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

[Darrin Wright]

Mike, thank you for your comprehensive & detailed information on these unit markings.

Looking at my notes it would appear that I had the earlier unit signage correct (albeit with 1 mistake- the green & brown brigade colours mixed up). I did not have the info for when the unit transferred over to the AIF. So it makes sense and I am glad that I was on the right track going in the right direction.

I wish to make my vehicle correct as per the unit diary entry that I have, because that puts the vehicle in Darwin at that point in time. So will check the date of that entry and take on board your info and will most likely go with the info that you have provided.

EDIT:
Just checked my diary notes and they are from 17 Jan 43 to March 43 and detail that the unit had 21 BGC, 14 in MG configuration and 6 in Mortar configuration (with 1 MG BGC possibly as a command vehicle). Total of 7 BGC in Mortar Pl.
The notes, at this point in time, refer to the unit only as the 10/48th Aust Inf Batt- no AIF yet...

Once again, thank you very much.

[Darrin Wright]

I managed to trade some items for the last stowage box that I required (2nd from right box).
It did have a minor rusted out corner, so that was cut out, patches inserted and MIG welded back together.
Not my best welding; however, the patch work will never be seen due to its location.
Will be blasted early next week, and painted.

I think the 337 is an auction lot number, I did sand it down to see if there were any markings, but no.

[Darrin Wright]

Well after reading Mike's info and doing some research, I have found 2 variations on the NT Force Buffalo marking.
One source states that the signed and official formation marking has the animal facing to the right (as you look at it) over the boomerang.
Another source show"s the animal facing to the left as you look at it.

So which way should it face?

Soon I will take the correct image to the sign place and have a stencil made for spray painting.

[jack neville]

One for attack and one for retreat perhaps!!

[Ian Mastin]

It's the bottom one for me! Darrin.



Ian

[Darrin Wright]

Thanks Ian, I have a AWM pic that displays the Buffalo facing to the left.

Last night I installed the remaining 2 rear stowage boxes on the rear shelf.

Over the last week I have studied the reference pics when recovered (prior to restoration) and the official painting guides. What I have discovered is that no guide was followed. They just did their own thing, sort of...

I have used masking tape to give me a rough outline of where the camouflage lines will run.
Tonight is sits with tape all over it.

have done some test samples of light stone and different percentages of UFB to dull it down. Getting there with the matching satin effect.

[Darrin Wright]

Over the last week I have slowly been brush painting the light stone onto the hull, following the original paint scheme where I can and utilising the camouflage guide from WW2 where the pattern had weathered away.

Bit daunting as to whether I was doing the right thing, when you restore a vehicle you try so hard to make sure you do the best job possible. I really put a lot of effort and time into the spray painting, and here I am using a brush to paint the light stone onto the hull of the vehicle.

Once I started painting, due to the light colour, there was no going back as it would have been a big job had I changed my mind to paint it over with green.

I am happy with the pattern and the colour. The light stone is within shades of the Paint Standards guide. It is a bit on the gloss side, but that will fade and dull down with use.

Engine cover is in with the lower panels in place.
What equipment & kit that I have collected over time is being fitted to the vehicle.

Getting close to a track adjustment and possibly a brake adjustment as the shoes are bedding in.
Not sure if I can get away with a quick adjustment on the top adjuster on the brake drums or if I will have to break track and adjust as per the manual.

[Darrin Wright]

Hull stencils are just about finished, so when I get it out of the wksp I will get some pics to update you on.

[Tony Wheeler]

Nice job on the replica base plate Darrin. It got me thinking about digital printing and what role it may play in the future for jobs like this. Some of the newer techniques can produce metal objects, and they're already used for complex shapes like aircraft parts and orthopaedic implants because they're cheaper than conventional manufacturing processes. It's only a matter time before this technology becomes fully commercialized and affordable in automotive and general industry. For example, consider the potential of Selective Laser Melting for those hard to get WWII vehicle parts:

"Selective laser melting is an additive manufacturing process that uses 3D CAD data as a digital information source and energy in the form of a high-power laser beam to create three-dimensional metal parts by fusing fine metallic powders together. Most machines operate with a build chamber of 250 mm in X & Y and up to 350 mm Z (although larger machines up to 500 mm X,Y,Z and smaller machines do exist). The types of materials that can be processed include stainless steel, tool steel, cobalt chrome, titanium & aluminium."

[jack neville]

Fascinating prospects Tony. A little sad at the same time. Just as eBay and the Internet is slowly but surely impacting on the good old days of swap meets where sellers don't haggle as much, the reply "I can get more on eBay mate", a common answer, the future of just getting a new part 'printed' will deprive future restorers of the satisfaction of resurrecting basket cases. Then again there is comfort in knowing that everything will be possible and nothing should ever suffer for a lack of parts.

[Darrin Wright]

Our neighbour let us drive around on her 10 acre block/paddock, so after attending the local BBQ breakfast and flag raising, we drove down to the paddock (500m away).
With the size of the paddock and the laps that I completed, plus cutting back and forth; drove about 6km.
On 2 occasions, the engine stopped from fuel vaporising. Managed to restart the 1st time and continue driving. But the 2nd time I had to leave it for quite awhile and cool down. Spent the time in the neighbour's swimming pool. Not so bad.
Also managed to start finding all the gears, cannot get into 3rd and 4th around the driveway at home. But today I found them all!!!

[David Dunlop]

Great to see her out in her element, Darrin! Must have felt really good from your end!

David

[Darrin Wright]

Thanks David, it was good to get it out and run it without having to watch out for the house, carport/garage, dogs & garden beds.

The real challenge was driving on the road and keeping to the left (yes- in Australia we drive on the left) but not in the gutter. Luckily being the Australia Day public holiday there were no cars to share the road with.

I did try driving with the seat in the lowered position, but there was not much fun in that. Vision extremely limited and just an uncomfortable driving position. Much prefer the seat in the raised position.

Using my new laser temp gun, I had the following readings (curiosity factor):
wheel hubs 30-34deg C
brakes L 79deg C; R 70deg C
Engine (top of cylinder heads) 87deg C

Some of the suspension squeaks a little. Have since washed it so that may have fixed that.

Curious to know what others have done to stop their engines from causing the fuel to vaporise? modifications? heat insulation/wrapping?
This may warrant a thread in the carrier forum???

[Darrin Wright]

I have a 3D printed data plate (collected last week) and have had it laser engraved with the details originally on my broken data plate.
Here are the pics of close up detail.

It is currently drying from a coat of green and will be ready to place on the BGC this weekend.

[Ryan]

Awesome Darrin. Was it expensive to 3d print it?