Aussie Sentinel tanks

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Matt,

Oberon warming up yet after the winter chill???

The AC1 plate: number should be in the range 8001 to 8065 (but it sure does look like a '7', I agree!). The AC3 was 8066.

The Bellfield AC3 was built on one of the many AC3 hulls cast for the project, but never used. Most were scrapped. John recovered his from the Holsworthy Range where it had been used for anti-armour training. As a consequence, a whole lower side panel had to be replaced: no mean effort on a cast tank hull!

As a consequence (of the hull never actually having been built as a 'tank'), I'm not sure I would include it in the list of 'survivors'.

Mike C

[Ryan]

8072?? even though the 8 looks like a 3. Or is the 7 an upside down 4?...with a bit missing.

[matilda IIA]

Hi Guys

The plate is hard to read, (and I have the original photo)

It may read, AC1. No. 8072 or 3072
HULL No BKH48
AH.F. No 57
TLF&E. _ _ _ . MG, Unsure about this line.
_ K _. 70 Unsure about this also


The vehicle is south of sydney, if I am back that way I will take a better photo !

Hi Mike, Very cold and wet here at the moment, great weather to be in the shed working on a real tank.....

Kind regards
Matt

[Luke R]

Originally Posted by matilda IIA

working on a real tank.....
Matt

them fighting words...lol

[Ryan]

Hey guys there's nothing wrong with 1/35 scale. Spent much time building and glueing and painting. Good to look at but not to sit in, they don't last long that way.

[matilda IIA]

Some photos of one of Johns tanks before the turret was fitted,



Kind regards
Matt

[Mike Cecil]

Well, Luke R, that's the beauty of a democracy: we are each allowed to have our views ... on most things, anyway.

Matt: I'd be surprised if its actually 8072: as I said, the Sentinel range was 8001 to 8065, so next time your at KA's, give it a scrub and see if it becomes any clearer (I'm sure he won't mind). Warmer here today: snows even melted, but it is a grey day. I can't retreat to a tank in the shed, alas, I'll just have to do some more 'paperwork' stuff. How's that hanky? Still looking after it well?

Mike C

[Luke R]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

The Bellfield AC3 was built on one of the many AC3 hulls cast for the project, but never used. Most were scrapped. John recovered his from the Holsworthy Range where it had been used for anti-armour training. As a consequence, a whole lower side panel had to be replaced: no mean effort on a cast tank hull!

As a consequence (of the hull never actually having been built as a 'tank'), I'm not sure I would include it in the list of 'survivors'.

Mike C

I disagree Mike,
It would be one thing if John made a replica hull or modified the hull of a AC1 to look like the AC3, but it still was cast a AC3 hull during the 40's like every other AC hull.
Its like if i built a Spitfire out of NOS.
Is it a Spitfire? yes
Did it serve or have any history? no

Luke