VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

I do not know how much documentation on these vehicles Colin has at his disposal, and with many parts missing completely, or very badly corroded, trying to interpret what one actually has and can see, in relation to any existing documentation, can be a challenge.

Hi David,
The Tank Museum in England have a copy of the manual that covers the MkVIA and will do photocopies of it. I recollect telling Colin about this sometime ago. I needed to see it when reconstructing the electrical system on one of the other Australian MkVIA tanks and it was invaluable.

regards, Richard

[Lynn Eades]

I now concur with Richard having seen the pdf,and looking back, Colin gave us a clue when he said the countershaft gear only meshes with half of the little gear (reverse idler) However the trough under the gear is only there for one reason, a consistant lube supply.

[colin jones]

Thankyou Richard, you cleared that one up. I'm happy to confess I'm no mechanic. I had a look at it today and I can see where it meshed from one side. That said, I will re install it back in the same way it came out so it still has its lead in. I was in contact with Bovington but I already have all the information they have. I am also in contact with a chap in South Africa who is sending me some wonderful parts drawings on PDF so I can down load and print. I now know exactly what the turret ball race and traverse box looks like as well. So some of the guess work has now been eliminated. But I still have a lot to do.
Thank you all for your input.
Colin.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Thankyou Richard, you cleared that one up. I'm happy to confess I'm no mechanic. I had a look at it today and I can see where it meshed from one side. That said, I will re install it back in the same way it came out so it still has its lead in. I was in contact with Bovington but I already have all the information they have. I am also in contact with a chap in South Africa who is sending me some wonderful parts drawings on PDF so I can down load and print. I now know exactly what the turret ball race and traverse box looks like as well. So some of the guess work has now been eliminated. But I still have a lot to do.
Thank you all for your input.
Colin.

Hi Colin,
Good to hear you have the information, there is very little about. When you eventually get to the instruments and electrical system, I have found my notes from about 12 years ago and can give you a bit of guidance in that quarter. I was hoping you might have been at Corowa as I had a CD with me with external photos of the Aussie one in the Duxford museum. Maybe if you are interested, you could PM me your postal address and I will send it to you.

best regards,
Richard

[Mike Cecil]

Crickey!! If you are 'no mechanic' where does that leave the rest of us mere mortals???

Compared to your skills, mine - and I'm willing to bet, many others on this forum - are non-existent! The very fact you are willing to tackle such a project is awe-inspiring.

Great job, following every post with fascination.

Mike

[colin jones]

Thanks Mike. I have just done the front main section so I'm just about ready for a bit of a test (ish) sort of fit .

[colin jones]

Well it's looking half reasonable and even a bit like the other one. I have made my line up jigs which will be all in place prior to welding but at the moment I'm just using magnets and clamps. At least it gives me a picture of any trouble spots and the area I need to work on next. In fact the next part is to complete the centre section. The more I do, the visually easier it is becoming to see. It's something that as each part is made, I can see what needs to be done to it or the other part to marry them together. More confident after each piece.
Happy Vegemite, or for those of you that hates Vegemite.
Happy Camper.
As a point of interest, the most versatile machine I have it my mill. There's not much you can't do with one of these. I had never used one before I got this and it just doesn't take long before it get used nearly every day. It is also my drill as well.