Armour Dreams

[Mike Moran]

When I worked in a polyurethane shop (Redwood Plastics) back in the 90's, one of the services was rebuilding non pneumatic forklift wheels and industrial drive wheels / idlers. After sandblasting the mating surface of the hubs we would coat the outside diameter with a bonding agent called Thixon, or maybe Thickson. This corrected durability problems with our previously remanufactured wheels. You don't want your wheels to peel their pads.

[Jonathan Moore]

Good point Mike, I will check with the manufacturers on Monday.

As far as I can remember they said to shot blast, dip in 20% Phosphoric Acid and then ensure that the component is thoroughly dry before pouring.

Jon

[Chris Abraham]

Its a phosphate finish its what they use in the gun trade to parkerize weapons or tools and spanners, its also used in the paint trade so you don't have to use a chemical primer. The phosphate process gives the surface a microscopic pourus finish so either oil or paint will soak into the surface, the same applies to using the chemical you are using. Its a simple process just boil up the solution, dip your blasted metal part, wash off, dry with a hot air gun and you are ready to paint, oil etc.

[Jonathan Moore]

Thanks Chris.

Evening,



The steel tow cables and the D shackles turned up, I ordered 18mm diameter tow cables which are each rated at 4.1 tons. There seems to be a number of ways in which the cables were carried on the front of the tanks in period pictures, in fact there doesn't appear to be a standard to how many cables are carried at all. Some pictures show just a single cable, some have two cables, some appear to be about 18mm in diameter, whereas some look a lot smaller and there are even some pictures showing what appears to be some carrying tow ropes.

I decided, in the end, not to add extra bands around the circumference of the hub but instead to machine a series of small grooves into the surface to help the polyurethane adhere.

That's all folks,



Jon

[Jonathan Moore]

Evening All,

Manufacturing the radio operators seat was next on the list, the only picture that I could find of it is this one and I think that this is a pre-production version but it's better than nothing. This is my version.

[Jonathan Moore]

It can fit in two positions but personally, I wouldn't want to be in either, as it is so very cramped and how you would get out in an emergency is any ones guess.
I don't think that you can appreciate just how little room there is inside this tank until the upper hull and turret are in place, it must have been hell in the European theatre, I can't imagine what it was like in the heat of North Africa.



That's all for now.



Jon

[David Dunlop]

Hi Jon.

Wow! Snug! I guess if one crew member farted, they all said ‘excuse me’, just to be on the safe side.

Is the Wireless Operator located aft of the turret basket assembly? That would suggest either a rear deck access hatch, or access via the turret, which, as you noted, would be tricky in an emergency with injured crew. Also would not appear to leave much room for the wireless equipment.

David