Sexton 1900 restoration - Page 4

hrpearce · #91 15-07-10, 23:22

Hi Jesse,
It's good to know you have "expurts" to help you over there I would hate to think we had them all

Jesse Browning · #92 11-08-10, 01:50

We took the Sexton to Thunder Over Michigan in Belville Mich. last weekend. Lots of WWII aircraft (8 B-17s, 1 B-24) The 8th AF reunion was there. The airport let us drive on their paved roads. We had it wound out in 5th gear several times, had mud flying, and trailing clouds of dust. Holy smoke, what a ride! The tracks are clean now! Participated in 4 mock battles. Burnt about 50 gallons of gas. Jesse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SH0IPQzKOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmRKmohCdJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npnXR0J7CFc

Jesse Browning · #93 15-08-10, 00:17

It's time to work on the electric in the Sexton.

lssah2025 · #94 16-08-10, 20:11

Awesome work Jesse, my only wish is that it is marked up Canadian or British with proper commonwealth uniforms....haha....I was suppose to be at Thunder over Mich. with the rest of the British Airborne lads, but had to leave 2 days early to get back to the sandbox, will probably try and bring my Humber Scout there next year, maybe I can talk you into a proper uniform and beret by next year...

Cheers,
Lance

David Dunlop · #95 17-08-10, 03:45

Hello Jesse.

I noticed an instrument panel among the photos you posted of the current electrical project for the Sexton and just got a little curious as to what you had been doing for instrumentation up until now? Was this a spare item, or have you developed a very finely tuned sense of hearing when all the mechanicals are in operation?

Hope you are continuing to have fun!!!

Best regards,

David

Jesse Browning · #96 18-08-10, 02:44

David; Several years ago some one described to me what it was like to be inside a radial engined vehicle. He described it as being inside a steel drum while 100 guys with hammers (both hands) beat on the outside as hard and as fast as they could. I never quite understood his statement untill I drove the Sexton for the first time. Your sense of hearing is pretty much useless inside the vehicle. I have a tachometer, and oil pressure guage hooked up, and tied to the front beam. I can shoot the oil return line with my laser thermometer, but mostly just feel it by hand. One of these days, if work picks up, I will have several instrument panel boxes bent, then cut all the holes, and try to sell a few to recover some of the cost. I should have drawings of the box in a few weeks for those who asked. Jesse.

Philliphastings · #97 19-08-10, 04:27

Hello Jesse and again thanks for the ongoing posts.

As someone who is involved hands-on with the restoration of our M3 General Grant I can well appreciate the amount of work required to bring the sexton up to the standard it's now in!

Cheers

Phill

Jesse Browning · #98 21-08-10, 02:08

This is the fourth armored vehicle I have restored. I have over 1600 hours in it, and unlike the other vehicles, have not had one moment of frustration with it. I feel even better when I see the absurd prices being asked now for unrestored Sextons. Most are asking more for an unrestored vehicle than I have in mine. I should have scraped together the extra $14k for the other Sexton where I got mine. It even ran. It ended up going to a museum to rot more in their yard. Jesse.

Jesse Browning · #99 03-10-10, 01:40

We took the Sexton to another steam show last weekend. We got a lot of driving in. It's a real crowd pleaser.

MrBNaylor · #**100** 16-10-10, 15:19

Hi Jesse,

Great work on the Sexton gun, I would love to see one of these shows some day. It's funny, you mention these experts saying about replacing the cam or adjusting the choke or what not.

I once had a guy, try to tell me, that there were no Canadian Regiments, that used this tank in Normandy. As you know, my grandfather's 23rd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, used this tank for their duration of service from Normandy to Germany.

Hope all is well ! cheers !

RichardT10829 · #**101** 16-10-10, 15:36

Hi jesse, what is the item you have just restored... generator ? its looking great buddy, and you are an inspiration to us all !

Cheers

Richie

Jesse Browning · #**102** 21-10-10, 02:48

We've been busy working on the aux. generator, and the electric. All the boxes are rebuilt, and installed, and wire pulled.
Rebuilding the generator and box was like restoring a whole vehicle.

Jesse Browning · #**103** 24-12-10, 01:54

Still making progress. Not much to make headlines, but alot getting done. The electric is complete exept for some gauges. We had a small leak in a fuel tank, so the engine had to come out to repair the leak. It was so much easier to work on the electric with it out. Took care of a few small problems on the engine. Rebuilt the dial sight carrier, oil dilution tank, data plates. We're looking forward to a great year next year. Thanks to all who posted positive comments, supplied information, parts, etc. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Jesse

SDT16 · #**104** 24-12-10, 18:54

Looking Great Jesse!
I am Hoping you still have an extra dash made up I could buy?

I'll have the differential of ours here Shortly!

Merry Christmas!!

Sean

easo · #**105** 25-01-11, 07:23

Wow, its a great looking vehicle. I had a chance to see one move at Bovington Tankfest in 2008.

I hope the link works for you,

Regards Easo

tankbarrell · #**106** 25-01-11, 09:33

That's S-287181, the Sexton I restored for Royal Armouries back in 1988.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #**107** 25-01-11, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Browning

We've been busy working on the aux. generator, and the electric. All the boxes are rebuilt, and installed, and wire pulled.

Nice markings on the ammeter shunt.

Jesse..The mark on the ammeter shunt is a strictly Canadian marking..It is interpreted as the "C" Broad Arrow mark..
The Broad Arrow marking by itself is British military///The addition of the "C" around it,"C" Broad Arrow is Canadian Military..
Not sure if you knew it but thought I would throw it in..It would be really nice to see it marked in Canadian war time markings..The big white star is called the Invasion Star,for aircraft recognition..
and was added for the invasion in Normandy.."D"day..
Great job you are doing..a thing of beauty..
With the Canadian markings I'm sure you would draw a bigger ..more questions crowd..

easo · #**108** 25-01-11, 23:04

There is a Sexton in the Tank Museum here where I live If you want some photos I'll be there today.

Easo

Jesse Browning · #**109** 26-01-11, 02:52

Easo; I'm always looking for more pictures. Thanks for offering. Jesse.

easo · #**110** 26-01-11, 07:05

G'day Jesse, just returned, its not a Sexton but a Yeramba. They are almost identical. I think because the Yeramba is built on a Grant chassis. Can still post the photos if you wish.

Regards Easo

David Dunlop · #**111** 27-01-11, 02:38

Quick question, Jesse. What are you going to do with all your free time once you've finished this wee beastie?

David

Jesse Browning · #**112** 27-01-11, 23:46

Easo; I sure would like to see the pictures. All I have seen is drawings of the Yaramba. David; I am working on getting a facility at the moment. It includes a house in need of rehab, so that will keep me busy for a few months. The Sexton still needs a bunch of detail work/small parts. I have been given the right to remove the parts from two hulks, but they are 10 hours away. That will come later this year. I have also been talking to a guy, who, at his request, shall remain nameless, about restoring 2 Shermans for him. I am trying to book some shows for the 2011 season; preferably non-reenacting events.

easo · #**113** 28-01-11, 00:13

Not a problem, you'll have to excuse the image quality as my camera had to be rescued from the toilet after my sons tried to fit as much as they could into it.

Regards Easo

Jesse Browning · #**114** 28-01-11, 02:03

Easo; Thanks for the pictures. A very interesting vehicle.

easo · #**115** 28-01-11, 07:46

They are very similar in appearance.

Jesse Browning · #**116** 31-01-11, 00:38

I am open to suggestions for unit markings on the Sexton.

SDT16 · #**117** 31-01-11, 01:48

Easo,
Do you have any other pictures of the drivers compartment. From the one picture posted, it looks like the early style of controls which our Sexton has. What is missing in ours, if it is even supposed to be there, is the floor plate around the pedals and steering levers. I have the seat frame but no seat.
Any detail pictures of this area would be great.

I have a thread on here of ours: Sexton #130

Thanks

SD

easo · #**118** 31-01-11, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDT16

Do you have any other pictures of the drivers compartment.

Just this one. I'll see if I can get more.

Wait out, Easo

lssah2025 · #**119** 31-01-11, 08:57

Jesse, I hope you are talking about Commonwealth markings? I saw pictures of it at Thunder over Michigan!!!

You could do what I do, have magnetic signs made up and just choose whatever one you want to use for a event or display. Axholme signs in the UK makes awesome unit/tactical magnetic signs. Plus you can get the stencil ones to paint your S number, stars etc.

I would love to see 7th armoured division (red rats) 5th royal horse artillery.. Then when I come up north with my goodies they would match.
http://www.desertrats.org.btinternet...acts2.htm#5RHA

Or
4th armoured brigade (black rats) 4th royal horse artillery
Same as above, we do this too..

http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=590

or 8th armoured brigade (red fox) 147th Essex Yeomanry Field regiment

Alex Blair (RIP) · #**120** 31-01-11, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Browning

I am open to suggestions for unit markings on the Sexton.

Jesse..
Check this out..
Canadian,,

http://wn.com/Sexton_%28artillery%29