VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Phillip, what a great photo. I don't think I have seen that one and it does clarify that the name of Wombat is white on green and not on a black backing. Thanks for posting
The crank is now exposed and all bearings have been removed, inspected and just put back into place. They actually look good as does the crank but I have a mech coming over this arvo to check it out for me. The bottom riser needs replacing and the sump as well.

[stephen crowhurst]

Just remembered I had this photo tucked away, it may be of some interest to you.
Cheers Stephen

[Lynn Eades]

In keeping with what Chris says, the Bovington tank has the folding aerial mount that takes the same base / insulator etc. as the early U.C., with D set aerial. At least it did, in mid 2014.
If that aerial set up only went with the 11 set radio, then that must have been what was fitted originally or at some point. As I recall the mount has been fitted with a later base.

[Mike Cecil]

The No9 (and 109?) uses the D set aerial, I think, but wiser wireless-souls than I can verify that.

Mike

[Lynn Eades]

Yes Mike, It's a whole nuther thing, involving Warlocks and sulphur.

[RichardT10829]

Colin.

This may seem extreme..... but..... I will suggest it and run away...

can you not build up the corroded sections sufficiently to make a pattern to re cast a replacement ? I have no doubt this would be a very long process, but big hurdles have never stopped you in the past ?

looking at the corrosion product, it wreaks of dissimilar metal corrosion. I feel for you matey.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by RichardT10829

can you not build up the corroded sections sufficiently to make a pattern to re cast a replacement ? I have no doubt this would be a very long process, but big hurdles have never stopped you in the past ?

looking at the corrosion product, it wreaks of dissimilar metal corrosion. I feel for you matey.

Richard,
As I mentioned to Colin recently, I believe the sump and its adaptor were made of a magnesium alloy called Elektron, which was very much in its infancy when this Vickers was built. It had a tendency to corrode in the early days, but later developments made it much more resistant to corrosion, just look at all the grey Ferguson TE20 tractors from the late 40's/early 50's that are still around, the gearbox casing was made of the same type of metal. It is very tricky to weld and need to be careful as it will burn. The fabricator that restored the hull of another of the Aussie Vickers MkVIa tanks brought back to England, had to build up the mantlet where it had crumbled away, it was a painstaking job, I think he was using TIG as I recall.
I don't think it was a case of dissimilar metals, but just an alloy susceptible to corrosion or breakdown.