasers fitted too. These pictures show the rear shackle pins and hanger in position on one side of the chassis for the front spring. You can also see the “feather” and the small slot to accommodate it. This is now ready for its spring to be hung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alixcompo Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Your attention to detail is an inspiration. But your patience has become legendary. I am in awe (still) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeePig Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 What were those hooks on the spring hangers for? To hitch up some horses in case the engine failed or needed some help on a steep slope? Second question - will you be welding up the misaligned holes in the spring hanger from the half chassis before you drill the new ones? trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Interested to read of the difference in hole spacing on the dumb irons. Now I will have to check over the various bits here for these differences! A quick run back over this whole thread shows no clear photos of how the mounts were attached, either riveted or bolted. Early is riveted and one latter ( 1920's) is bolted, but that may well be as a result of a repair from accident damage. My early J (c 1913) also shows a difference in hole patterns to those on your photos. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 What were those hooks on the spring hangers for? To hitch up some horses in case the engine failed or needed some help on a steep slope? Second question - will you be welding up the misaligned holes in the spring hanger from the half chassis before you drill the new ones? trevor No, the old holes will not be welded up - this could introduce more stresses into the casting so best left alone. They will not be readily visible in any case. With regard to the Hooks, then it appears that all Subsidy Lorries - and other military lorries of all makes as well were fitted with them. I guess that either Roy L. or Tim will be able to tell you more about the original specifications that were laid down for Subsidy Lorries to be fitted with them. I guess not only available for recovery purposes for the lorry - but also to assist any horse drawn cart or wagon that gets stuck in the mire! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Larkin Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 The hooks were indeed part of the War Office specification with the War Office even determining the design. Probably the intention was to have a means of recovery, or a place to attach a rope that was easy to get at and minimised the risk of additional damage when recovering from a ditch, or when being towed on a rope. They would also have provided a lashing point for the cross-channel journey. Lorries at the time were far from reliable and with the War office keeping an eye on the performance and development of the motor lorry in civilian life, these hooks would have been regarded as a vital part of the equipment. I think that it would have been more likely that the horse would have helped the lorry, rather than the lorry helping the horse. If the horse was struggling, and they did, then they had already left the lorry far behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiho9 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 excellent thread, really enjoyed flowing all your progress :wow: Now to start on the Dennis one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.