Thanks everyone for their kind words of wisdom. I am fortunate in that my wife is very understanding and that the bruises heal quite quickly (however the bones take a little longer.)
I rely on the maxim of my old Troop Sgt "Its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission"
Wayne, the 25 per looks great behind Pauls Acco. He has done a fantastic restoration on that truck.
Jack, Plates are intact - its a 1942 Carr.
now where was I........
Ah yes, shoved the 25pdr in the shed. The big bits came with a collection of small bits so I photographed all of these and, armed with a spare parts manual (courtesy of Wayne) flew out to London.
Of interest in amongst the parts was a bore inspection light - looks like first version made in Australia in 1960's ish given the F1 notation and the NSN.
Had a great time in the UK, travelled to a few military shows, met some great people and found a lot of the missing bits over the six months. Returned to Australia.
Now I do like to locate the vast majority of parts before starting a restoration as this saves getting stuck and taking five years to restore something. So on return to Australia the hunt was on for the wheels, elevation gearbox and the traverse bracket, all of which had eluded me in my search.
Some phone calls and luck found a Mk1 Saddle that had been gas axed but had the gearbox, just as this arrived (from NZ), I found the correct Mk2 Saddle gearbox and the traverse bracket.
More luck turned up a set of wheels on a farm water cart (Ex; PMG Cable Trailer). Some negotiation involving a set of blitz rims and two cartons placed them in the back of the car.
Yay. Now to start the restoration..