I have begun my carrier's transformation

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Jon,

Great work on the replica!

Some pictures of the sole remaining "Dutchman" for your reference.

HTH,
Hanno

P1160217_resized.jpg P1160227_resized.jpg P1160238_resized.jpg P1160252_resized.jpg P1160266_resized.jpg

[Jon Bradshaw]

As you guys can see, the biggest discrepancy is the rear end, I left part of the front glacis of the carrier with the tow eyes for practical purposes. Taking that much out of the carrier to make it shorter seemed excessive and securing it for transport is much easier with those to chain to.

The pic Hanno put up of the view port is my next big hurdle. I need to make those from scratch, unless someone has a spare they might part with? Once I have one I can copy them, fairly closely.... Otherwise I will just use the pic and make something similar looking. Much as I have done thus far.

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Jon Bradshaw]

So after reading and trying a few things on how to resize photos I have finally got this sorted. I will post a series of photos showing how I have assembled this to this point. The track jack I made from a modified M113 track jack, it works well, especially with a cordless impact on it.

[Lynn Eades]

Well done Jon.
Sometimes the restriction of restoration can be annoying and I feel it would be refreshing to have the freedom of choice, to do what ever I want.
I am wondering how you tie it down? These comments will either help you or educate me.
Over here the guys seem to tie down the suspension(forward and aft through the bogie wheels) rather than tying down the hull, because the carrier moves too much when they are tied at the tow/ lift eyes.
The eyes might be o.k. to use when the pull is in the horizontal plane, but not pulling downwards.
Maybe you haven't carted it anywhere yet?

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Jon Bradshaw

...

The pic Hanno put up of the view port is my next big hurdle. I need to make those from scratch, unless someone has a spare they might part with? Once I have one I can copy them, fairly closely.... Otherwise I will just use the pic and make something similar looking. Much as I have done thus far.

Thanks for the encouragement.

There is a shop in central US that has made a replica Panzer III, initially with five roadwheels then they replaced them with six roadwheels. I saw their work on a FaceBook group, Panzer Fabrik or something close.

Their techniques for fabricating realistic looking thick armour are worth copying. As I recall, the plate is 1/4" mild steel and the visible edge of the supposedly thick plate is 1/4" bar stock welded one on top of another, and ground smooth. Their keystone finger joints on the frontal armour of the Panzer are very convincing.

[Jon Bradshaw]

Lynn- To tie it down I have made the appropriate eyes on the front and use the rear towing eyes. I have carted it around the city and several hours on the highway with no issues of it moving. I use several chains in a double "X" on the back and then a single chain through both up front with both tightened down heavily by chain tighteners. I use both the "lever" type and the "screw" type to get maximum tension on the load. Both front and rear chains are on about a 45 degree angle so keep it pulled both down and back. I did have it lift a bit in the front when I first started (while braking) so that's why I pull down hard on it. My best thought on the difference would be that the Universals having only three wheels a side, probably makes them more unstable and prone to bouncing/ lifting when braking....

Maple_leaf_eh- I looked at the armour and it appears to be very thin on the originals so I didn't worry much about it. The idea of doubling the edge did occur to me but I didn't. The sides of the tank cover the edge of the top armour so the only place you see a side edge is the front down low. All other edges are top down so less obvious from a distance.

[Jon Bradshaw]

So I have finally gotten the turret rotation gear made and the turret is on to stay. Permanent fuel tank is in along with fire wall and it's all sealed away from the crew compartment by steel and gasket material. Fitted a mock-up of the gun to get a good pic of my intentions. Also made the headlight boxes for the sides. Tough to make them strong but also not too heavy gauge of steel so it could be bent to the shape I needed. Well re-enforced with angle iron and I stood on them with no issue. Also welded on all the turret "Rivets" I think they look great.

[20387774]

Jon-Great work! Did you make the gear and ring for the turret or did you use something from a commercial application?

John

[Jon Bradshaw]

John

I actually used a local fabrication company to cut the gear wheel's on their water jet table. The big one is actually in 4 pieces and welded around the turret ring. The smaller two are mounted to a shaft and bearing I had laying around. Hand wheel is just a round piece of plate with a bolt thru it.
The turret "ring" is actually salvaged from an old FV432 commanders hatch. It works well and I have no issues with it.