VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Both fuel tanks are completed and test fitted.

[Niels V]

Would there have been baffles, in them originally?

[colin jones]

Hi Neil, yes the baffle I made is the same as the original tank I have. I would like to use the original but it is just too far gone with the bottom and rear eaten out but it does give me a look inside to see what is there.

[David Dunlop]

How, or were, the tanks secured, Colin?

I thought I saw an angle iron strip along either the base or back, but that might just have been a form of standoff to keep the tank separated from the hull. Or my eyes playing tricks on me.

David

[colin jones]

Hi David, there are a number of brackets inside the rear well with felt padding that holds the tank in place and another one on the rear plate that when bolted down holds downward pressure on the tank which holds it securely in place. I think the strap you may have seen in some other photos would be one of two straps that hold the water tank in place in the adjoining compartment.
Colin.

[Ryan]

A couple of photos from the NSW library. Vickers in Sydney.

[Tim Lovelock]

https://youtu.be/OgIRcNjtmqQ
Here is a link to a Pathe film, the year in review 1940.
Toward the end is some short clips of Vickers Light Tanks.
Very much enjoying your posts, cheers Tim

[Ganmain Tony]

Colin, I'm starting to worry... no posts for a while.

Hope youre OK.

[colin jones]

Ryan, Tim. Thanks for the photos and film Tony, thanks for the concern but I am all good but the kids are on holidays, housework, cooking, you know how it is . I still found some time to get the fuel tanks finished and had my growing apprentice Andrew doing some sealing for me. (when I can get him away from the screen games)

[colin jones]

I have also done the water tanks that are strapped at the back.

[colin jones]

I had to make a couple of spouts which were made from an old exhaust for the bends and I machined up the tops for the caps.

[colin jones]

Once again you just can't fold from one end as the shape requires a sequence and some had bending as well.

[colin jones]

Both fuel and water tanks are completed as well as the internal fuel tank supports with the felt. I needed to get these parts done so I can close the back in without having to diss assemble at a later stage.

[Jordan Baker]

Looks great and I love following along. I jus have a technique question for you. In post 611, photo 4 what are you using the bead roller for? Is it for adding the hem? Just curious as trying to do that type of edge has been difficult for me in the past.

[colin jones]

Hi Jordan, yes I am, I folded as far as I can go on the panbrake which is about 120deg and then through the bead roller to flatten completely and it does a great job.
Both tanks are fitted but I just need to finish making two caps for them but as it is around 42 deg here at the moment I'm going to call it a day and have a cold beer

[Jordan Baker]

Thanks. Any special dies to use?

[colin jones]

No nothing special, just two flat ones.

[Jordan Baker]

Ok thanks. I'll be giving that a try. I've always had issues trying to get that seam to flatten out consistently.

[James P]

Terrific work going on in that shop Colin. 42 deg .........sounds brutal, what was it with the "wind chill", 40°c ?? You certainly earned a cold beverage or two.

[RichardT10829]

Looking fantastic Colin. Would that be Naftoseal being applied by junior ? Also known as Choccy sauce

[colin jones]

James, Richard, the wind chill is about 45 coming from the north and I did have a few cold ones we are about to get the next 3-4 days of extremely hot above 40 out here but I will keep plodding along. The sealant Andrew was putting on the fuel tanks is aviation sealant my wife bring home from work when it's out of date to use on aircraft but still has lots of time left for ground use. The RAAF won't use any if it is even one day past its useby date. Bad for them great for me .
I have been continuing on the back to get them both finished.

[colin jones]

The wishbone shape part is for support for the crank handle. It swings down when required and the crank handle is inserted and I just happened to have an original crank handle as well . The other shaped part is for storage of a cammo net or tarp.

[colin jones]

The press tooling I made is for the fuel tank cover. It has a dished recess for I assume a soft rubber compound to sit in under the lid. As I only need two of these I never put too much weld on them so I can easily disassemble and reuse the material again, much like most of my tooling. I will get them both completed within the next 2-3 days.

[colin jones]

I have just about completed both the backs apart from the fuel doors.

[colin jones]

The rear plate has some holes that bolts go through and some are tapped. After spraying the parts today they were dry in about 30 seconds as it is pushing 43-44 degrees hear. Not so good working but great for painting.

[colin jones]

And I forgot to post the pictures from the last post must be the heat

[colin jones]

Fuel cap doors are done on both as is the crank handle stays.

[RichardT10829]

Great work Colin. We use the same stuff but we nick named it "choccy sauce" Its primarily used on aircraft fuel tanks as you say, fantastic stuff, the grab quality of it is also astounding ! I quite like the smell of it though

really enjoying this thread mate, absolutely fantastic.

Richie

[Lynn Eades]

Colin, Same sentiments as Richard except that Chocolate sauce is only for Ice cream.

[Tim Lovelock]

Hi Colin,
As always, very much enjoying your progress and thread.
You've mentioned the crank handle above and swing down bracket.
Can I ask, what do you crank with it?
Cheers Tim