Scout T5329

[kevin powles]

Ben, That just silly! keep the original factory sports mods, you will be wanting to invert the radiator air scope next so you can call it a spoiler............shame on you .

[Ben]

Just a little progress.

Removed most of the smaller fittings in the hull plus the rear axle and main suspension units last week. Most bolts still turn and there has been very little cutting or nut splitting.

The steel for the upper armour repairs has arrived and I hope to crack on with that in the next few weeks using Shaun's patented method of rivet removal, and Shaun!

The two photos show the hull sat up on large wooden blocks which allows for some stability whilst the bits are taken off and the rear plate after the axle and fittings are off. The ring is some sort of sealant or primer and is bright orange, it must have been applied at the factory as it's very fresh now exposed. I've found it on a few components where bare steel parts have been bolted on to the hull. You can still make out some of the KG3 paint under where the heat shields were and the steering fittings in the bottom corners.

Ben

[kevin powles]

Originally Posted by Ben

Just a little progress.

Removed most of the smaller fittings in the hull plus the rear axle and main suspension units last week. Most bolts still turn and there has been very little cutting or nut splitting.

The steel for the upper armour repairs has arrived and I hope to crack on with that in the next few weeks using Shaun's patented method of rivet removal, and Shaun!

The two photos show the hull sat up on large wooden blocks which allows for some stability whilst the bits are taken off and the rear plate after the axle and fittings are off. The ring is some sort of sealant or primer and is bright orange, it must have been applied at the factory as it's very fresh now exposed. I've found it on a few components where bare steel parts have been bolted on to the hull. You can still make out some of the KG3 paint under where the heat shields were and the steering fittings in the bottom corners.

Ben

Ben, That Orange coating you mentioned is lead paint, dont injest it.

kev.

[George Moore]

Hi Ben,
Still planning to get over to see the carrier some time....retirement has left me with so little time, I wonder how I managed to work and do my hobby!!

Re the stencilling mentioned earlier, I enclose a shot of abandoned "brens" in France, there is a whole range of stencilling, the type and various dimensions and weights etc, I would assume for shipping purposes.
These MIGHT be what appears on the stowage bin or maybe not.....just a guess.

Another point, you say the colour under certain parts is the Green G3...looking at the floor, do I see what could be Bronze green ????

I can send a higher resolution if you want ??

George.

[Ben]

Hi George

You can pop over whenever you like.

I have seen that picture. I like the loading stencilling on the side, I'm pretty sure it's the same stencilling on the long tool box on the scout. I'm trying to get a higher res picture of the Capuzzo carriers to see.

There is a little original paint left on the hull. The front lower armour which was sitting in sand whilst it was abandoned on the Australian farm has an almost total covering, this is how I discovered the reg number! The base is green with tones of sand and brown over it all. The only other real paint is in the foot well were it was protected a little.

The best source for a perfect paint match is under all the hull fittings. Fuel tank mounts, rear plate steering units, clutch pivot, battery box. These haven't been removed since factory fitted and show clear signs of KG3 colour, compared to a colour chip from Mike Starmer.

These also suggest that the hulls were painted with no fittings mounted, these must have been fitted as sub assemblies and paint added over the top once fitted.

I think the order of paint finish for the Scout was first, KG3 from factory. Second, based on the Capuzzo picture it had a desert scheme applied before it shipped to Africa (this was were the loading stencilling was added to tool box) it's unclear if this was the early desert scheme or the early caunter scheme. It then had a third scheme applied, probably in Australia were all the original markings were covered. This scheme can be seen in the earlier posts whilst it was on the war bond rally in Perth. It's this last scheme that protected the reg number so well post war.

Ben

[RichardT10829]

Make sure you fully document the reg, I reckon you could get it back on the carrier when registered if you are lucky.

[Ben]

I've got the reg on the vehicle, the makers plate on the vehicle and the contract card tying the two together. If that's not good enough to get it registered I'm not sure what else the DVLA can want.

I've had a chat with them and they think it'll be OK, just need to get the inspector bloke out.

Ben

[Ben]

Hi

Shaun popped round today to drop off an engine. While he was here i put his carrier knowledge (and willingness to hit things with a bigger hammer:-) to good use.

First job was to remove the two pieces of damaged armour. We used Shaun's oxy acetylene method which in my opinion has to be the quickest and easiest way of getting damaged armour off. You get the rivet red hot with the acetylene then give it a quick blast of oxygen to blow the head off. As the rivet is a lower quality steel than the armour it melts much quicker. You can do a whole panel in a few minutes, once all the heads are off you can punch the back of the rivet out with a punch. It leaves a very clean hole and unless you're very careless doesn't damage the armour. The mess left in the photos is the slag from the rivet which comes right off with a stiff wire brush. Photos show the during and after results, lovely clean frame ready for new piece of armour!! 15 minutes work max!!

After the two pieces of armour were done we took out the cross tube and rear suspension boogies. Both only put up a small fight and came out cleanly. A good day, thanks for the help Shaun.

Ben

[RichardT10829]

So when is the riveting party ?

[Ben]

Pretty soon, there's one or two needed on the hull parked next to the scout.

Ben

[Ben]

After removing the armour last week, this weeks job was putting the new bits on. First job was to clean and prime the angle reading for the new steel. Whilst that was drying I used the old piece as a guide to drill the holes in the right place on the new steel. After all the holes were drilled I should have countersunk them all but being impatient I offered it up and using a couple of bolts and old drills to see what it looked like. Very happy, fitted perfectly and using the old part as a drill guide worked a treat. I just need to countersink the holes and it can stay on ready to rivet.

[RichardT10829]

Maystagg cobalt cutters do a good job matey that's what I used

[Ben]

I did a couple of small jobs too. Took the front idlers off. Nice 1938 dated wheel, the axle goes to show how well the soldiers in the field looked after their kit! the wheel came straight off after unbolting the wheel and there was no rust with grease still on the shaft.
A couple of shots showing some of the early makers stamps, dates (1937) and part numbers. These are from the upper engine cover.
I'd be interested in hearing from anybody who has any early dated British wheels for sale or swap. I have some British and Canadian ones to swap.

Ben

[Doug Lavoie]

Ben,
Some where in the threads on the cam plate there was a thin spacer / washer required when putting things together. You may want to check out the reinstallation sequence of the bits. If memory serves, someone went to the effort of installing all but the spacer and had to undue all the work. Not a nice thing.
Doug

[Ben]

I collected the rear axle from Richard Farrant's workshop last week, he was a great help and it allowed for me to carry on with some of the other parts whilst it was at his.
It was in very good condition generally but a couple of bits were broken or missing. Thanks to those of you helped find the missing parts.
The shoes were relined and the inside of the drums machined to match, I suspect the axle may have been serviced at some point as there was an excess of preservative on one half shaft rather than oil but the internals all look to be original. Sentinel wagon being cast into the inside of the drums and 1937 new Hudson shoes, i believe new Hudson was acquired by Girling a little later. A lot of the bolts and fittings are marked with TL numbers and 37 dates. Interestingly many of the components look to be made by smaller companies but all have an army inspection stamps. The axle has the Ford script in the outer casing.

[Ben]

Once it was all back together and painted it was ready to fit it back on the hull. It went straight back on with no issues. While I was at it, I fitted the cross tube. I'm waiting for some bolts then I can fit the leather seal around the ends.
Front idlers are ready to be fitted as well but again I'm waiting for the bolts.

I've got lots of the smaller parts ready but a bigger pile of bits to be blasted and painted. I'll probably try and do a few days of prep work on parts then have fitting days.

It's nice to see bits going back on.

[Lynn Eades]

Ben, that is interesting to see the seal in the diff/gearbox adapter.
I thought that was a later modification.
Has Richard done an upgrade, or is that how it came?
I remember a thread with discussion about these seals, and Richard talked about having seals made. It is a good idea in as much as the lube in that area seems a little vague (grease/ oil falling onto the speedo drive)

[RichardT10829]

Great stuff Ben.... Are you taking the bren and the scout to W&P or just the scout ?

[Ben]

One at a time. Assuming the momentum continues I'd like to take the Scout in 2014.