VICKERS MK6B's resto

[George Moore]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Light at the end of the tunnel for the engine covers now. They are starting to look like 1936 Vickers light tanks. I think I should put their names on them.

One HAS to be called COLIN surely!
Absolutely fantastic, such attention to detail and the craftsmanship required to replicate it all. Totally amazed.
Re machine tools, I did a trade apprenticeship, making our own tools. Sadly a lot of these skills are lacking, but there are some trades (in the UK) still being taught. During my apprenticeship I did some work with a Cincinnati lathe which still had a cast "courtesy of the USA lend lease" on the side.

[Ryan]

Colin, you do realise that now with our car industry in the toilet the government is going to look towards you and your tank/carrier production lines to meet the nations demands for vehicles at the next war!

[David Dunlop]

If tanks have personalities, Colin, these two seem to be now at the point where theirs are starting to show again. You may be right in wanting to give them back some of their individual ID's, even if it is just one or two markings in a safe place somewhere on the hulls. Then open a bottle of champagne and welcome them both back!

David

[colin jones]

George, somehow "Colin" just doesn't have a ring to it for a tank name but they already have their original military names of "Wombat and Bowerbird"
Ryan' I wait for a call from the Govt
David, they are at that point now that I think I could say they are back from the dead
I have made both rear view mirror and will look around for some rectangle mirrors to put on them.

[colin jones]

I'm not sure how you would see behind you as there is a big turret in the way

[colin jones]

I know one thing! The bonnet is bloody heavy now and I bet a lot of soldiers got their pinkies squashed lots of times. I can safely say that the engine covers are now complete and they both look like Vickers Mkv1A tanks from the front now

[David Dunlop]

Colin.

What type, if any, wireless equipment would these tanks have been equipped with, back in their day?

I agree with you the driver's mirror setup looks a bit odd, and I am wondering if it was intended, in the possible absence of any wireless intercom, for the driver to observe hand signals from the tank commander up in the turret?

David

[Ben]

Looking really great Colin, well done.

The small rectangular mirrors with a slightly convex glass are a Lucas type 160, they were fitted to most British vehicles from the period and there are plenty of repro ones available online if you can't find originals.

Ben