VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Hi all, I haven't forgotten my Vickers but I just had to do a little job for a couple of weeks. This is an Australian 2LB anti tank carrier and it's No 2 off the production line. Probably not the right place to put it but oh well! I don't need to do any more that I have done. I'm now back on the Vickers now.

[colin jones]

I have just done a bit on the other Vickers to get this one up to speed. The sides were leaning in and there was some damage to the centre mullion. This particular hull was buried for quite some time in a dump in Victoria somewhere until it was dug up. The use of porta power is invaluable with this kind of work.

[colin jones]

The centre section was quite bent and I certainly put a lot of pressure on the porta power to get it back to shape. I started with some 1.5" steel rod as a diagonal support but it just bent when I released the hydraulics so I had to use 75mm channel on edge. I think it will be there for a while. This hull is BOWER BIRD. It's still in quite good shape.
I should be able to get it back into shape tomorrow.

[colin jones]

The front of the second Vickers has now been straightened and new parts made.

[colin jones]

The hull was seriously out of shape but I have got it back to a very acceptable tolerance and everything is fitting back on. I have repaired a lot of serious cracks as well and it is not time to turn them both over and repair the floors.

[colin jones]

I took both Vickers out of my workshop, turned them upside down and they're back under cover. I'm getting the old floor off them and replacing with new.

[colin jones]

That's one floor off and one to go. There's a photo of some of the old floor just to show that it is only 3mm plate. Very thin for a tank but great for restoration.