T-16 S/N 5399 T.D. 97377 Restoration

[horsa]

The following series of images show the gunner side fuel tank with all of the components progressively added. Figured they might be of interest since almost all of the T-16s seem to have an alternate fuel system from what they were designed to use, especially the Swiss modification of a single large fuel tank in the rear over the tracks and differential.

First image shows the fuel tank inside its protective liner with the top of the liner not yet installed.



Next we put the top of the liner on, attach the sender and fuel line, and then bolt on the fuel tank hold down bracket. It uses a bolt at the back to press the bracket down and it has two threaded rods at the front to pull the bracket down to a mounting point on the floor of the T-16. Its pretty close to how the manual shows it but not perfect.



A locker gets bolted to the top of each fuel tank hold down bracket and the fuel tank filler comes up through the bottom. The back of the locker is angled to provide clearance for the rear bolt in the hold down bracket.



This shot simply shows the locker with the lid closed. The four raised squares on the lid are for holding a seat frame in place.



And lastly there is a shot showing a seat cushion on top of the locker. I still haven't build the frames for the seats as I am sorting out how much space is needed for the 4.2-inch mortar bomb racks which will be over the track sponsons. The upper cover for the engine housing is sloped so the cushion can hang over the locker but the angle of the shot makes it appear to be in the way. Surprisingly it all fits fairly well but there won't be a lot of space for people once everything else is bolted up.



This final shot shows the fuel tank and locker on the driver side of the vehicle. The locker is virtually identical to the gunner side but it has a divider and a place for very pistol cartridges. As if sitting on top of the fuel tank wasn't bad enough, they had to build in a place for pyrotechnic devices which point downwards at the tank.

[horsa]

Just got finished reducing the size of all the photographs in this message thread by 20 percent. They are all hosted out on a public photobucket site so hopefully they will load faster now.

[RichardT10829]

I shall use this resto as inspiration for mine ! i just hope i can follw your lead what an absolutely fantastic job you have done !

[horsa]

Hey Richard,

Looks like you have a real challange there as well. At least most of what you need is flat metal and there are others who have fabricated what you are missing. Just a matter of tracking them down over time for patterns to copy so you aren't having to ship things internationally.

One thing on big restorations is to not get hung up on a single thing. If you can break tasks into groups, you'll be able to do little things on several different parts/sections during the same time period. Allows a change of pace and an easy way to transition from one thing to the next if you get stuck needing information or small parts. Makes for a lot of juggling but suddenly the vehicle will begin taking shape.

Two really critical things are to take as many digital photos as you can prior to taking things apart since they are good for reference when you put things back together. And anything that comes off should be labeled. Use a marker and make notes on the big parts and put little parts and examples of removed nuts in bolts into labeled bags to keep things sorted out. You don't want to forget how the puzzle goes back together when the time comes.

[RichardT10829]

Thanks David, through work I deal with alot of exhibits, i will be using the same method of labelling and boxing for the project.

[horsa]

Didn't get much done over the holidays but managed to finish the exhaust system. Attached a few shots below for reference.













Sure runs smoother and a lot more quiet now. Plus its nice to be able to direct the exhaust out of the garage while its parked and running. Need to install the rear armour that protects the differential and then its on to the wood pieces that go along the edges of the armoured walls.

[Ledsel]

Is that green grass? Must be nice!