Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[The Bedford Boys]

They came from Ajays and were NOS, in the nice original little ford box and everything.

I don't doubt your logic Lynn, I too figured the rest of the stuff was Ford gear so why wouldn't the boots be. They could still be Ford, just not the 91T-2180.

[Darrin Wright]

Have been busy of late and not posted much progress; however, I have managed to work on the BGC and find other things of interest.
Now to continue on with this story.

The other weekend went out for a drive following up on a lead on BGC parts, went to a farm Nth of Albury and found a M3 Grant, several BGC road wheels and 1000s of 25 pdr limber trays.

The M3 was converted to a dozer and used around Hay NSW and then moved down for dam work. Fitted with a 9 cyl radial, still painted in a 2 tone green pattern, had the blue drab USE W-???? ad T-26051 ARN on side.

The farm had 1000s of ammo trays and had used them to construct all the shedding on the farm. By welding them together in a staggered pattern they constructed the beams and uprights for sheds. There were many left over in the scrap heap, and we managed to purchase 16 of the best that were left.

Managed to buy 2 BGC road wheels, but they were expensive as the farmer still saw a use for them.

[Darrin Wright]

Also on the same weekend as finding the Grant, we wrecked this BGC dozer for the diff, tracks and wheels.
This is for another BGC owners project.

Many old cars on the property, but this was the 1st items that the owner had sold in many years. Some of the vehicles were 1920 to 1930 cars/trucks, late 1930s GMC panel van, first series Land Rover (missing engine), Porsche 928, International Scout, Chev Bel Air 1960s. And a lot of junk.

[jack neville]

Originally Posted by Darrin Wright

Have been busy of late and not posted much progress; however, I have managed to work on the BGC and find other things of interest.
Now to continue on with this story.

The other weekend went out for a drive following up on a lead on BGC parts, went to a farm Nth of Albury and found a M3 Grant, several BGC road wheels and 1000s of 25 pdr limber trays.

The M3 was converted to a dozer and used around Hay NSW and then moved down for dam work. Fitted with a 9 cyl radial, still painted in a 2 tone green pattern, had the blue drab USE W-???? ad T-26051 ARN on side.

The farm had 1000s of ammo trays and had used them to construct all the shedding on the farm. By welding them together in a staggered pattern they constructed the beams and uprights for sheds. There were many left over in the scrap heap, and we managed to purchase 16 of the best that were left.

Managed to buy 2 BGC road wheels, but they were expensive as the farmer still saw a use for them.

Did you get any photos of the cockys construction methods with the ammo trays Darrin? That is more interesting than anything. I love seeing what some people have done with army surplus over the years. Especially the clever people who could see value in what was considered junk. (A bit like us restorers of modern times perhaps!)

[Darrin Wright]

I have started the slow process of cleaning and freeing up the tracks.

I cut down a chemical pallet to form a large tub, then filled it with citric acid (swimming pool de-rusting & cleaning powder) and water. The instructions stated 100g of powder to 10 000Lt of water. So in went 1,25kg of powder to 120Lt of water. Instructions are a guide only.

This has allowed the tracks to soak and the rust has disappeared.
Pulled the roll of track out and pressure cleaned it to remove rust scale and sediment, turned the roll over and placed it back in.

Back breaking work rolling and un rolling track.

After several days soaking it was laid out again, pressure cleaned and allowed to dry.
After 3 days of drying in the sun, I then coated it with a kill-rust paint in matt black.
I have 2 NOS track links to join the roll back together, making 176 links for one side.

The other side of track is now soaking.

[Darrin Wright]

Have been busy working on the bogie suspension units, stripping them down, getting them sandblasted, undercoat & green. Everything is in very good condition and free.

Then the rewarding task is to assemble them onto the hull, then install the road wheels; otherwise they are too heavy to move. Required the muscle of a friend to assist with this task.

Have installed new bearings into the smaller return wheel, as those bearings were worn. The main bearings in the road wheels faired better, and nearly all have been re-used.

The right suspension unit is now mounted to the hull.

I have installed the 5 spoke 'C' spoke wheel, dated 1941, into its original position. Installed new seals and repacked all the hubs with grease, also installed new grease nipples and bleeders (where fitted as this was a modification mid war).

Nearly ready to install the left suspension unit.

[Darrin Wright]

Some time ago I had new fuel tanks manufactured, this week I salvaged the old fuel tank drain fittings from the wreck and sand blasted them.
They came up really good, so with those and the other fittings I started to rivet them into the tanks.
Utilised old style cold rivets that I have collected over time.

See the pics for progress.

The only item I require is to have 2 steel rings cut for the mount for the fuel pick up fittings; and will look at getting them cut during the week.

[Darrin Wright]

Sad, but the wreck had to go.
Only after all items that I and friends could salvage from it.

It is now off to China via Sims Metals....

Wife is happy that we have the driveway back again.