Another Lynx mkIII

[Crets]

Unless I'm a member since 2010 of this great forum this is my first post.
I really enjoy reading this forum mainly because the big amount of info that is available here.

Today I came home with a Ford Lynx MKIII that was left in the woods since the seventies in Italy.

There is only the armor and chassis left, so it will probably be a slow and long restoration to get this vehicle back on the road.I will start with the restoration of this vehicle soon and I hope to find some support or advise.


David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A great find, David. Congrats!

There is a long running thread on the restoration of another ex-Italian Lynx on here, I’m sure you’ve seen it.

Looking forward to seeing this project documented on here too.

[Peter Duggan]

David,

Welcome to the fraternity of Lynx owners. Judging by the armoured sponson for the LH fuel tank, I would suggest that you have a Lynx 11, not a Lynx mk 111. On the horizontal surface below the observers position you should be able to find stampings that will show the build date and the hull number. Please post them if they are still visible.

Again, congratulations, Peter

[Crets]

Gents, thank you for your kind words.

Yesterday I also found the hull number back: 779
The Lynx is the version with the metal roof so I assume that the petrol tanks were replaced somewhere in time.

[Harry Moon]

I'll keep my eye ouut for a 38-41 Ford Truck chassis to see how close it is the Lynx1 chassis. Probably more on our side of the ocean. Would need to be heavily modified but I'm not sure you will find a chassis.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

It looks like the Ford Lynx owned by Patrick Tedeschi in Italy. Thankfully the chassis is present, for springs and axles you may have to convert F15A 15-cwt 4x4 truck components. The track width of the Lynx is 63 inches versus 71 inch on the F15A, so you will have to shorten the axles.

Tedeschi Lynx.jpg
Source: http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving...Scout_Cars.pdf


Specs from “Canadian Military Headquarters. Vehicle Data Book (Restricted). 1944“:

Lynx Scout Car tech sheet.pdf
Ford F15A tech sheet.pdf

[Alastair Thomas]

David
Welcome to the Lynx I MkIII fraternity. Looking at the literature surrounding the transition to Lynx II you would think that the Lynx I is useless but mine is just lots of fun. Good luck with the rebuild. Should you need photographs just let me know.

regards,
Alastair
F60S LAAT
Lynx I MkIII*

[Crets]

Originally Posted by Alastair Thomas

David
Welcome to the Lynx I MkIII fraternity. Looking at the literature surrounding the transition to Lynx II you would think that the Lynx I is useless but mine is just lots of fun. Good luck with the rebuild. Should you need photographs just let me know.

regards,
Alastair
F60S LAAT
Lynx I MkIII*

Thanks, I will send you a pm.

[Crets]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

It looks like the Ford Lynx owned by Patrick Tedeschi in Italy. Thankfully the chassis is present, for springs and axles you may have to convert F15A 15-cwt 4x4 truck components. The track width of the Lynx is 63 inches versus 71 inch on the F15A, so you will have to shorten the axles.

Attachment 122006
Source: http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving...Scout_Cars.pdf


Specs from “Canadian Military Headquarters. Vehicle Data Book (Restricted). 1944“:

Attachment 122004
Attachment 122005

Its not the Lynx from Patrick Tedeschi. My Lynx was a couple of months ago placed on facebook in the Dingo group by a guy who found this in a wood.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Crets

Its not the Lynx from Patrick Tedeschi. My Lynx was a couple of months ago placed on facebook in the Dingo group by a guy who found this in a wood.

Ah yes, the one from Erick Perino: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mapl...1534251124928/

In the first photo you posted it looked like Patrick’s, hence my comment.

[Crets]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

I'll keep my eye ouut for a 38-41 Ford Truck chassis to see how close it is the Lynx1 chassis. Probably more on our side of the ocean. Would need to be heavily modified but I'm not sure you will find a chassis.

I have a chassis, the only things that I miss are the axles and the drivetrain.

[Crets]

At this moment the Lynx is completly stripped and most parts are sandblasted. As expected it seems that I have a lot of welding to do.

[maple_leaf_eh]

I commented about your project on a Facebook group for C15TA Canadian Armoured Trucks. There are many similarities between the technologies and the present condition of the vehicles. Although not the same thing, you may find commonalities in restoration methods within that group.

As for having any parts to offer, sorry about that. There are other things cluttering my property, and none of them are armoured.

[Crets]

Thanks for the info!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

I commented about your project on a Facebook group for C15TA Canadian Armoured Trucks. There are many similarities between the technologies and the present condition of the vehicles. Although not the same thing, you may find commonalities in restoration methods within that group.

To be honest Terry, I am pretty sure that the members of said FB group with any restoration experience are on this forum to begin with. I have not seen a comprehensive CMP restoration thread anywhere on FB but on the MLU Forum FB group. Don't get me wrong, FB has it's place but they themselves advise users to post just a single photo with only a few lines of text - that's whats gets the most likes.

Sorry to be preaching to the choir, but sometimes a little self promotion is needed to keep the herd together

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

To be honest Terry, I am pretty sure that the members of said FB group with any restoration experience are on this forum to begin with. .....

Sorry to be preaching to the choir, but sometimes a little self promotion is needed to keep the herd together

There is a chance that newcomers to the hobby and non-English speaking people would gravitate to FB as a first stop. Social media has a couple of major providers, which sort themselves out by age and demographics. More conventional forums like MLU have long established clienteles. And, much better search and revisit functions.

And yes, choirmaster we recognize what you do.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Crets

At this moment the Lynx is completly stripped and most parts are sandblasted. As expected it seems that I have a lot of welding to do.

David, it indeed looks like you have your work cut out! It was to be expected after standing outside for so many years. But most of it seems to be there so it can be recreated. Good luck and keep us posted. Keep asking questions, most of the answers are on here.

[Crets]

From a friend I recieved some photos of a Lynx MKI from the Manitoba Dragoons in september/oktober 1944 in Oostwinkel (Belgium).

phoca_thumb_l_120830 Oostwinkel - Canadese soldaten 2 - 1944_R.jpg phoca_thumb_l_Oostwinkel - Canadese soldaten 1944_R.jpg

[Peter Duggan]

David,

Thanks for posting the period picture of the Lynx and Staghound of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. My interest is the unofficial kit that the crews would carry on their vehicles. This crew looks as if they were in it for the long haul.

Peter

[Crets]

Hello Peter,

Another photo in Belgium (sept 44) from the Manitoba Dragoons taken near Brugges. Can you spot the 'upgrade'?

[Peter Duggan]

David,

Another great period picture. All three are great examples of 'ad hoc' stowage that crews adopted in the field. Hard to tell in the picture but it does look as if the Observers/Gunners seat has been changed out ?

Peter

[Michael R.]

vice