VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Hello one and all. I thought I better get a start on the Vickers so I got them into the workshop for a inspection and evaluation. Definitely a challenge.

[colin jones]

Between the two tanks I have close to enough info to do accurate rebuilds.
Not sure what the problem is but I can't download anymore pictures so I'll try again a bit later.
Colin.

[Lynn Eades]

Great to see you getting into it. Colin. I look forward to seeing the progress.

[Rob Dyba]

Glad they are in your hands Colin, and glad they are in your workshop down under. I am sure we are yet to see your best work yet!!!! ..... Rob

[colin jones]

Hi Lynn, yes it is about time these were done and Rob I will do the best I can to make these come back to life again.
Having a good look at them today and removing a few parts they look to be in quite reasonable condition. I'm very lucky to have so many parts. I have a complete engine, trans, clutch/braking system, fuel tank, drivers seat, gunners seat and foot rests, turret baskets, pedals and linkage bogies for both tanks thanks to Luke, original crank handle and some of the aluminium work in both.
All in all a great lot to start with. I have taken a hundred or more photos so far so it will be very well documented during the entire process. If anyone has a contact a Pucka that would be very helpful as I certainly need a visit there.
Colin

[colin jones]

A couple of the seats and I have a complete radiator as well.

[Ben]

Looking forward to seeing your progress, very envious.

Ben

[eddy8men]

a rare beast for sure. good luck with the resto

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Colin,
I see you are making a start on Wombat, you can just see the original UK registration number on front glasis plate, BMM978. It should have engine number S9469. Hope you will retain the Meadows engine in the restoration.

regards, Richard

[colin jones]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hi Colin,
I see you are making a start on Wombat, you can just see the original UK registration number on front glasis plate, BMM978. It should have engine number S9469. Hope you will retain the Meadows engine in the restoration.

regards, Richard

Hi Richard, I'm curious here. On Wombat I have the front glasis plate with the number 978 but the engine number S9466 which from what I can find is Kangaroo. Would this be a mistake in the paperwork information as I could not imagine the army would swap engines.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Hi Richard, I'm curious here. On Wombat I have the front glasis plate with the number 978 but the engine number S9466 which from what I can find is Kangaroo. Would this be a mistake in the paperwork information as I could not imagine the army would swap engines.

Hi Colin,
That information came from AWM vehicle number records. It could be that a glasis plate has been switched at some point. The 978 number was a British civil registration number and not used once it arrived in Australian service. An engine could have been switched, if they were struggling to keep the vehicles operational. There were 5 based in Victoria and 5 in NSW

regards, Richard

[Mike Cecil]

And all concentrated at the AFV School when it opened at Pucka in 1941.

With the degree of usage, I would not doubt that the engines were removed when worn, rebuilt, and re-issued, same as any other AFV, so it is quite possible to have the engine in this vehicle being one that is recorded as having arrived in Australia in another vehicle. With such a small purchase, I doubt there were too many spare engines purchased, if any.

The Centurion situation is a case in point: engines in tanks that arrived in Aust in 1951/52 pop up in other tanks over the years, having been removed, refurbished, and re-issued, some several times. While a much larger pool, and over a much longer period of time, it still illustrates the point. Hence, engine numbers are not the ideal way to make a positive identification: hull numbers and glacis plate markings are more reliable, as a change over of the front glacis plate is far less likely.

Mike