VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Interesting rear suspension system making use of the leaf springs. I don't know of any other armoured vehicle that uses this design. I am very glad I have the wheel station for both as I would never find anything like this around the place. However, I don't have the return roller brackets for the second one. They will be a little bit of a challenge to make too as they were cast.

[Lynn Eades]

Corten type floor going in Colin?

[David Dunlop]

Looks like, apart from the axle channels, the floor framework is in pretty good shape, for the most part just needing realignment.

That is a very interesting rear suspension system indeed. Can you tell yet if the leaf springs will need to be reworked, or any of the suspension arms require straightening? Wouldn't want to see you racing over bumpy ground later on and spilling your tea!

David

[colin jones]

Sorry Lynn but, what is a Corten type floor as I am not familiar with that. I will however be getting both hulls sand blasted prior to putting the new 3mm steel floor back on.
Hi Dave, I am quite lucky that the suspension is in quite good condition and it is all still straight. The frame is OK but a few blemishes here and there and a simple job to reinstate back to good. It is a bit bent but the porta power will do it's job once again. It all looked worse than it really is, so I'm just doing one area at a time rather than jump from place to place. It's very exiting doing these and not something that is common and it's all new territory for me.

[David Dunlop]

Curiosity question, Colin.

In Posts 197 through 199, there appear to be some aluminium, or alloy, bulkhead frames fitted to the internal steel structure. What part of the vehicle are they related to? I am not sure if they define one of the crew areas or perhaps the engine bay.

David

[Lynn Eades]

Colin, I bought a sheet (3mm)of what was called Corten or Cor-ten (years ago) for the floor of my carrier. It was marketed as a steel that had more corrosion resistance. (sometimes used in truck decks) Now it seems to be used more as a paneling or cladding finish where the steel corrodes (oxidizes)and that protects the steel from further deterioration. (no further treatment) It is of course a trade name and so other steel producers have other names for a similar spec.
It just might be a slightly better option than mild steel.

[Andrew Rowe]

Hi Colin, Lynn is referring to Corten. As you probably know there are several grades of steel. Mild steel comes in what we call grade 250 , I think that is (mpa ) scientific jargon. This can come in "hot" rolled and " cold " rolled sheet. Cold being a bit more supple to work with, when bending and forming. Corten is grade 350 , which is suppose to have more corrosion resistance properties in the steel and harder wearing. We use this for building truck decks, etc. Slightly harder to drill , but easy when using rotobroach cutters. Then obviously you can then go even harder , even up to 1200mpa " Hardox" is a brand of steel, but very , very hard to drill and when bending in a brake press, have to bend 30% over as it springs back , this type of steel would probably be equivalent to armour plate. Just my observations, Cheers Andrew.

[colin jones]

David, there is a lot of aluminium in these tanks but what you see there are part of the bulkhead divisions. The part that you see I straightened is the division between the driver and engine. There are two doors with pressings that close that section and the turret baskets and ammo storage areas are also made of aluminium.
Lynn/Andrew thanks for that! after all the years of working with steel I had not heard of that name. I have never had a use for hardened steel with all the commercial building I did over the years. You learn something everyday

[Tony Smith]

Corten is the steel used in Shipping Containers due to it's increased salt water corrosion resistance.

It is now being increasingly used in laser cut forms as an architectural sign-writing material to give a rural/rustic appearance. Your laser-cutting steel supplier will be able to provide it in a range of thicknesses.

There minor changes to welding processes when combining it to either mild or stainless, but not enough to be a major worry.