VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Hi Jack, no I don't mind at all. I am quite familiar with fully clamping prior to pressing and have done on a few like that on different projects I was having a slack attack🙄 and have to modify that particular die set to press another smaller door with a smaller inset then I will de weld and use the steel elsewhere. It was quite a while ago when you saw these tanks in their raw state
It has been quite a road to get them here but I have enjoyed the many different challenges as they occur. There has been many parts I have made to only throw away because I wasn't happy with them. Of course I never posted those pics And like most, I have spent ridiculous amounts of time on some thing that are totally hidden and then look back and wonder why? knowing full well you would do it again. I know I should have spent more time on these and done it that way. I still have a few more to do so I will make the dies with full clamping and well done on the pressing you did there

[colin jones]

I had to make some smallish type handles so I thought I would show how I got them as a exact tee easily. A small bloc of steel with tow machined grooves as per the pictures. Once clamped in the vise and hammered down they have no option but to be equal. Saves some guess work. I also had to backtrack on my work by removing the rear cover, fuel tank and shelf. I decided to fab a complete new rear shelf for the tanks as after another inspection of the ones I made a couple of years back, I wasn't happy with them, All good now.

[colin jones]

I had to add some extra parts to the shelf as well as thicker material. I have had the engine running and my Mech is going to change the plugs, leads, condenser etc,etc. It is now fitted back in for the last time before it comes back from the dead😁😁. While I have the fuel tank out I made quite some time back I will double check for leaks before I put fuel in it just in case. I will also run the fuel line and secure the tank in also before the rear cover goes back on.

[colin jones]

Still back tracking but also getting a lot of smaller things done including a lot of threaded mounting blocks

[colin jones]

That's almost it! they are now up to even point now along with other parts ready to go back in too. I will be getting the fuel lines installed to both next.

[colin jones]

I made a couple of small jigs to make fuel line stays. I used fibre board so as to not mark or distort the brackets and a slotted piece to put the formed clamps in and then in the vise to hold together while I drilled the hole. In this way it doesn't leave any sharp swarf pieces and every one is drilled in the same place. I have bent the 5/16 Bundy fuel lines for each tank and both are also fitted to the underside of the top plate. A test fit of the Ammo holder bins as well. All in all has been a productive day.

[colin jones]

This is a part I have been putting off for a while but now needs to be done. It is the turret basket surround. it has a flange on the top and bottom and the curve is really critical as the turret basket has to turn inside it to dia and centralization are ever so important. The original I have is mostly there so there not a lot of guessing. I did however need to make a complete curve and solid ring to form the flange on.

[colin jones]

I curved a piece of 40x10 flat so I had a solid top to form the flange on with considerable bracing and welded it down to my bench. I will cut it off later of course.

[colin jones]

This is quite new ground for me as I am not used to doing this sort of work but it is interesting working out of your comfort zone.

[colin jones]

I am really happy so far as they are turning out good. The bottom flange will be another story as it is not parallel with the top one as it follows the contour of the back part of the floor and that is curved and it also has to clear the axle cover too. Might be a few fit/cut, fit/cut before they're done but that's just how it is. There is also a series of mounting blocks that are riveted to the underside of the top flange. At least I've already made them .

[colin jones]

Progress and more progress hot and humid here but getting lots done.

[colin jones]

One good thing of doing two at once is the second one takes a fraction of time of the first. I give the designers credit for the time and effort they took to make this happen in 1936.

[colin jones]

I trial fitted it all together on the bench before installation which gave me a much better insight as to the whole construction system and also why they did what they did.

[colin jones]

The first fit in the tank was a 95% success and the other 5% was sorted out in place. Kleco clamps are up there with a necessity and everyone need some in their tool kit. I was able to drill the components together in place and have them held totally firm without any movement.
Anyway I will be able to drill the mounting holes and fix in place for good.

[David Dunlop]

Fascinating, Colin!

Since that large left side corner plate in your photos is screwed down to the curved top flange you had to fabricate, I assume that is for ease of some kind of maintenance and/or servicing. What does this large plate cover/protect beneath it, if anything?

David

PS: Wish I could be there when you get them running to see, hear, smell and feel them rumbling across the ground.

[colin jones]

Hi David, those pieces that are screwed actually don't come off. There will be a slot countersunk bolt approx every 4" but then there is a solid rivet in-between all of the bolts. I'm really not sure why there are bolts because there is a void underneath that has no access to On top of that flat section is a rubber matting that has to protrude about 1" or so past the int diameter. That rubber is held down by glue and a 1/2" wide strip of ally and that is screwed down around its perimeter. Now the overhang of rubber that is on the int cir will sit on top of the turret basket as that is the same height as the parts I just made and that literally has to be there to stop cartridges and any other small items dropping down and jamming up the whole thing. That will be all self explanatory in the next couple of weeks when I restore and fit them.
I am a bit surprised that void was not used for some kind of storage considering there were three men in there and not a lot of spare room.
As you won't be here to see, hear, smell and touch them on the day I get them fired up, I will video in detail the first battery hook up, power up and movement under their own power in half a century or more.
Looking forward to that I can tell you

[Jesse Browning]

Beautiful work Colin. -11f here.

[colin jones]

Thank you Jesse, I wouldn't know what -11 deg is like, let alone work in it😮

[colin jones]

On to the turret baskets and both are almost basket cases. I think at most I will be able to salvage the surrounds as they are both quite sound and a few other bits and pieces. I will cut replacements for the both but only restore one at a time so I don't lose my patterns. There is a lot going on iside these and there is also three stays that connect it to the turret and that will be fun

[colin jones]

Just as well the shape of each component is quite solid and between the both I should be able to reproduce with good accuracy. It's incredible to see level of lamination in the aluminum and the steel parts are almost perfect. I will be a bit of a drawn out resto for these two parts.

[David Dunlop]

Those are projects in themselves, Colin ! Looks like they may come complete with electrical challenges, with perhaps a slip ring feeding power between hull and turret.

What was the typical crew complement for the turret (food lovers need not apply, I suspect)?


David

[Bob Carriere]

As an Army cadets we use to cram 4 teenagers in the turret of a Sherman plus the commander sticking out of the turret hatch...... we were skinny ....being tight in there we did not bounce around as much as we went over the rough field..... but the rides were short.

A few yeras ago I tried doing what I had done many times before as a teenager while visiting the Oshawa museum....... I crawled from the drivers seat through the narrow opening of the turret's basket,under the breech andout of the commander's hatch..... by then my shirt tail was out of my pants and was almost leaving my pants behind.

The only tank i have been in that was not confining and you coould crawl around inside was the Churchillbridgelayer at the war museum in Ottawa...... the turret basket had been removed for the firing mechanism of the bridge ramps and the sponsoon on each side are huge open areas when not loaded with gear......... mind you sittingreclining on your lower back and driving with some weird bicycle handle bars is really strange and vision like looking through a roll of toilet tube paper.

I have a lot of admiration for the tank crews and the courage to get into one of them contraptions.........crampeds, stinky, fuel smells, hot ......... and being shot at by every one.

Good luck with your basket case Colin.

[colin jones]

I know what you mean. I can't climb in and out of things like I used to but you just do what you gotta do
After de riveting one of the baskets and making the replacement tops, I will be able to get these two baskets back in to top condition again.

[colin jones]

Both surrounds are in very good condition but most if not all of the internals are not but I will use as much of the original components as I can. I'm quite happy with what I have to work with. My poor workshop is in a bloody big mess so I think it's time to clear some mess before I start tripping over stuff.

[Lynn Eades]

So Colin, are they or are they not basket cases? (Sorry, I couldn't help my self )
Btw, have you thought of this? Without a doubt you have to be the most knowledgeable living person in the world on this model of tank. Not a farmer, but outstanding in your field. Well done Colin!

[Mike Gurr]

Colin,
I don't post much on here, usually on the Carrier forum but I do log on every evening hoping for another update on your project. Your work is excellent, I and I imagine many others very much appreciate your efforts in sharing your odyssey with us. Please keep it up and looking forward to seeing the running result.

[colin jones]

Well thankyou Lynn and Mike 😊 I certainly appreciate your comments. No Lynn they are far from it and just as well. I just can't imagine how the hell I would get all this information without these (not) 😁 basket cases and I'm so happy that there will still be some nice original parts back in these little tanks. I think it was mentioned before! How much or the original needs to bee there before its a replica.🤔 Hard one to answer.
Back to business😎 Making really good progress on these baskets as I have made the two floors and did a test fit and it's extremely tight and kept the original shape from 1936.

[colin jones]

I formed the 2mm ally over some marine ply I cut to the right diameter and used my air hammer to hug the perimeter. This is a very good way of getting the right shape and also great if you have to do more than one possibly two
There are a series of cradle type boxes that I am doing too. I reckon about a week and I'll have them both back up to speed.

[colin jones]

There is a aluminium angle frame that is riveted to the floor and is in need of repair. It is made from 32x32x5mm angle and I do not believe that they don't make that size here in Aus any more. The nearest I can get is 40x40x6 🤨 I guess I will have to use it and machine it down to the size I want. At least it's aluminium and I can accept 6mm thick

[clarkray]

Hi Colin,I have just retired after sixty years in the machining and fabricating business(36 years on my own).I also have rebuilt dodges, ford t16 carrier and even built a tank on a carrier frame.I believe myself to be pretty decent worker.But you have put me to shame!I can only wish to be half as good as yourself!Congratulations!