I have begun my carrier's transformation

[Jon Bradshaw]

So I have finally gotten the turret rotation gear made and the turret is on to stay. Permanent fuel tank is in along with fire wall and it's all sealed away from the crew compartment by steel and gasket material. Fitted a mock-up of the gun to get a good pic of my intentions. Also made the headlight boxes for the sides. Tough to make them strong but also not too heavy gauge of steel so it could be bent to the shape I needed. Well re-enforced with angle iron and I stood on them with no issue. Also welded on all the turret "Rivets" I think they look great.

[20387774]

Jon-Great work! Did you make the gear and ring for the turret or did you use something from a commercial application?

John

[Jon Bradshaw]

John

I actually used a local fabrication company to cut the gear wheel's on their water jet table. The big one is actually in 4 pieces and welded around the turret ring. The smaller two are mounted to a shaft and bearing I had laying around. Hand wheel is just a round piece of plate with a bolt thru it.
The turret "ring" is actually salvaged from an old FV432 commanders hatch. It works well and I have no issues with it.

[Jon Bradshaw]

So as I look at the list of things left to build for my little project I am stuck still trying to figure out how to get/make vision port covers. Looking at the pics of the Dutchman at Bovington the covers are pretty standard looking. Is there a source for stuff like that? Does someone on here have one to sell me to have a copy made? I could also really use an interior view of the port cover so I can see how it is operated.

[Jon Bradshaw]

I have looked at the Facebook page for Panzer Fabrik, they are amazing in the detail and skill in making their tank from "scratch" a beautiful Luchs.
Mine is not as well known and is not as detailed but I also don't have the amount of fabrication equipment that they do. If you look in the background that is my entire shop!

[Jon Bradshaw]

So I have been away for a while but now I have some warm weather so time to put a coat of green on her. Took the pic while there was still light, finished it after the pic. I think the colour is pretty good.

[Jon Bradshaw]

Anyone have a good working knowledge of the bofors 40mm? I have one that is a bit rusted and I can't get it to move/ function. The plan is to mount it in the tank as a substitute for the 2pdr that would have been there.
The breach has spent the last 2 months in a barrel of diesel and that helped but the main breach block is stuck hard in the open position. I have an operators manual on it and can't identify any parts that would account for it to be stuck.
I have removed the barrel and pushed the barrel safety pin back to make sure it is not locking it open.
I have freed up the trip ejectors and they are not catching the breach block.
I have tried hitting it, using a bit of heat to warm it up and even tried willing it to work...... but it has defeated me thus far.
The only thing I can see from the manual is that the inner sears are simply stuck with rust.... I can't see where the best place to tap on them is and have tried gentle tapping on everything I can see to try to get it to move.
I would also love to borrow some of the take down tools for a day to remove the parts that are free and give more access to the rest. The coil spring is still on it and that will be hard to remove without the proper tools.
If there is someone in my area (Edmonton, Alberta) I can meet with you in the next few days.
I posted the same question in the gun forum to increase the number of folks who will see this request. Don't know how to link threads yet.