25 Pounder info needed.

[Private_collector]

I have just finished sewing my version of the guns slide rule bag. It will have three press studs to keep it closed.
20160702_215141-resized-1280.jpg
The rule itself will unfortunately be a simple piece of aluminium, cut to size. It won't be seen. I have not been successful in acquiring the real thing. If one presents itself, it will fit, but I doubt that will eventuate.

Wanna hear something funny? I ordered (and received) a number of footman loops recently, solely because I couldn't find the ones I already had. Since getting the fresh lot, I have put them away safely. Yep, you guessed it, I'll have to search for those too. The Bermuda triangle is alive and living in my workshop.......somewhere.

I plan to paint the axle parts and wheels tomorrow. As always, weather permitting.

Bryce is home from the army until next Sunday, so spending time with him will be the main priority. We don't get the opportunity to reunite the family very often, and he will be gone again all too soon.

If anyone has good photos of the brass bracket the dial sight attaches to, I would be very grateful to see them. I'll need to make one of those from scratch. Won't be perfectly same as original, but must be functional, because I want to attach the sight to it securely. If anyone has a genuine bracket for sale, please write me via PM. I'm prepared to pay handsomely to avoid all the effort of making an inferior copy!

Many thanks.

[Private_collector]

20160703_155257-resized-1280.jpg 20160703_163438-resized-1280.jpg
20160703_163456-resized-1280.jpg
Axle and hubs painted. Wheels part painted. Yet to do the outsides of those. Wet paint made turning them over unwise.
20160703_163535-resized-1280.jpg
Rule case is finished, but I ran out of day before I got it fastened onto the shield.
20160703_164225-resized-1280.jpg
Found em!

[Private_collector]

In my search for reference images to aid my progress, I've found these interesting and dramatic photos.
images (10).jpg RKbKHZm.jpg 4786166663_a989f348f9_b.jpg
My obvious thought is, wouldn't the shell be deformed.....even a little, while causing such damage to the armour? Incidentally, the target of this attention was stated to have been a german tank, WWII.
P3080189.jpg
Best photo of the Illuminating apparatus case I have found thus far!

[Private_collector]

Well, Bryce has gone back to his barracks, and we are back to being a couple....instead of the family we have been this last week. In all likelihood, the next time we're together will be at Bryces graduation from his theory/initial training stage. That could be around September, give or take a few weeks.
_20160710_172523-resized-1280.jpg
I reattached the 25pr axle stubs this afternoon. Lots of tightening nuts with open ended spanner.....carefully, so I don't damage paint. There isn't enough clearance to get a ring spanner or socket over them.
20160710_161717-resized-1280.jpg

20160710_161803-resized-1280.jpg
I hope this is the correct way these seal retainers go onto the wheel hub. It was the one thing I don't think I photoraphed when I dismantled everything. They're not going on permanently yet. Bearings need to be regreased and set in place first.
20160710_171307-resized-1280.jpg

I have ordered this collection of genuine parts from Canada. Not cheap, with the shipping fee, but the parts cost themselves was quite reasonable.
25_pdr_parts1_3.jpg

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Tony,
You would have found out by now that hubs are either left or right thread wheel nuts. If you intend to tow this project make sure you have the hubs on the correct sides. I've seen this mistake made before and wheels do come off.
Treat the towing end as front.

[Private_collector]

Hi Wayne,

Yes, the 'travelling front', as opposed to 'firing front'. I got those terms from my manual! My axle set is with the No. 19 wheels on both sides. Possibly had a No. 14 on left side once, but this has been converted to right-hand sided No. 19 wheel before I got it. IE: Both sides are marked R on all studs and wheel nuts, regardless of side. See attached text image copied from my handbook.
20160711_182123-resized-1280.jpg 20160711_182205-resized-1280.jpg
It confuses me at times. Some of it is like listening to Charlie Brown's teacher.....wamp, wamp, wamp. I hope I haven't misunderstood what was written, but end result is same, all bolts are right hand threads.
20160711_173341-resized-1280.jpg
I got one of the hubs on this afternoon. Lots of lovely grease everywhere, including all over me. The other hub isn't ready to attach yet, because the brake linings bind against the drum somewhere. Difficult to turn until I get some clearance. If I try to turn the hub, I'm sure the entire axle assembly will fall off my jack stands instead. Can't set hub nut pressure if I can't turn the wheel.

I am on the lookout for 3 right-hand sided wheel nuts. Some of mine were missing. If anyone has some for sale, I'll buy em.

[Private_collector]

Finally! The slide rule bag and associated hardware are permanently on the upper shield.
20160717_132520-resized-1280.jpg
The brackets turned out really well. I made em, but had a neighbour do the majority of welding. I did weld the bolts onto the backs myself, so I expect that bit has the tensile strength of plasticine.
20160717_134020-resized-1280.jpg
I wish the paint was dry enough for me to make the correct length canvas straps. Tomorrow maybe.
20160717_163458-resized-1280.jpg
Despite the constant threat of rain, the day held together long enough for me to paint the outsides of my wheels. They're a bugger of a thing to get good coverage under the five lugs around the lip. Had to narrow the fan pattern on the spray gun, and aim from beyond the opposite side of the wheel. It's a fine line between too dry and too thick application, but it's OK. Wish I could get the exact color in powder coat. Would have done thst instead of spraying.
20160717_163523-resized-1280.jpg
P.S: It's still the same cheap spray gun I've been using from start of the CMP restoration. That was $30 or $40 well spent!

With the leftover mixed (and hardened) paint, I spent a lazy 2hrs brushing paint onto all the bolts on the shield and both axle stubs. The second of my wheel hubs/drums is now in place. I had to whittle down one of the brake shoes on that side, before it would go together. Sandblaster has put the thing down heavily on the edge of the shoe, at some point and it deformed the lining, making it sit up. Had to be very mindful that these are probably made with asbestos, so the linings were sprayed with hydrogen di-oxide and kept dripping wet through the whole procedure. That way there are no airborne fibres/fibers.
20160717_163512-resized-1280.jpg

Tracking tells me my small group of parts from Canada have arrived in Sydney, as of Friday 15th. The package was sent in the afternoon of the 11th, so 4 days to Australia. I wonder how many days it will take to travel the last 1200km. I expect it will take longer than Canada post took ot get it to this side of the world. I'm gonna say.......about Thursday it gets to me!

Am planning to get tyres on my wheels during the week, all going well.

Another piece of exciting new, a kind friend is allowing me access to the brake actuating components from his own 25pr, and I will get those in next couple of weeks or so. The parts will get copied as close as I can. Guess I'll be making more templates! I do like my templates.