Lynx II, hull # 4225

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

With the engine in limbo, decided to move onto the hull. The floor needs some welding repairs before I haul it off for sandblasting and primer. Rotated the hull so that I can clean and prep the area before tracking down a welder.
The cost of rebuilding the original engine escalated to the point where I am trying to track down a more cost effective 239 engine. Some promising leads. Wish me luck, Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

Being Labour day weekend, there were several events with great collections of old green iron. Only solution, attend them both. Steam event in Milton on Saturday and Coe Hill and the Skyhawks on Sunday. Got to see some fine iron and network with a great group of people. Brian Asbury's "creation" on the Hawk missile transporter is the result of a very fertile imagination. The Alvis Stalwart has always been a personal favourite. Barry Churcher's C15TA and the accompanying White scout car are great examples of their types.

Peter

[Robin Craig]

Can anyone pass the details of the Stalwart owner along, PM is fine.

Another owner is asking

Thanks

R

[Jon Bradshaw]

Brian's creation is a great example of building something from something else. I just wonder what it was based on? Or was it just something he cooked up?
Either way I would love to see it at Odessa next year so I can take a look.

[BCA]

Some Hawk Missile Loaders were sold as surplus in the US about 1988. The Missile racks had been cut off, leaving a running tank-like chassis powered by an M151A2 engine and an automatic transmission. This Hawk/Panzer is based on nothing in particular. There are 3 main plywood modules: main body, front nose and turret which all lift off to reveal an un-modified Hawk loader. The driver position and geometry of the Hawk platform limited the design of the add-on features so a generic tank typical of the mid-to-late 1930's period was created: just a fantasy machine. It was a great opportunity to bolt on a wide assortment of fittings and military accessories that had accumulated in the warehouse.

[Niels V]

Brian isnt the only one to convert a Hawk tractor. Here is one in Denmark made to look a bit like a russian airportable assult gun

[Jon Bradshaw]

I thought with the wheels it could have been a half scale British Tetrarch.

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

This restoration trip seems to consist of two steps forward, and one step back. Quite rewarding when I finally reach one of my goals on this journey.

The hull floor is now all welded together and all the cuts that were done when the Lynx was cut in half have been restored. Feels quite good.

To add to the subject of paint, I have yet to find any evidence of primer being applied when the Lynx was first painted. Since we are only temporary custodians of our old iron, I have decided to use a two part epoxy primer.

I have been enjoying the conversations that started since I posted the picture of Brian Asbury's creation. I hope that Jon will now post some pictures of his replica.

Peter

[charlie fitton]

Originally Posted by Peter Duggan

I have been enjoying the conversations that started since I posted the picture of Brian Asbury's creation. I hope that Jon will now post some pictures of his replica.

I agree with you Peter, but start another string on "Replicas"...this one is excellent as it is..


f

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by charlie fitton

I agree with you Peter, but start another string on "Replicas"...this one is excellent as it is..

I second that. Pretty rare to have a thread not derailed as long as this Lynx MK-II has been going.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by charlie fitton

I agree with you Peter, but start another string on "Replicas"...this one is excellent as it is..

Shall I move the non-Lynx related postings to their separate thread?!? Just say when!

Your ever vigilant administrator

Hanno

[Jon Bradshaw]

I have taken Peters poke and posted some pics in the carrier forum where my original thread was. Not sure if it should be moved to this as it is a restoration/reconstruction/reproduction. Might as well move it. Hanno I will leave that to you.

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

This project is something like that old adage "something new, something old and something borrowed". Massaged the old battered and bent raised portion of the crew compartment floor and "dry" fitted it into place. Looks quite good. Will have to have one mounting bracket fabricated and welded into place. Then on to the fire wall. It will be totally new, the old one is only good as a template. I will try and copy a technique from Rick's thread and include earlier pictures to lend perspective.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Finally got all the little bits and pieces repaired/fixed/replaced in the hull to the point where it was ready for sandblasting and epoxy primer.

Loaded up the hull and transported it off to Darren Green's sandblasting in Desoronto. With luck on it's return it will be mounted on the frame.

[lynx42]

Looking good, Peter. Here is mine being placed into the sand blasting booth.



Look out for the IHC stamp just in front of the windscreen on the right side of the flat or horizontal plate.



Regards Rick.

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

Got the Lynx back from sandblasting and primer, quite pleased with how it turned out. Living in a very rural spot, I am quite fortunate with my neighbours. The Rankin family, have a large farm, and also a great shop with a handy gantry. It made putting the Lynx together a much easier and safe task. Bob Awder, their mechanic, also ensured that I left with all my digits intact.

Great feeling once it was back in the garage to realize that it's the first time in decades that it's now back in one piece. Peter

[Alex van de Wetering]

Peter,

Wonderfull work! I think in the automotive industry mating the body to the chassis and running gear is known as the "marriage".

Keep up the good work.

Alex

[RichCam]

Congrats Peter! You are now over the hump and once you get the engine back in, then the fun starts! Keep up the great work! Cheers!

[lynx42]

Going well Peter, Almost a pity that you have to remove it again to fit the engine etc.

Did you find the IHC stamp?

This photo shows the International Harvester built Lynx Mk.I hulls being married to the Ford chassis. They are very complete before fitting to the chassis.



Regards Rick.

[Peter Duggan]

Rick, Richard and Alex,

Thanks for your positive comments.

Rick, no luck with the International Harvester stamp, in front of the drivers vision port, on the horizontal glacis plate. I did find a second stamp of the hull number 4225, and what appears to be the remnants of an arrow.

With regards to removing the hull again, I'm hoping that with the transmission, transfer case, shifter linkage and drive train already in place, that I can mount the engine with the hull in place. The gas lines may pose a bit of a challenge.

Time will tell the tale. Lots of work remains, but it is one enjoyable journey.

Peter

[Terry Witiuk]

Peter. Congratulations on your progress. Whenever I check the forum for new posts/threads, your restoration thread is the one that I check first. I was thrilled to see your most recent pics....awesome. Very much look forward to seeing your Lynx in person some day. Keep up the great work!
Cheers, Terry.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Peter

Have enjoyed watching your progesterone and the quality of your work. Hope you have a video around the first time the beastie moves under its own power for the first time and again when it is all finished and you drive it. If possible have someone else shoot the video so that we can see the big grin on your face.

Cheers Phil

[Peter Duggan]

Latest,

Got lost on the way to the firewall and ended up working on the drivers controls. Installed a new toe plate, the original was only good for a template. Takes a bit longer bit longer but its nice to be adding parts. Cleaned up the nose armour and with some luck it will be off for sandblasting and epoxy priming tomorrow.

[charlie fitton]

amazing work - if only I lived closer...

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Peter Duggan

Got lost on the way to the firewall and ended up working on the drivers controls. Installed a new toe plate, the original was only good for a template. Takes a bit longer bit longer but its nice to be adding parts. Cleaned up the nose armour and with some luck it will be off for sandblasting and epoxy priming tomorrow.

Peter, You will find that you have to remove the new toe plate again as the four nose armour bolts are behind it and you cannot tighten them up with the toe plate in place. It is also hard to fit the toe plate if the front locker is in place, so watch out for that too.

Regards Rick.

[Peter Duggan]

Rick,

Just wish that you lived close enough where we could share a few drinks while talking "lynx". You are right about the toe plate, it'll have to come off for the nose armour and also for the steering column. Couldn't resist, its just too rewarding to be adding parts, instead of disassembling components.

Didn't consider the front storage bin. The one for my Lynx is completely missing, only found remnants of the supporting braces under the front tow hooks. My current plan is to get the Lynx up and running before tackling a new storage bin. The observers seat also falls in this category.

I appreciate your comments, please keep them coming. Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Doug Lavoie, a good friend, was able to cherry pick a 239 engine from Bob Cantin's collection. It passed the magnaflux and to top it off, Dave Good has taken on the engine rebuild.


Made it to the Acton swap meet and Christmas came early, thanks to Ross and Brian.

Fitted the nose cone/armour to the Lynx, now starting to resemble the real thing. All in all, a great week.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

My friendly machinist did a great job of fabricating new shoulder bolts for the drivers seat mechanism. Dry fitted the drivers seat and put together the steering column and started on a new firewall. Of course I then had to try out the drivers position and found myself in the same predicament as Bob Carriere, and his Cab 11. It makes for a tight fit. Definitely manageable, but it is snug.

[chris vickery]

They grew fellas small 70 years ago! I think the average height then was about 5'6" and about 150lbs

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

With my limited mechanical skills, I've been very fortunate to find some very talented craftsman while tackling this restoration. Don Graham specializes in restoring antique and custom radiators, out of his shop in Frankford. Not only did he manage to restore and repair my old radiator, but he did it for far less than I had planned for.