VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hi Colin,
I see you are making a start on Wombat, you can just see the original UK registration number on front glasis plate, BMM978. It should have engine number S9469. Hope you will retain the Meadows engine in the restoration.

regards, Richard

Hi Richard, I'm curious here. On Wombat I have the front glasis plate with the number 978 but the engine number S9466 which from what I can find is Kangaroo. Would this be a mistake in the paperwork information as I could not imagine the army would swap engines.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Hi Richard, I'm curious here. On Wombat I have the front glasis plate with the number 978 but the engine number S9466 which from what I can find is Kangaroo. Would this be a mistake in the paperwork information as I could not imagine the army would swap engines.

Hi Colin,
That information came from AWM vehicle number records. It could be that a glasis plate has been switched at some point. The 978 number was a British civil registration number and not used once it arrived in Australian service. An engine could have been switched, if they were struggling to keep the vehicles operational. There were 5 based in Victoria and 5 in NSW

regards, Richard

[Mike Cecil]

And all concentrated at the AFV School when it opened at Pucka in 1941.

With the degree of usage, I would not doubt that the engines were removed when worn, rebuilt, and re-issued, same as any other AFV, so it is quite possible to have the engine in this vehicle being one that is recorded as having arrived in Australia in another vehicle. With such a small purchase, I doubt there were too many spare engines purchased, if any.

The Centurion situation is a case in point: engines in tanks that arrived in Aust in 1951/52 pop up in other tanks over the years, having been removed, refurbished, and re-issued, some several times. While a much larger pool, and over a much longer period of time, it still illustrates the point. Hence, engine numbers are not the ideal way to make a positive identification: hull numbers and glacis plate markings are more reliable, as a change over of the front glacis plate is far less likely.

Mike

[BradB]

Ref the number 69 that's been punched into the parts.

Have a look at the "Matilda Diaries, Part 7" at the 2:00-2:01 mark. You'll see that the same style of punches to ID parts seems to still be in use today.

Fascinating!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77RfsFYaj4k

[Alex van de Wetering]

Have a look at the "Matilda Diaries

Brad, thanks for posting that link....great to follow the restoration of the Matilda!

The lettering on the steel beams you see in the video is a modern day equivalant of the punched numbers and is either done by laser printing, or by inkjet printing like in this case. It's not so much intended to mark certain parts, but more aimed to easily identify the type and measurement of the profiles, as well as the makers name. You also see bar codes these days containing info on material properties etc.

Alex

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Brad, thanks for posting that link....great to follow the restoration of the Matilda!

The lettering on the steel beams you see in the video is a modern day equivalant of the punched numbers and is either done by laser printing, or by inkjet printing like in this case. It's not so much intended to mark certain parts, but more aimed to easily identify the type and measurement of the profiles, as well as the makers name. You also see bar codes these days containing info on material properties etc.

Alex

The modern word is 'traceability' so that any issues, the batch can be identified. With structural steel work now, this is required.

[colin jones]

Hello all, I haven't posted for a while as I've ben away and quite busy, I have spent some time on the trans and I was at first quite concerned wether I could save it or not as all the bottom of the box is simply gone.
I am however, very fortunate that the oxidization has been localized to the bottom only. My first impression was that it was not salvageable but I am more confident that I can either repair the original box or I will attempt to fabricate a new one from steel. The gears are not damaged at all and even the bearings age in remarkable condition. It will be a slowish process but I feel very confident that I can make one. I would use the original top as it is still good.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by BradB

Ref the number 69 that's been punched into the parts.

Have a look at the "Matilda Diaries, Part 7" at the 2:00-2:01 mark. You'll see that the same style of punches to ID parts seems to still be in use today.

Fascinating!

Sometimes good ideas last for a long time. Case in point, the serial number for Cadillac Gage 4x4 armoured cars is stamped on the outside face of the front left lifting eye. That was where the books told me to go look when the Cold War Collection's 1969-build V100 arrived. In spring 2016 I looked in the same place on the Canadian Army's freshly delivered TAPV. The serial number is there too.