FAT Fast 17 pounder recovery

[Rob Fast]

this thread is all about the guts of the big 17! Cheers Rob

[Gunner]

Success! With the help of your photos, Rob N, and a bodged pulling tool, we pulled the elevating cross shaft out on Thurs night. The gear wheel was a bitch until we figured out the little removable bar in the arc support! The elevating arc and the elevating gear both are missing a tooth where someone tried to cut away the monument welds. Same for the traverse arc and gear except the traverse gear is worse and is missing three teeth. Hopefully our welder can build up the missing teeth and we can hand cut them back to true.

Took a first stab at pushing the block down. Framed the breech ring with massive 10 inch "I" beams and one inch threaded rods. The 20 ton jack then groaned and nothing moved. We will try some heat along with the jack next week. Last major moving parts to free up are the spades. Then its cleaning and polishing time in order to reassemble the beastie.

Missing bits: we are pretty complete except for some odds and ends. The mops and bags would be nice. We have a panoramic sight for the 25 pounder which can be shared by the 17 but they were only used for indirect fire anyway. We have a six pounder direct fire telescope which fits the 17 pr mount but has the wrong graticle pattern. We need a set of cleaning staves. We have lots for the 105 C3 so we can fake it for now! The funny bill hooked machetes seem to be quite hard to find in Canada and our rivet counters are trying to find a T handle shovel as they don't believe me when I tell them that the Canadian army used both the T and the D handles!

Ubique! Mike

[rnixartillery]

The Hard work does pay off in the end ! The correct direct fire sight is the No 51 Telescope, I may have a spare if I look through my shelves but do you have the case ? this is the hard bit !
I have a stock of Bill hooks and mop bags so if you need these parts let me know.

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

[Gunner]

Hi Rob:

Can you give me an idea of the cost for two mops in bags and one billhook and an estimate for shipping (our postal code is K0A 2EO). I'll have to go to the unit museum committee for approval. Can you give me a price on a 25 pounder ram as well. The RSM wants one to make into a trophy!

Cheers and Ubique! Mike

[Rob Fast]

Just found this No. 9...had to have one because it just fit. Missing forehead leather pad , #41/51 scope, and hind sight on mount. How do you like my sand bag stencil? Cheers Rob

[rnixartillery]

Rob,

you could make the brow pad yourself, its simply a spong pad covered in thin sheet leather.

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

[Rob Fast]

Kind of different. Cheers Rob
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW-2-tank-...item3a8b9c1ae8