Border Raiding

[Lynn Eades]

with all due respect I think your headed in the wrong direction.
That Tank Colin has, has the wrong track fitted to it.
It appears easy to do.Jeff Plowman here in N.Z. owned an LP2A with English track fitted on its original wheels. It chews things up a bit, but it works after a fashion.
You must have seen enough "boch ups" in the bush in the past to know that our fathers did stuff that we wouldn't put up with now.
I'm hope Richard can square this away ,by telling us about the difference in width between the Vickers Light Tank track,and English Carrier track.

Colin. I see the oil filler cap on your engine is very much the same style as the English fuel tank caps in carriers.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

I'm hope Richard can square this away ,by telling us about the difference in width between the Vickers Light Tank track,and English Carrier track.

Lynn and Colin,

This what I can tell you, not having anything to do with the track on the one restored over here, I am going from the official manual;

Mark VI tank ( this is the earlier model, Australian ones were MkVIa )

"Track width 9.5 ins., No.6, consisting of 155 links, 147 hinge pins and 8 joint pins."

"The hinge pin is of steel, formed with a head at one end being riveted over after links have been connected.
The joint pin is of steel formed with a head at one end, the opposite end being provided with a washer and keep pin."

"Amendment 1, Sept. 1938
Mark VIa and VIb tanks

The track is generally similar to that for the Mark VI tank, except that the link lugs are wider apart to accomodate the wider pattern bogie wheel and guide roller fitted to the Mk VIa and VIb tanks."

Not sure if this is of any use to you, but all I can come up with at present.

[Lynn Eades]

Just what the doctor ordered. Thankyou.
So apart from the lead plugging verses full length pins, it's identical, and interchangeable with the Aust carrier track.

[Jared Archibald]

G'day Everyone,

interesting thread all round.

This is a quote from Section D, Page 1 of the "Carriers MG, 2 pdr, and 3"Mortar Workshop Manual" - Australian Issue.

"Carriers M.G., 2 Pdr., and 3 inch Mortar are fitted with 9 1/2 in. tracks, which are interchangeable with those used on the light tank Mark VIa (but not with the British Carrier), excepting that the number of links per track differs for each vehicle".

This statment correlates with the info quoted by Richard from the manual for these tanks.

Just another piece of information to add to the mix.

Jared

[Richard Farrant]

A few years ago, gathering information like this in a few days and from all corners of the world, would have been unthought of. Colin, you are not on your own, there will always be someone with the answer out there.

I have been looking at some of your photos and notice that the radiator has been moved to the pulley end of the engine. It should in fact, be over the gearbox, laying not quite flat, following slope of front decking. It hinged up to access a fan assembly, the latter does not appear to be there. I am searching for some of my photos that might help you here. The oil guage attached to the radiator looks like the original, now the black box fitted just below, looks like it might be the cut out for the dynamo as the wiring dissappears in that direction. Different to the one that I worked on, probably the sort of thing that failed in service, and was substituted with a suitable replacement.

[colin jones]

morning everyone, Thanks Richard, I'ts good to know that there's help out there and by crickey I'll need it. I can see a trip to the pucka museum coming up with my trusty camera, laptop, tape measure and steel rule and about 2 days of going over every nut ,bolt and rivett. One good thing is that at least there is one here for me to see in the flesh. I took some pics this morning and they show english track one side and aust track the other. If it does take the aust track then it will be easier for me to fit out.
Thanks everyone for you input to date.
regards
Colin.

[lynx42]

Well the border raiding is on again. This time from Victoria to Northern NSW and reverse. Carrier 2217 has gone to a new home in Guyra and a very good No.6 Artillery Body has come home to Gippsland for my WO-78.

A quick sign on the back of the load not only told others what was on the trailer, but also resulted in 3 leads for the future. The UHF Ch.40 sign also let the truckies know that they could talk to me and me to them, so everyone knew what was going on and passing was easier. The police also called in for a chat and so did the NSW RTA.

A 2716km. round trip at 5.6km/L. or 15mpg. wasn't too bad as I was pretty loaded up both ways. That new England Highway has some BIG hills too. Up Moonbi Hills it was 1st gear and 30/35km/h. luckily there were roadworks and the speed limit was 40km/h. so I didn't hold anyone up there.

One big load was seen at Murrurundi. 8.8metres wide on 88 trailer wheels.

Traffic around Sydney was really bad. 2 1/2hr. for 64km. So much for the Hume Highway. Should have been Hume Carpark.

Needeed now are two doors for a No6. Artilery Body.

Regards Rick.

[lynx42]

No.6 Artillery body for Bofors gun tractor.