Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[Darrin Wright]

No update last week as all I achieved was a couple of hours washing out wheel bearings and recovering the plates that hold the seals in place inside the wheel. Not really exciting stuff....

However, this weekend was a long weekend and I spent several extra days working at Bandiana; so got a bit done.
With the good weather I pushed the hull outside and prepared the front interior for painting and also a number of parts that can bolt into the front hull. Also painted the rear diff armoured cover, so now it is ready to be installed with 2 coats of green.
Picked 2 of my good NOS wheels and re-greased and installed the front bearings, new seals and managed to get the RHF wheel assembly mounted to the stub axle. Only managed to get the LHF wheel on a little bit before the bearing caught at an angle on the stub axle. Will have to use my puller to remove it and investigate why? possible small burr or maybe I just had it at the wrong angle????
Installed some of the front hull fittings that I painted and hung the rear armour on the back of the hull.

the hull is getting quite heavy for my wheel dollies, so will have to concentrate on getting the bogie suspension stripped, cleaned, painted and installed. Then I should be able to move it in and out on its wheels.

The paint, while using 30% flattening base, did not flatten/dull down as much as last time I painted the rear and exterior of the hull. not sure why, but in time it will fade. So the pics may appear a bit glossy...