VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

I have all my parts back from being heat treated. The original final drive is now reassembled and the new one is also getting done.

[colin jones]

That's it now!! I have two complete final drives. What an epic that was, I think I would sooner make another two more gearboxes than one of these. For me! this part has been the most time consuming, intricate and difficult part of this whole project and it is only one of them. This type of work gives me a whole new perspective and appreciation what lengths some people go to for their project. Miniature steam trains, engines, cars, buildings and god knows what else has been restored around the world with hours upon hours but it's all worth it at the end. This is now the end of the drive train fabrication. I will now lift out the engine for the last time and get it running before it goes back in and the final drives can be installed along with the tracks. That light is now getting quite bright at the end of that tunnel.

[Big D]

Outstanding Colin!

[David Dunlop]

Hello Colin.

What a wonderful milestone to have reached!

Do you have an idea as to how much each of those final drives weighs in at? You must be getting close to heat wave season and I suspect that might start influencing your time in the shop. Be nice having a bit more of the grunt work finally behind you.

You will have to record the Meadows starting up again. Be grand to hear the old girl’s heart beating once more after so many years of silence! I shall have a big bowl of crisps and a cold beer ready for the occasion!

David

[Howard]

I'm still enjoying this thread.
I still hate you, Colin Jones.

H

[Dave lean]

Hi everyone, Col has been a bit busy with other commitments lately so not too much on offer regarding the latest works. So I thought I would fill in the gap (as it were) and show you one of the gas firing 303 Vickers that will be fitted up to both tanks. This is a completely scratch built replica in metal ( other than the grips which are wooden) I have had to take one or two liberties with some of the design as some here would no doubt notice but keep in mind that once fitted up, they will stay in the turrets and those minor alterations won't be obvious. Both 303 guns are only days away from testing. The .5 Vickers have yet to be built as I am still waiting on some crucial info that is needed beforehand but they will be ready before Colin is anywhere near finishing the tanks.

[Mike Cecil]

Dave

Nice -no, outstanding job. Looking forward to the images of the test runs.

I suppose that you and Colin have investigated the legal aspects of owning/operating/displaying replica simfire weapons, so would you be willing to enlighten us on those issues please? For example, if Colin wanted to take his tank complete with replica MGs to Corowa (NSW) via Victorian roads, what legalities would he need to satisfy in each state before he traveled?

Mike

[Dave lean]

Hi Mike, As yet these issues have yet to be resolved, We shouldn't have any problems here in SA as we already have a number of similar SFRW's certified by SAPOL. However the interstate authorities are bound to be a problem no doubt. I heard of one fellow year before last at Corowa being threatened by the local cop that he would be arrested if he didn't remove the "broom handle" from the turret of his vehicle.. If this is true then you will appreciate our desire to not display the guns which would be a great pity. Anyway this is something that will need investigating with the appropriate people when the time comes. So stand by for more on this subject. cheers Dok.

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks Dave, that is interesting, and your story about the broomstick sort of mirrors my experience with the NSW police about 10 years ago over transporting some operational semi-automatic firearms between Canberra and Greytown, Victoria, and back again. They would be in NSW for maybe 5 hours each way.

Government-owned (but not Defence), and in a government vehicle. Victoria said go for it, no problem, thanks for the phone call. NSW wanted an application for a ministerial exemption, told us that would take months to process, and were pretty abrupt about it.

The solution, silly as it may seem, was to consign them to a civilian transport company, which are apparently exempt in terms of transporting 'prohibited' weapons if they are packed in a sealed box!! Go figure that one out: I never could.

I'll look forward to hearing how things progress on that front.

Mike

[Dave lean]

I guess when it comes to it there are the stupid, stupider and government officials.....Jokes aside it really is a pain when one comes in contact with some of these people, who - for reasons best known to themselves, feel that they must hinder not help or if they don't know the answer, find it easier to say NO ! And then hide behind the sign " aggression will not be tolerated, Police will be called" Anyway don't get me started.......

[RichardT10829]

came here as i am getting withdrawals, Colin how you getting on ?

[colin jones]

Hi Richard, sorry about your 'VWS' ( Vickers Withdrawal Syndrome) It has been extremely hectic of late but here is where I am. This is the double gun mount inside the turret. It has been rather difficult as information is extremely limited but with help of Dave Mills and the video of the inside of the PU%$#&)(AL Vickers, Photos of the Littlefield Vickers and various other snippets of information I was able to piece together what it was like and fabricate them.

[colin jones]

It was originally cast alloy so I had a bit of a time in the fabrication side. I did quite a bit of cut, weld, grind then cut off and do it again. It was one of those parts that was a lot of trial and fit until I finally was able to get the correct distance for the sight and the two guns. Thanks to Dave Lean making the Guns it made is considerably easier to distance parts out and it fits really well and it all elevates just as it should.

[colin jones]

This is inside the turret so you get the idea how it fits in. There certainly was not much room for two men, Two guns and lots of other stuff which I'm doing as we speak. The Engine and trans is off to a good friend of mine next Thursday. He's a mobile mech and is going to just do the final assembly of the engine, get it running and tuned before it goes back for the final time. So while he's doing that I am going to kit out the turrets with all the bits that make it complete.

[colin jones]

I am after another sight like the one in the mount if anyone has a spare. It is the same as a 25pdr and I have spare white eye rubbers to match.

I have started the Smoke Launchers as well and I will be making them operational too thanks to Adrian Barrell for the dimensions and drawings. These certainly are a very simple design with the use of off the shelf motorbike clutch/brake levers and cable for firing.

[David Dunlop]

Things seem to be progressing at a nice pace, Colin. How are you holding up with all the hot weather? We have lots of -30C sitting around if you need any!

David

[colin jones]

Hey David! yes it is progressing, perhaps not a fast as I would like but our weather here has been so hot which is quite draining on energy. Two days ago we just hit our all time record in Adelaide of 46.6 deg C and in excess of 47deg at the Edinburgh RAAF base directly behind us. I think I would much prefer the +deg rather than the -deg but thanks for the offer .

[colin jones]

While I was at it today I made the .303 ammo holders that fit into that funny pyramid that was a former discussion way back. these fit on the port side and a wider one on the other side.

[colin jones]

I'm pretty sure the rounded end would be for smooth belt feed to the gun. Simple idea and no doubt very effective. I need to get the .5 ammo size before I make the other holders.

[RichardT10829]

Amazing Colin !!! That has helped my withdrawals no ends !!!

[Jordan Baker]

I found these pictures. Thought they may be of assistance to your project.

The last one im not sure if its the same type.

[Petr Brezina]

Simply amazing, Colin!

[colin jones]

Thankyou for your comments.
Jordan, they're great photos and the last one certainly is of the Vickers. It is a later model than mine and probably a Mkv1B but it's all familiar stuff inside and a photo I have never seen before. Can I ask which Webb site to found them.
Colin.

[Jordan Baker]

https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/digital-archive/

Not a lot of wartime stuff. But the quality of photography is awesome.

[Phillip]

Colin,

Just truly amazing work.

Interesting photo of the crew commander, in looking at the photo it raises a question in respect to the sight. Does the manual specify Sight No.41 (or No.141 for Australian production)?

Sight No.141 (25 pdr - on right) does not have any writing in the reticle but it does not have the range drum on the top which is present in the photo, where as other sights in the series do have these drums (No.289 (2pdr) the example on the left) in various configurations.

These series of sights all have the same body but different reticles and adjustments. So there may be a specific sight for the Vickers Light Tank?

[colin jones]

Hi Phillip, thanks for the photos. You are probably quite correct about the scopes. The information I have in my Vickers book says they were fitted with a MK 1 No 24 scope. So if anyone has a couple of those lying around I happy to buy them.
Colin.

[ajmac]

Peter who is restoring an A10 has a No24 site, they were also used on A9/ A10 and A13 Tanks. Sadly I doubt he would part with it.

[colin jones]

All my ammo tin trays are complete for both tanks and I'm now starting the raiseable light that is inside the turret and can be raised to about 400mm. I'm not sure of its purpose but it was in them so I need to make them.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

I'm now starting the raiseable light that is inside the turret and can be raised to about 400mm. I'm not sure of its purpose but it was in them so I need to make them.

Hi Colin,
I believe the raising lamp was for signalling, probably used when it was not safe to wave the signal flags, or in the dark.

[colin jones]

Thanks Richard, that does make sense of its use and why it is retractable.