That's good Richie, sounds odd, but you don't see what many historic MVs look like in the dusk/dark. I have always wondered how well the convoy light works... She is going to look stunning in camouflage, is that North Africa or Italy?

North Africa into Sicily

Well the past two weeks have been a roller coaster, and I finally feel more confident that the carrier will make its debut at the show ! None of this would have been possible without my circle of friends going above and beyond the call of duty ! From the fiddly laborious bits, to detail work, to driving three hours then spending the entire day wiring up my entire carrier, and to ask nothing for it has humbled me completely !!!! I would still like to repay in kind if only people would accept it !

The 17th and 18th were two exceptional days which I will never forget. Bill, Mike, and Checkie rocked up at 0900... All asking "what you want me to do first".... I finally understand what it is like to be a project leader, and let me tell you......no thanks !! It's so hard giving folk jobs and explaining how I want it done....

Checkie and his wires...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psc0cf01a6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psybelelnd.jpg



Lots of the welding work was done by Bill who made a radiator out of a Mercedes sprinter core, this is until I get the bespoke one back from pro alloy, where a pal is making me a radiator in his downtime.....again out of the goodness of his heart !
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps5wrdes99.jpg



I had spoke to my pal Paul who has access to a Hi Ab, and he was going to rock up at around 1800 hours on the 17th.. However I got a call at lunchtime that day to say he would be there by 4pm...... And he was literally there within a minute of his stated time !!! Having just drove up from Bristol, a long day on the road to finish work late and help me....out of the kindness of his heart !
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psn2ixbljy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psf33e5d89.jpg

Service with a smile !
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps15295970.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps35f58797.jpg

Team bluebird pose !
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps9f4ce1e9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psb10b1a28.jpg

And all the hard work has lead to this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psfmqgtiw4.jpg
http://youtu.be/n8OxdXTsA8k


And of course not to forget Shaun Hindle for his time and expertise, and the rest of my extended family at MLU !

If a man was graded by the calibre of his friends, I would surely be royalty !



Started my exhaust cans today but will update that in due course

Getting there !!!!

Rich, You have certainly pulled the "cat out the bag" on this one. Looking forward to seeing her. You done your Grandad proud !.

Hi Richard,
looking good, well done.
It made we wonder when you were trying to join the tracks, if the engine was in, and obviously not at that time, maybe this was the problem, with a bit of weight now on the suspension the track ends may come closer together.

regards, Richard

Engine was in before tracks went on buddy ;-)

Oh well, only an idea :doh:

Managed to fit my repro folding cover yesterday, needs a flash over with paint but it's not to bad for a first effort .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pswt1kwyno.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psjfmgejzd.jpg

And my exhausts are coming along nicely.. Tacked together for a test fit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psyy3okwyh.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pse4ho9hgn.jpg

Custom elbows made from stainless steel.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pst2aan5lb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pspbo6adqk.jpg

Quick update, the carrier took it's first steps today... Many thanks to Shaun for his help and time ! A lil bit more adjusting to do but nowt major a couple of quick nip checks on the brakes before I turned left off the driveway...

http://youtu.be/O4ZXcxg_QSM

Richard, kudos to you on some excellent workmanship!
As I probably told you earlier when you first bought this carrier, I had driven past it many time wondering if it were for sale or even whether or not it was worth it to restore.
Your vision in restoring this carrier should be example to all the naysayers out there that all too often pass up worthy vehicles as scrap or too much work.
I suppose it is our being spoiled somewhat with vehicles that are usually a bit better to start with that guides us over here in Canada to turn our collective noses up in the face of such a challenge.
Excellent my friend, excellent. I trust you will enjoy it for a long time.

Thanks Chris... I will hold onto it as long as my wife will allow :-)

For who ever buys Nigel wards carrier.... It can be done ! Ps I have rivet snaps for sale... Or can undertake the work (shameless sales input alert)

Richard, I have found that getting the wife and/or kids involved with the hobby certainly helps keep domestic peace.
My other half thinks my hobby is "cool" and really enjoys sharing the social aspect of vintage vehicle shows, swap meets etc. The key is to take care of the bills of home and life first and use whatever leftover cash to fund the toys.
Conversely, when the missus wants to go shopping, its a case of give and take; she wants shoes and a new handbag, I'll take some sheet steel, nuts and bolts or whatever.
Being in the hobby long enough one learns to jump on deals that have a potential to turn profit with a bit of sweat equity and legwork.
Sometimes buying up a job lot to gain a valuable piece pays dividends with the swap meet goodies you may end up with.
Keeping an ear to the ground and eyes open has paid off OK for me, knowing what guys are looking for and helping out other hobbyists at the same time, networking etc.
Real easy to explain the pile of new parts that cost you nothing after you collected scrap for months and turned it in at the scrappie for cash, it's like money you never had anyways.
I think the best deal I ever had was the $120 CMP truck that was turned into a $1500 parts truck...
And then there are the times you lose.....

Suberb
 

Rich, That's a fantastic job, you and others have certainly put the hours in, looking forward to seeing it soon. It's great when you take a carrier out on the road, I have found their are two types of joe public, those who wave and most likely think it's a fine machine! and 'the others' who probably think you are some kind of nutter!.

Kevin.

I love the British jargon such as "nutter". Completely explains a lot of things, even on this side of the Pond including myself. (BTW, Sheffield heritage from Grandad.):wacko:

Well done Richie

Looking forward to the get together in a couple of weeks. I watched the videos of yours today, doesn't it feel great? :D

Ben

It does, it does !

see you in the arena for the special carrier/Cromwell get together :D
all this carrier stuff is giving me itchy feet. I can't wait to sell the Cromwell so I can get stuck into my carrier again. you just can't beat them for smiles per mile.

well done for getting it ready in time

rick

Well, had an 8 mile round trip today, which resulted in loss of foot brake and left turn... I pulled the drum off to find there was not much left on one of the pads.. The inside wall of the drum has two patches of pitting from where the brakes had previously stuck to the drums which I fear has prematurely killed off the pads (they are original ones mind) so I need to get some new pads made... All be it they will go the same way as the previous set until I can think about how to machine the hub and put a new ring in.

On a positive note I can remove links etc on my tracks toot sweet ! And can do a hub off hub on in good time too !

Richard,
There is enough thickness on those drums to machine, no need to fit liners. I have had some machined, get the machine shop to do them both to same inside diameter, then send the shoes for relining telling them the new drum diameter, they will be able to calculate the new lining thickness. Done right, there is little bedding in to do.

regards, Richard

Richie
 

Rich, I would get your shoes relined oversize. what did you start off with, half decent shoes?, you will not be doing 8 miles at war and peace, you can sort your drums later, 8 miles was an ambitious run for a first off carrier resurrection such as yours, it's a matter of short runs to iron out any issues, this is 70+ year old components you are stressing. If it comes to it I have a set if shoes we can put on at war & peace.

Richard F, depends what's been machined off before, I don't know the minimum I.d. Of the drum before replacing, but welding a liner on the drum is not common practice and certainly not an option for less than two two weeks before the show. I would put in new shoes and seek out some replacement drums later.

Yeah no time to machine until after war and peace... The drums will need machined though for sure !

Great advice from both you guys :-) The run was easy enough along the roads and great fun :-) most of the remaining shake down will happen and war and peace though.

You don't weld the liners in mate you machine to a known quantity then heat up the drum, you then insert a frozen ring which shrinks the drum onto it, then machine to thickness... This is for Knackered drums with no meat left on mind.

Rich, did you get that '**** me they think I'm a nutter' feeling?

In service they would more likely replace the drum as otherwise there would be an issue with brake linings, keeping parts to stock sizes was the way to go in order to get a quick turnaround. Having worked within the army on vehicle overhauls and repairs I know their way of thinking. So to sum up, probably not been skimmed before. I cannot remember off hand the diameter I had the drums machined out to, but not a significant amount.

:doh:
:)

Richie , you'd can't weld linings in drums!!!!! If it ever failed and an investigation was carried out they would hang you out to dry - not good news for a builder who needs his licence !

Rich, I managed to pick up a usable rear axle in holland complete with drums, when I restored the tank hunter someone Had modified the brake expanders to provide more travel to compensate for worn drums. Neatly done but now replaced with serviceable kit.

Shaun, no no mate it is as per my description... It would not be cheap though... Rich has the right idea, skim the drums then pending on how much is taken off consider over sized shoes... It's not the end of the world kids, "It'll Fix" just after the show when my bank balance has recovered :-)

For gods sake mind Kev don't bin any of your drums until I have done a bit digging into this...

If you take the drum to a brake place they can have it machined and fit new oversize linings to the shoes which they can then radius grind to fit the new drum dia.