Lynx II, hull # 4225

[lynx42]

How lucky are you Peter? I was also lucky that my radiator was in extremely good condition. My bloke took off the top and bottom tanks, cleaned out all the tubes, straightened all the bent fins and re-assembled it all for $50-00.

Because of my current ill health I decided that it was time to get back into the shed doing something positive so I have been working quietly on the electrics. Most people would not know that the Lynx runs on 3 different voltages. The batteries originally were 2 x 6 volt giving 12 volts for the starter, generator radios etc, this reduced to 6 volts for the lights, gauges,etc. just like a Blitz and then down to 4.5 volts for the coil to the distributor. So I will be a while sorting that out.

I have been able to use 90% of the original loom. Still there are problems as all wires are in copper woven shielded conduit and all wires are the same colour, BLACK. The wiring diagram in the book explains where each wire goes, but not where the loom goes. They all look the same and in some places there are 6 or 7 or 8 wires soldered together, so it is not easy. In the book it states that they are all numbered. Not so after 70+ years not a number to be seen and I did not remove the loom. Fingers crossed.

What are you doing for wiring?

Regards Rick

[Jon Bradshaw]

Peter it is looking really good. I will have to stop by for a first hand look when I am home this summer.

[Peter Duggan]

Rick,

Glad to hear that you are back in the shop. Best therapy possible, as long as you pace yourself and don't overdo it. My wiring is in far worse shape than yours. I will have to ultimately replace 100 % of mine. The wiring in the Lynx 11 is colour coded and numbered, which will help. I have been very fortunate to find some NOS segments. Such as the main cabling between the two JBs and some other runs. I would like to first finish the new firewall and I also have to do something about the missing battery tray, before starting into the wiring.

Jonathon,

You and Doug would be welcome anytime that it suits you. It would also be great to hear how you are progressing on your projects.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

Replicated a new firewall. It's an unusual one that consists of two pieces of sheet metal with a plywood inner. Small wonder that the original rusted out. Also tackled the steering wheel. Used a similar one from Macs that had the right dimensions. Once I removed several excess pounds of rubber my machinist swapped out the center hubs. Some more cosmetic touches and it will be identical to an NOS wheel. Also got the drivers seat working/looking the way it should.

Peter

[The Bedford Boys]

I thought the Lynx had a 2 spoke steering wheel? Maybe I'm thinking of something else.

Your project sure is looking good. Keep up the good work!

[RichCam]

Peter,

Looks fantastic! So, sitting in the driver's seat, did you go "varoom, varoom"? Visioning yourself careening down switch back dirt roads, jumping over small risers in the fields and double shifting, on the fly
Ok, back to reality. Keep up the great work! It will be done before spring time!

[Peter Duggan]

Alex,

Thanks for your comments. The Lynx steering wheel is a three spoke. To date on this restoration I have been able to remain faithful to the original by rebuilding, using NOS parts when I am fortunate or else by replicating items such as the steering wheel.

Richard,

While I admit to spending a fair bit of time daydreaming, I also recognize that I am not yet at the half way point. Still, quite a motivator.

Peter

[super dave]

Reg's lynx has a 2 spoke wheel on it, Maybe a year change up ??

[Grant Bowker]

To my uneducated eyes the two spoke wheel has a surprising amount of plastic for a wartime steering wheel in a vehicle as utilitarian as the Lynx. Without any reason to believe it so, I wonder whether a "will fit" wheel from commercial production may have been substituted. This photo from Mac's looks a bit similar. http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_me...74906/image/0/

[Stew Robertson]

Looking real good Peter
Just like out of the factory!
I was looking at your driver seat and just a quick question as my mind might be giving me the gears Were the gunner and driver seat not on spring loaded tubes or were the earlier or later models
Keep up the good work and before you know it you will be kicking dust on all the roads not just the back ones
Enjoy

[rob love]

Stew

The one we have here in Shilo (ex-Gregg of course) has the driver seat mounted to the floor. It raises and lowers in a similar fashion to the bren carrier.

The co-driver's seat is on a spring loaded tube. It was missing when I first started to work on the lynx, and I stumbled on it in a triwall of picture frames in another building.

A fellow in Winnipeg related an interesting story from a veteran whom he has recorded his stories from WW2. The veteran operated a lynx, and broke the rear axle. When he took it to exchange it at the vehicle dump, they offered him a 50BMG recovered form aircraft. He has the armourers dress it up for ground use, and installed it on top of the lynx in place of the Bren. He later replaced the larger co-drivers seat with a tube with a bicycle seat so he could have more room for the boxes of BMG ammo. While it would not turn the lynx into a fighting vehicle, (they were for reconnaissance) it would at least allow for engagements with targets of opportunity at far greater distance and devastation than the Bren would have provided.

[Lynn Eades]

Dirk Leegwater's site lists a two spoke wheel for the Lynx?

[Peter Duggan]

Guys, Thanks for all the feedback about the steering wheel. I'm starting to think that the Lynx 1 had a two spoke wheel and the Lynx 11 had a three spoke wheel. I do appreciate everyone's input, since I want to try and get things right.

Stew, Rob's description of the differences of the drivers and observers seat are correct. I just wish that I had access to a warehouse where I could stumble across an observer's seat. Mine is a total basket case.

Peter

[rob love]

Lynx 1 manual shows two spoke wheel. The lynx mk2 here in Shilo has 3 spoke. I just walked over to it now to confirm.

[marco]

Two photo's showing a .50BMG on a Ford Lynx.
This particular vehicle is from 20th Troop (D-squadron) XII Manitoba Dragoons.

Marco

[David Dunlop]

Marco, is that a twin gun mount of some kind? Almost looks like a .50 HB on the right side with either an air cooled .50 cal or .30 cal to the left with a shorter barrel. Also might be two ammo boxes, one each side of the gun pair. Or, I've been into the wine FAR TOO early this morning!

David

[marco]

David,

The gun mount would have been a field invention I guess.
The gun on the right of the photo is the .30Cal M1919A4, the one on the left is a .50 BMG and looks to be the HB version although the photo is not very clear.

Marco

[J_Ball]

Same vehicle in question as the one Marco posted just another shot of it.

[marco]

Great photo John!

Attached 3 documents about the differences between Lynx I and Lynx II.

Marco

[Peter Duggan]

Marco, John, Rob,and all,

I continue to be amazed at the level of knowledge and the willingness to share with MLU members. It has certainly made my task much easier and enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the field report on the Lynx 11.

Thanks again, Peter

[marco]

Peter,

There are some more reports which are interesting to read.

Marco

[marco]

It seems that plenty Ford Lynx II's were available, the big problem being to get them across the ocean in time..

Marco

[Peter Duggan]

Marco,

Thanks for sharing all this correspondence, it makes for some insightful and fascinating reading.

Peter

[Stew Robertson]

Rob and Peter
Thanks for jogging the memory! :

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

Started by cutting holes in the new firewall to mount the oil conditioner and air cleaner. Managed to straighten out and dry-fit the shelving units for radio and gear. Makes the crew compartment even more cozy. Back out to be stripped and primed. I suspect that both the oil conditioner and oil bath air cleaner location are different that that of the Mark 1 Lynx. Ross, thanks again for the NOS filter kit for the conditioner.

Peter

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

The best decision I made with regards to the Lynx restoration was to join MLU. I have enjoyed significant support, advice, parts and history. The latest is the attached picture from Peter Simundson. My attempt to decipher the faded writing on the back of the picture is "g pl trg at BadHarzburg, Jan 52, Cpl Warrander, Cpt Stevenson". Peter stated the unit is the Queens Own Rifles.

Peter, thanks again

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

Been focused on the controls that run through the firewall. Also fitted the conduit and NOS wiring loom that runs from the two junction boxes. Looking at the picture that Dave posted of Reg's Lynx 1 and noted that the wiring is quite different. The changes between the Lynx 1 and 11 are certainly adding up. Started to mock up and made a cardboard template of the armour shielding for the fuel tanks. Will make a trip to the War museum to confirm my model before having the steel cut and shaped.

We're off to spend Christmas with family, so I will wish everyone a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." Peter

I added a picture from last summer of the bare and cut frame. Helps make me realize that I'm actually making progress.

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

I've been exchanging emails with Patrick Tedeschi, of Turin, Italy. He has just acquired a Lynx. Don't know about it's history or even the hull number.

Enjoy, Peter

[lynx42]

Peter, thanks for those. I also have just received an email from someone in Italy, Fabio Morra, who has also just found a Lynx over there. (Might be the same one with two mates). Hopefully there are two new ones. I will let you know when I know more.

Regards Rick.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Guys,

I signed up both Fabio and Patrick on this forum. Fabio posted his first message here http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24863 and I was waiting for Patrick to post pictures of his Lynx. Not sure if it is the same Lynx they are talking about, but I'm sure we'll find out shortly.

Hanno