VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Ryan]

For your viewing pleasure Colin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpKpNRKUDws

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OjUY1Dg_T8

[lynx42]

Hi Colin,

Don't you ever sleep??

Here is a photo of one at the Bovington which I had a good look at when we were there in 2009.

england4 393.jpg

Regards Rick.

[colin jones]

Thanks Ryan, they were excellent viewing. Rick, I could do with a few extra ZZ's but when your on a mission well! you know what I mean .
I'm about half way into the wheel bogies and what a job these thing were so seized up. I had to use a lot of heat and sometimes even that didn't work and I had to cut them which I don't like to do but that's life.

[colin jones]

The rear bogie system is quite a complicated piece of engineering. It took me all day and part of yesterday just to get one apart and I have three more to do but after doing the first one, I know what to expect. There are woodroffe keys in the rear axle that I never knew until now and unless the sequence of pulling apart are not followed then they will not come off. Not to mention they also where totally seized. I'm doing a few repairs along the way when I see broken or worn parts.
I need to get all my wheels off and down to the rubber man so he can do his thing while I restore the steel work.

[Mike K]

Searching for the correct British early WW2 colours I found this info from Mike Starmer.

"The following Humbrol mixes, all glossy are extremely close to the original 1930 swatches"

Light green G5 = 11 parts 38 green + 3 parts 10 brown

Khaki green G3 = 8 parts 2 green +11 parts 10 brown

Dark green G4 = 10 parts 3 green + 5 parts 10 brown + 1 part 33 black

[colin jones]

Mike, thanks for the info.
For those who have or are doing a carrier, I'm sure you know just how hard it is to get the suspension rods out in one piece. With all the carriers I've done, I think I'd be lucky to have got anymore than 10-20% out as they are generally so seized it's near impossible to move them even with heat. What I have found to be the easiest for me is to just cut the rod between the springs and at least get them out in good condition. The rod itself is only case hardened so it can be drilled just like mild steel. I went through with a 5/8 drill about half way each side. Just a tip if you do this, don't drill fast and use fluid because you might snap a drill inside. After I drill mine (8-10 mins each) I used my oxy/acc and just cut part way down. The air chisel got the rest out very easy and never damaged the ball part at all.

[colin jones]

All suspension parts are cleaned, blasted and ready for primer. I only have the last 3 bogies to get apart and the wheels get picked up on Saturday for some new rubber. It has taken be the last week to get all this done. It may not look like a lot of work but without drilling and using the oxy I'd be no where near finished. Big relief