FAT Fast 17 pounder recovery

[rob love]

Good info, then I am sure the ones I saw at Ribtor's were the P59 then, as they had metal cradles for the rounds.

[Rob Fast]

Can anybody help me out with pics of the cleaner canteen's on the inside/front right of shield? Are they out there? Cheers Rob

[rnixartillery]

Rob,

The basket holds two canvass mop bags, attached is a pic of my gun with the bags in place. I have some of these (somewhere) if you need a couple.

That sight assembly looks familiar, now in its rightful place !

Do you have the steel direct fire case ? these are usually tricky to find these days.
Looking Great

Rob..................rnixartillery.

[Rob Fast]

I am missing everything on the inside of shield. Do you know what diameter/length the drag ropes were? Any pics of the hardware on the ropes? Cheers Rob

[Gunner]

Greetings Robs and other 17 pounder aficionados:

The 30 RCA gun is part way through tear down with success achieved last week in pressing out the breech operating cross shaft. Tomorrow night we tackle pushing the breech block out.

The biggest headache is removing the elevating mechanism shaft (number 37 in the parts diagram you posted Rob F). The gear has rusted to the shaft. Any suggestions on removing it without causing more damage?

I'll try to post photos of the gun so far.

Rob Nixon- I notice your breech operating lever is missing the top six inches or so. If you need it copied I can see if my welder chap can make it for you.

Cheers and Ubique! Mike

[rnixartillery]

Hi Mike,

How are things with you ? The elevation shaft that runs through the front of the saddle takes a bit of gentle persuasion . I assume the elevation works so it turns inside the Tube ? I have removed two of these shafts in the past and neither were easy, plenty of heat required !

Thanks for the offer of the hand grip but I have one just not got round to fitting it.

Rob.................rnixartillery.

[Gunner]

Hi Rob: I'm well but up way past my bedtime. I'm hoping to pay another visit soon but cannot decide if I will come for the D Day show or the Market Garden show later on. I have an invitation from Mike either way. We have to get a contingent of you Britons over here to see us Colonials and our toys!

The gear is frozen into the wide spot in the support tube due to an accumulation of sand, rust, pine needles and other grunge. I hope to free it to rotate before trying to pull the shaft. Can't see how to heat the gear evenly in that wide spot unless I can get the beast to rotate. Another little headache is the odd two bolts holding the traverse handwheel box to the gun. These are the two with slots in them and almost no exposed head go get a socket onto. Ahh the joys of rusty old cannon!

Cheers and Ubique! Mike

[T17E1]

Evening Gentlemen! I have spent the day labouring on my 17 Pounders braking system in prep for a trip to Arnhem in September. Nearly there with the brakes now I have fathomed the US Warner electric system and that exposed metal on the pads is normal and does not mean that they are worn out! Having been pushed down a long hill last year in the Portee by the gun, even with the hand brakes pulled on I have realised that working brakes are a must for this trip.

I am looking for a few small parts to complete my gun. Does anyone have the traverse wheel firing pad and the linkage that slides on the traverse wheel shaft to fire the gun? I have a spare sight base if anyone needs one, It has the pad but the leather cover needs repair. Rgds. Tobin.