VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Mike Cecil]

The medical profession might call it Obsessive Compulsive DISorder (OCD) .... but I am convinced that, in your and my case, Col, it is Obsessive Compulsive ORDER, and a good thing to have as a restorer, too!

Mike

[David Herbert]

I agree with Mike - OCO is a good thing, keeps things tidy and you can find things without hunting for them. looks very impressive too.

David

[Tony Smith]

And an excellent way to compare the condition of the items. Note that the Outer Springs all have a similar free length, while the Inner Springs have an assorted variety of free lengths, indicating that some some may have sagged or lost tension.

It might be worthwhile considering if some of those Inners should be replaced with new coils to ensure a level stance. If they are all the same rate, they will do their bit to share the load with the Outers. If an Inner has lost tension and is a lesser spring rate, it will lead to premature failure of the paired Outer which then needs to bear a heavier load at that suspension station.

[The Bedford Boys]

Tony, just like a Carrier, the springs are different lengths front to back to make the vehicle ride level. The blokes at Armoured Engineering in the UK that recently restored a Vickers for Bovington put the springs in the wrong way and it sat very much nose down. Its since been corrected and rides as it should

[Dennis Cardy]

Colin,
Have been following your astonishing Mk 6 restoration with great interest.
And two of them to boot.
Me and a lot of others I'm sure…can hardly wait for video's of them running.

I have a question if I may.

After taking some Deuce shot's at the Borden Ontario museum for the G749 thread, I did some wandering around and came across this.
I'd forgotten they even had one. (Recently restored I'm told ….but I do not know to what extent.)
I know a bit about CMP's…but this is way out of my area.

Is it the same as your's ?…and were there variations between the Canadian and Aussie ones..?

Thanks,
Dennis.

[colin jones]

Hi Dennis, I was aware of that one in Canada and it certainly looks to be quite original too. Mine is actually a MKV1A and the one there is a MKV1B. There would not be very much difference between them apart from the front engine covers. As far as I know about the MKV1A/B's left in the world, there are two in the UK, one in the US three in Australia and a wreck in Egypt. There might be another wreck somewhere. I think Canada only had a handful so they are very lucky they still have an example left. I just noticed in the pictures that the tracks were very loose and I can see why. They have assembled the rear bogies opposite way around and have concealed the tensioner brackets. Also the rear wheels are facing the wrong way as well. I don't know how they could have missed that during rebuild but I'm sure they would be well aware of it. I'm glad you are enjoying this thread.
Colin.

[Dennis Cardy]

Hi Colin,
Thanks for your prompt reply.

That's an interesting comment about the track and suspension.
I live out in British Columbia and am just visiting family and friends in Ontario.

Perhaps someone on the forum who is more knowledgable about the situation could provide some helpful insite.

Dennis.

[colin jones]

Originally Posted by Dennis Cardy

Colin,
Have been following your astonishing Mk 6 restoration with great interest.
And two of them to boot.
Me and a lot of others I'm sure…can hardly wait for video's of them running.

I have a question if I may.

After taking some Deuce shot's at the Borden Ontario museum for the G749 thread, I did some wandering around and came across this.
I'd forgotten they even had one. (Recently restored I'm told ….but I do not know to what extent.)
I know a bit about CMP's…but this is way out of my area.

Is it the same as your's ?…and were there variations between the Canadian and Aussie ones..?

Thanks,
Dennis.

I sent the museum a email about their Vickers tank and just got a reply back today.
Their tank is complete but in order for them to have it displayed inside they had to drain all fluids. The director told me that because of this, the tank is not in running condition. I asked if someone could possibly take some photos of the inside of the tank for me which I would be happy to have paid for but he said because of safety reasons it had been welded shut and was not able to help with my request. That Vickers would have been the perfect one for reference as it, I assume has not been touched inside and is probably as original inside as the day it was made.
Is there anyone here that has any influence over there or possibly know someone that does. Photos of the inside of that tank would be invaluable to me.
Colin.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by colin jones

I sent the museum a email about their Vickers tank and just got a reply back today.
Their tank is complete but in order for them to have it displayed inside they had to drain all fluids. The director told me that because of this, the tank is not in running condition. I asked if someone could possibly take some photos of the inside of the tank for me which I would be happy to have paid for but he said because of safety reasons it had been welded shut and was not able to help with my request. That Vickers would have been the perfect one for reference as it, I assume has not been touched inside and is probably as original inside as the day it was made.
Is there anyone here that has any influence over there or possibly know someone that does. Photos of the inside of that tank would be invaluable to me.
Colin.

Welded shut??!!???? That is so typical of museums in general and military museums in particular. You'd think with a vehicle of this rarity (maybe four known survivors?) they'd be somewhat sensitive to helping out a restoration such as yours. If not, then what's the purpose of even preserving the artifact in the first place? I do note that the Whippet and Renault next to the Vickers are both wide open and I will confess to crawling in that exact Vickers. They had left it wide open to the weather for several years while they were preparing the new museum building, that is after removing it from the concrete pad where it has sat since the end of the war. Yes, the interior is very complete and no, I didn't have my camera with me.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

I sent the museum a email about their Vickers tank and just got a reply back today.
Their tank is complete but in order for them to have it displayed inside they had to drain all fluids. The director told me that because of this, the tank is not in running condition. I asked if someone could possibly take some photos of the inside of the tank for me which I would be happy to have paid for but he said because of safety reasons it had been welded shut and was not able to help with my request. That Vickers would have been the perfect one for reference as it, I assume has not been touched inside and is probably as original inside as the day it was made.
Is there anyone here that has any influence over there or possibly know someone that does. Photos of the inside of that tank would be invaluable to me.
Colin.

When I was seeking information of internal turret fittings on a MkVIA, a Canadian member of the forum went to check the tank out, it was outside at the time, and if I recall, there was a wasps nest inside and thought it unwise to try and open the turret up. Assume this is the same tank. The detail I needed was I think the signalling lamp which pushed up through the turret roof. I do not think it was present in the Puckapunyal one.

[George Moore]

Originally Posted by colin jones

I sent the museum a email about their Vickers tank and just got a reply back today.
Their tank is complete but in order for them to have it displayed inside they had to drain all fluids. The director told me that because of this, the tank is not in running condition. I asked if someone could possibly take some photos of the inside of the tank for me which I would be happy to have paid for but he said because of safety reasons it had been welded shut and was not able to help with my request. That Vickers would have been the perfect one for reference as it, I assume has not been touched inside and is probably as original inside as the day it was made.
Is there anyone here that has any influence over there or possibly know someone that does. Photos of the inside of that tank would be invaluable to me.
Colin.

Colin, If I can be of help in any way, I do have some interior shots of the inside, let me know. I have a reprint copy of a publication dated 1937 for light tanks MkII to VI, which includes a wiring diagram for the MkVI....oddly the rear lights are shown as red and blue lamps....never discovered why a blue light was fitted and for what purpose !!

George.