Vickers Light Tank MkVIa info required

Richard Farrant · #1 28-12-04, 23:49

I am in need of certain technical information for a c.1936 Vickers Light Tank MkVIa.

Specifically and this is a long shot, does anyone on the list, have a manual and/or parts book which they could scan some pages for me.
This is required in order to carry out some work on one.

I wait in hope that someone here can assist.

Richard

Richard Farrant · #2 08-03-05, 16:49

Is there anyone going to visit the Puckapunyal tank museum in the near future? Perhaps on their way to Corowa. I am in need of some photos of certain points on their Vickers Light Tank MkVIa. Not had much of a response from the museum, re. photos, but all I need are a couple of good shots of the aerial mounting on the turret, from two angles and if at all possible, a shot inside of the signal lamp bottom part and the signal key which I think is mounted separate somewhere. One of the instrument panel would help as well.

I would appreciate any help on this, please.

Richard

Tony Smith · #3 09-03-05, 05:23

I'll try to get down there while I'm at Corowa, Richard.

Richard Farrant · #4 09-03-05, 10:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony Smith
I'll try to get down there while I'm at Corowa, Richard.

Tony,

Thank you. I am sending you a Private Message.

Richard

Richard Farrant · #5 03-04-05, 23:07

I believe Canada took delivery of 24 Vickers Light Tanks MkVIa ( or possibly VIb ? ) around 1939, as a result of a cancelled order by Australia. Apparantly they were used for training at Camp Borden.

Is there an example of one of these tanks in captivity in Canada? I am seeking details of a signal lamp fitted into the turret. Any help appreciated.

Richard

Bruce Parker (RIP) · #6 04-04-05, 02:30

One such example exists at CFB Borden's museum (Ontaro, Canada). It has suffered the same fate as most AFV's there: welded shut and displayed outdoors for decades. To be fair, in recent years many of the rarer tanks have been sandblasted and given a coat of rust inhibiting paint. Some, like the WW1 Whippet have been cosmetically restored. When I was there last, the weld on the turret hatch of the Vickers was broken and one could look inside. Perhaps that is how is remains today?

Jordan Baker · #7 04-04-05, 03:42

HI

Bruce or anyone,

Do any of you guys know whereabouts the tank is located on the base. Im going to be up there this Saturday and Sunday and if I can find it I'll take a bunch of pictures for the site.

Jordan

Richard Farrant · #8 04-04-05, 08:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
Im going to be up there this Saturday and Sunday and if I can find it I'll take a bunch of pictures for the site.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the response. The details I am looking for are all internally. They had a signal lamp that raised and lowered through a hole in the turret roof, behind the cupola. If you were to be able to gain access and the lamp is intact, I need to know what is fixed to the side of it near the bottom, my guess it is some sort of handle fixed by 4 screws. Also, the signal key switch, I assume it is mounted separate, but may be combined with the said handle.

This is a real long shot I know, thanks.

Richard

Jon Skagfeld · #9 04-04-05, 18:48

Jordan...this may be too late for you to seek what info was requested from other posters.

The Vickers is/was located in front of the Museum building, across Waterloo Road, over from the Officer's Mess.

I assume (?) that the Museum building still stands?

Keith Webb · #10 04-04-05, 21:23

Here's one at the Army Tank Museum, Puckapunyal. Next to it is the even rarer Vickers Medium Tank, one of four we ordered in 1929.

More pictures here.

Richard Farrant · #11 04-04-05, 21:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb

Here's one at the Army Tank Museum, Puckapunyal.

Keith,

Thanks.......Tony took a heap of photos of it for me, the other week. Trouble is the signal lamp was missing from it.

Richard

Keith Webb · #12 04-04-05, 21:33

I'll see whether there's anything inside it, but don't get your hopes up too far.

Jon Skagfeld · #13 04-04-05, 23:56

Both of these items appear to be amazingly well preserved/restored.

There must be a curator involved who really cares about such stuff.

Keith Webb · #14 05-04-05, 01:09

There are only two paid staff - Paul Handel who runs the museum and a curator who is there all the time, not to mention a number of volunteers without whom none of this could happen.

They're in the business of conservation rather than restoration - they just don't have the funds. Most of their funding (apart from the two salaries) comes through the shop and donations.

Even so, they have an ambitious program, with a Lloyd carrier almost finished and a two pounder tank attack carrier in the works.

Murray · #15 05-04-05, 05:34

This link has pictures taken last year of the Camp Borden tanks.

http://www.pbase.com/mrclark/cfb_borden_2004

Jordan Baker · #16 11-04-05, 01:35

HI everyone.

The Vickers tank is sitting behind the buildings that are beside Worhtington park. There were a bunch of vehicles sitting out.

When I climbed up on top of the vickers I started to pull up on the commanders hatch. A damn bee/hornet/wasp came out of a hole and got me good. It really stung quite a bit. Anyway I tried as best as I could but the hinges are all sezied and we could only get the hatch to move about 1/4 of an inch.

Unfortunatley I couldn't get any photos of the inside for you.

If someone else is going up take a pry bar with you because you will really need it.

Jordan

Richard Farrant · #17 11-04-05, 21:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
When I climbed up on top of the vickers I started to pull up on the commanders hatch. A damn bee/hornet/wasp came out of a hole and got me good. It really stung quite a bit.

Jordan,

Wow ! Sorry to hear the little b*gger stung you, I feel guilty now for asking you

Not to worry about looking in there, there may be hords of them waiting for someone to return, unless you can smoke them out!

Thanks,
Richard