25 Pounder info needed.

[Private_collector]

Went on a bit of a sad road trip today. Mrs B and I made the drive to the resting place of her Father, who passed away 2 years ago tomorrow. Be wary of asbestos, folks. The journey of roughly 170km took us past another 25 pounder I wouldn't normally get to see, sitting proudly outside the Murgon Returned Services League. As a point of interest, I have posted some of the photos below, and in two following posts. You're welcome to copy them all. What is the round piece that sits on the trail, in photo two? Some form of socket something else fits onto?

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[Private_collector]

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[Private_collector]

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[tankbarrell]

Tony, the socket is for the horizontal air pump that tops up the recuperator air pressure.

[Private_collector]

Thanks Adrian

[Private_collector]

My sight door track is finished, courtesy of my neighbour.
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Typical that I am rostered to work this weekend, both days, and won't get this or the door onto the shield until Monday next wk.

Anyone have suggestions for suitable WWII Australian unit markings / TAC signage?

Once the telescope mounts and box frame are done, I will paint the entire shield properly and put signage on.

[Private_collector]

Having worked on the weekend, I had yesterday and today off. Monday I went to the beach and got thoroughly cooked. Today I went back to working on the gun.
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The sight door is in place. I initially had a big problem with the door binding along about half of the distance, and despite shaving a little off the back of the track, it wasn't much better.
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All I can say is I must have been tired, because it was easily fixed once it dawned on me that the problem was caused by the pivot point, not the track clearance. A thin sheet of plasticised paper was an instant remedy. The thickness I pruned from back of the track will allow me to apply a very thin anti friction sheet to back side of the door, in the area which is hidden under the track. I really don't want to scratch paint when sliding the door! The anti friction material SHOULD fix that issue. The unsightly nut holding the door in place will be replaced with a grease nipple......when I find where I have put them!
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To end the day, I started cleaning up the spade. Gee that timber looks good for it's age.
My original plan was to paint the blade green, then I had a rethink and thought black might have been better. I would prefer seeing the bare metal, so I'll take a drive to the gun shop in town tomorrow and buy a bottle of blueing liquid. If that looks good, it'll stay that way. If not, it will get sprayed black. The timber will get sprayed the same stain as the zero block. By the way, did I mention I put that on today too. Had to move the clinometer case up a little to accomodate the space, and now I have four holes to fill in!!!

P.S: Tomorrow I get the ground anchor cover back from sandblasting. Panelbeating will follow, no doubt.