Lynx II, hull # 4225

[Peter Duggan]

Rick,

I have deliberately avoided sandblasting the hull until I can learn and document as much as possible about the markings and colours.

Despite the heavy rust in spots, there are significant amounts of stencils and successive levels of paint. The drivers door has "----ERS ----SHIELD", which I have interpreted to read "DRIVERS WINDSHIELD". I think the footman loops held it in place with webbing straps. Above the drivers escape hatch are stencils for POUCHES and EARPHONES.

On the observers/gunners side there are stencils for POUCHES, EARPHONES, SPARE BARREL, MAP CASE and HAVERSACK.

My latches were partially dismantled on the picture that you refer to. I think our latches are quite similar.

I agree with your deduction of the interior colour for the escape hatches. When it comes to paint, it will be the same as the exterior, for the same logic that you used.

Looking forward to hearing of your progress and eagerly await more of your updates, Peter

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[Mike Cecil]

The interior surfaces that were exposed to the outside at various times were commonly painted camouflage, rather than white. Rick will discover (if he hasn't already) that his Aussie MH-Dingo has a side door with the inside face painted cammo, as well as the MG port in the front armour, and the inside of the front vision ports, as well as the entire floor forward of the step, as that area could be seen through the large roof hatch when open.

The rear hatch, however, was white on the inside (as far as I can remember), as it only opened to a horizontal position.

Nice job, Peter, and great to closely document the layers so well prior to stripping.

Mike

[David Dunlop]

Mike. I was just wondering about that. I recall seeing the 2 Lynx Bill Gregg obtained from Europe back in the 1980's and their interiors were the same colour as the outside of the vehicle. One could clealy see stowage stencils in white on the various interior walls, as well as on the front fenders (Camouflage Net) was one that comes to mind. The Lynx has a very open crew compartment, not unlike a carrier and I suspect they came from the factory with non white interiors during the war. In post war service, probably anything became possible, white and silver being very likely candidates. Anyone have any good wartime interior photos for any of the Lynx line?

David

[Peter Duggan]

Folks,

After some more sanding in different locations, it appears as if the crew compartment was first painted in the off white/cream colour, then the olive drab with white stenciling. There was an additional layer of the light silver colour which I associate with British AFVs, and which I am assuming was applied some time post war. The interior of the escape hatches were originally painted desert sand then the olive drab, with no signs of the off white/cream colour.
My question is - does anyone have any definitive information as to which colour was in use during the war time period?

I would welcome any and all comments, Peter

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[Mrs Vampire]

Mike .

Have you considered minimum intervention so far as blasting is concerned. Surface conditioning and anti rust treatment leaving as much of the original paint on the artifact as possible then over spraying ???

That leaves the original paint intact and available for future archaeologists. WW!! paint and the paint history of vehicles is fast disappearing.

If you have large enough areas of good paint you might try getting a spectrograph of it. If the white is the same as the US army Tank white I have a sample of that.

Gina

[Peter Duggan]

Guys,

The results of the magnaflux have provided enough information to determine that the engine can be rebuilt. That's the good news. However the pitting on the cylinder walls was extensive enough that the cylinders will have to be sleeved. There was one small crack found, but the folks at the engine shop claim that it can be "pinned". They have a fair bit of experience with the 239 and appear to be quite confident.

It will be great if the Lynx can be restored with the original major components. I do have another 239 lurking around in the recesses of the garage, but I believe it to be post WW 11, and if anything it's in worse shape.

Peter

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[Lynn Eades]

Peter, how bad is the pitting? Will it bore to 3+5/16"? They will (apparently)go out past that and pistons (and gaskets to suit) are readily available. They can go out safely as far as 3+7/16" in a really good block. (not suggesting you risk that) 3+5/16 is considered safe enough to not have to do anything special as far as a porous bore goes, if your block is not badly rusted in the water jacket.
It will give you more cubes.
The extra cost of sleeving can be diverted to the pistons.
Be aware that there is always a degree of risk in going for the o/s bore.