VICKERS MK6B's resto

[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