Border Raiding

[colin jones]

Here's a few more pics of the mechs. Just about all the running gear is there and afcourse condition is unknown at this stage. But it is under cover and I will get to it in good time. Must finish the mortar carrier first.
Colin.

[Rob Dyba]

I have got a lot of info from here http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/
I was under the understanding that the lead plugs were particular to the Australian & carried over the Tasman to the NZ carriers, bieng a more cost effective way of manufacture compared to the "english" pins. I was also of the belief that the local pattern track was based on light tank track, however if the track on this vehicle is correct, and I would assume it is, then that would explain Ron's narrow spoked wheels, local carrier wheels machined down to suit "Vickers" narrow track when "English" wheels were not available locally. Probably the engineering required to change the drive sprocket & track adjuster wheels on the rear to suit local track was more effort than skimming a few wheel castings at manufacture, so was the easy way to go. I don't believe english type track was ever foundered locally, LP1's also using the "wide" track. Colin can you get a width measurment of the road wheels on Vickers, so we can compare them to Ron's wheels please??? I think they will match.

Rob

[ron]

Morning Rob,
Thanks for your reply regarding the narrow wheels,I agree with what you have said, I was down in Victoria a couple of months ago to pick up my Met gas carrier,and called to see John, I checked out Colins Vickers tank at the time,I think the track on it is original, the wheels are narrow I picked up a spare narrow wheel next to the remains of a carrier and ran the tape measure over it for width. the rubber was complete in fact it was as good as new but the rubber was hard as you would expect it measured (One Inch less ) than the standard Aust wheels although it was the standard H pattern,The Marmon Herrington carrier that I recoved last year had these wheels but the rubber was gone,someone had suggested this was done by the saw mill owner when the conversion was done after the war ,My question is why would you bother tirning down australian wheels to fit British track when Aust track and wheels were all over the place on top of this there were no Laths or mills on the property to do this type of work, which also requires a fair amount of skil I also picked up a couple of spare British type narrow wheels that were lying on the ground I think what Rob has said is true it seems that Aust either cast some narrow wheels the question is why? or as he said turned some down ? By the way those Marmon parts are looking for a good home if any one needs them,
Regards Ron

[ron]

Hi All
Almost forgot to tell you that the track on the Marmon Herrington carrier conversion was the double ended British type track not that unusual for the time its been over 50 years since the conversion was done,and just think if you can source Marmon Herrington complete drive lines,a small thing like British double ended pin track would have been not a problem, the track was useless and is long gone now, if you check my carrier country pics you can see it,its very important to keep an open mind on these things Colin and a few other guys have proved this,its all out there you just have to look out side the square,,
Best Regards,
Ron

[Lynn Eades]

with all due respect I think your headed in the wrong direction.
That Tank Colin has, has the wrong track fitted to it.
It appears easy to do.Jeff Plowman here in N.Z. owned an LP2A with English track fitted on its original wheels. It chews things up a bit, but it works after a fashion.
You must have seen enough "boch ups" in the bush in the past to know that our fathers did stuff that we wouldn't put up with now.
I'm hope Richard can square this away ,by telling us about the difference in width between the Vickers Light Tank track,and English Carrier track.

Colin. I see the oil filler cap on your engine is very much the same style as the English fuel tank caps in carriers.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

I'm hope Richard can square this away ,by telling us about the difference in width between the Vickers Light Tank track,and English Carrier track.

Lynn and Colin,

This what I can tell you, not having anything to do with the track on the one restored over here, I am going from the official manual;

Mark VI tank ( this is the earlier model, Australian ones were MkVIa )

"Track width 9.5 ins., No.6, consisting of 155 links, 147 hinge pins and 8 joint pins."

"The hinge pin is of steel, formed with a head at one end being riveted over after links have been connected.
The joint pin is of steel formed with a head at one end, the opposite end being provided with a washer and keep pin."

"Amendment 1, Sept. 1938
Mark VIa and VIb tanks

The track is generally similar to that for the Mark VI tank, except that the link lugs are wider apart to accomodate the wider pattern bogie wheel and guide roller fitted to the Mk VIa and VIb tanks."

Not sure if this is of any use to you, but all I can come up with at present.

[Lynn Eades]

Just what the doctor ordered. Thankyou.
So apart from the lead plugging verses full length pins, it's identical, and interchangeable with the Aust carrier track.