VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

I thought I would show you how you can curve some plate quite easily by hand. I'm bending some 3mm plate 300mm long and it is just formed around a piece of offcut pipe.

[colin jones]

With this method of curving, you can put as much or as little bend as you need. You just can't bend smaller than the host former. I also bend bren carrier front mudguards on this.
Now my sump is bent, I just need to do some cut outs, press the bottom for the sump plug and just make it fit any way I can.

[jdmcm]

So let me get this straight Colin...you are actually building your own transmission case from scratch?...now you are just making the rest of us look silly...shame on you sir!

John

[colin jones]

Hi John, well lets say, I'm attempting to make it.

[Matt Stephenson]

Hi Colin,

Very, very impressive work there. Is there any particular reason to fabricate the new transmission case from steel rather than from an aluminium alloy as per the original? I know that aluminium alloy does cost a bit more than steel, but is there another reason? Structural strength and integrity or just using what's on hand?

All that said, I'm in awe of your work and the lenghts you are going to with your restoration. As has been mentioned previously, most wouldn't be so bold to tackle such a mammoth undertaking, with what most would consider to only be scrap.

Following your progress with great interest.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Colin,

I am amazed by your skills and determination to restore this rare tank. Hats off and !

Thanks for sharing all the pics & info here on MLU.

Regards,
Hanno

[Robin Craig]

Among the many things this hobby has taught me, apart from never say never as someone will produce a photo to prove you wrong right after, is that if man made it man can fix it.

The level of skill people like you put into these projects leaves the rest of us feeling quite inadequate and at times wishing we had taken up bird watching.

I am filled with hope that maybe the game boy generations might stumble upon our hobby and engage.

You have materials and tools and skills that make it all look so easy, once again, I feel very lacking in my education and skills.

Another thread that I am hooked on. Thank you

[colin jones]

Well, all I can say is thankyou but when you look at all the projects that have been completed and shown here, it's amazing. There is so much work and talent behind all of them in so many various ways. I just happen to put up lots of photo's only as a means of possible ideas and reference for others and also for me. I am sure that every one has more ability than they give themselves credit for and worried about the outcome. I'm now old enough and ugly enough to not worry about the outcome if I have given it my best shot. There is a wealth of knowledge here and will also say that EVERYone is just so happy to give their time and their experience to help others and that is what makes this site so good. Not to mention that I am very privileged to have two very rare tanks in my temporary position and they certainly deserve to be preserved. Just to find hand stamped numbers, Words (BOWER BIRD) still visible, that has been hand made is goose bump stuff. You would love to have these machines talk and tell you what they know. By the time I finish these I will be very knowledgeable about the Vickers MKV1a tanks.
Colin.