Sexton hull

[David Herbert]

The only Sexton GPO that I have seen was an extremely early Sexton without the boxes on the rear corners and with a Ram derived instrument panel and steering levers. I am not certain that they were converted from later Sextons but have no evidence either way.

The one I have seen still had the massive welded beam structure that the gun is mounted into but with the swivel hole plated over. If I was building up the one above into a GPO I would not replace the beam as it makes the driving position very cramped and is generally a pain ! There is nothing to say that they didn't get cut out in service unofficially - I know of one officer who got into trouble for cutting a door in the side of his GPO Sexton. He also had a sofa in it.

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

The only Sexton GPO that I have seen was an extremely early Sexton without the boxes on the rear corners and with a Ram derived instrument panel and steering levers. I am not certain that they were converted from later Sextons but have no evidence either way.

Hello David, I take it that was the Sexton GPO which once resided at Pounds Yard (now in the Cadman collection)?

7687351882_938cc33bcd_o.jpg 47942004357_1a8f438699_o.jpg

Other survivors show they were also converted from Sexton IIs:

Screenshot_2020-05-26 Microsoft Word - Surviving_Sextons doc - Surviving_Sextons pdf(1).jpg

Originally Posted by David Herbert

The one I have seen still had the massive welded beam structure that the gun is mounted into but with the swivel hole plated over. If I was building up the one above into a GPO I would not replace the beam as it makes the driving position very cramped and is generally a pain ! There is nothing to say that they didn't get cut out in service unofficially - I know of one officer who got into trouble for cutting a door in the side of his GPO Sexton. He also had a sofa in it.

Great to read about the veteran cutting a door in the side of his GPO Sexton and fitting a sofa. It shows that there is some leeway (artistic license) to restore such a vehicle!