VICKERS MK6B's resto

[David Dunlop]

I don’t think that casing deflector needs to be spring loaded, Bruce. If I am seeing the design of it correctly, the bottom edge hinge is bolted to the leading face of the tray itself, and the upper narrow face is bolted to the forward lower lip of the gun barrel guard assembly. The combination of hinges thereby allow the entire deflector assembly to expand and contract rather like a bellows as the guns are raised and lowered.

The odd case may hang up behind the lower hinge from time to time, as Colin has demonstrated, but when one factors in that the vehicle will be bouncing about when in motion, and the guns frequently elevated and lowered, the entire deflector assembly is probably quite self cleaning.

David

[David Herbert]

Yes but they could easily have fitted the bottom hinge an inch higher so there was no possibility of a case being trapped. I assume that the folding 'splash guard' was thought of after the tray and retrofitted, they might not have wanted to have to cut away the front of the tray and weaken it a little but that would have been the best solution. Sorry to say but this is not a very well thought out design. Could it be that the splash guard on the Bovy one is incorrectly fitted ?

David

[Lynn Eades]

The No.10 M.G. is a 50 cal gun is it not?
Bigger shells, same result?

[Ryan]

This is such a great thread.
I love visiting it.

[colin jones]

Thanks Ryan.
I am progressing on my transmission components and need to get some new seals and a bearing. As soon as I get my parts together I will do the assembly.

Unfortunately I have come across a problem with the Meadows and instead of a possible long or worse hold up, I have decided to marry my trans with a Chev 216. As much as it is disappointing to me and no doubt a lot of other interested followers I think it is not all lost if the two are running and not to say that the Meadows could be fitted at a later date. The Meadows is 88HP where as the Chev is 85hp and I am also fortunate, that some time ago I bought a partly restored Chev Blitz with a close to restored engine. This has not been a light decision but I think necessary a one at this point in time. The reason I have chosen the Chev is they are both almost identical in length, height and HP and the Exhaust outlet is on the same side as the Meadows (thanks to Dave Lean for pointing it out to me) and also important is the similar age albeit a bit more later but still a military engine.
The problem with the Meadows is the cam followers are seized solid and are in two parts The bottom part can not come out unless the cam is taken out first and the cam won't come out without the followers moving up and down to let the cam come out. It has been sitting for a very long time and almost bonded as one and of course it is alloy and not very thick. The last thing I want to do at this stage is to destroy the block. I have tried numerous things to get them to move but not even one has budged. I think it is a project on its own and I am just looking at the big picture as they are getting so close to running.
The trans is good and all the gears, shafts, linkage etc, etc are excellent so the operation of Bower Bird will still be the same as it was back in 1936 so I am sorry to disappoint all Meadows engine fans.

I am still heading in the same direction but just on a different road.

[RichardT10829]

Colin, is it something you could continue with "Slow time" ? with a view to maybe fitting the Meadows one day ?

[David Dunlop]

Difficult decision, Colin, but it makes sense. The 216 is a far more available engine and would offer the ability to get both tanks running with matched power trains. You are then, as you mentioned, still able to revisit the Meadows with a lot less pressure, to see how best to bring it back to life.

Have you looked into ultrasonic cleaning to free up the seized cam? One usually thinks of the wee cabinets sitting on the counter in the jewellery shop used to clean Granny’s rings, but I do believe there are much larger industrial applications now available in the automotive and marine sectors that might be worth researching as time permits.

David