VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

David you are right that it is the turret support. Now that it is almost finished It is very strong and rigid. I have cleaned and ground both parts and fitted the ball bearings and put the top on. It turns just so so easy. That means that I got it aligned properly. I guess the hold down brackets form the sideway forces plus the turret basket with ammo and two men on it would all add to the support. As far as the next models that had a bigger gun they must have done something to allow for recoil. The bearing support I made was a critical part as it would never have cut without it. All in all I am really happy how it has turned out.
Bob, my wife qualified a long time ago as a workshop assistant or was that me to her

[Tim Lovelock]

Colin,
Still very much enjoying following your posts.
👍🏻
Tim

[colin jones]

Hi Tim, me too
I have now completed the second ball race and it certainly never took as long as the first. That's another job out of the way that was a concern.

[colin jones]

Now I know it looks like the first one but I can assure you it's a different one. While I was at it last week I splurged out and got myself a new lathe with a digital readout and a taper attachment which will be really handy for doing tapered barrels like the 37mm and it has a big swing as well. That part will be handy when I do the Capola on the Vickers.

[Mike K]

Looks like you can remove a piece of the bed in order to increase the swing ?

[George Moore]

Been following with great interest and amazed at the work you have done and can do.

I guess the turret fabrication will be a walk in the park after all that work so far.

LOL
George.

[colin jones]

Mike, yes I can take out a section and that will give me a 788mm swing and I know that will come in handy one day.
George, I am happy you have an interest in these tanks but I think the turrets will be a reasonable task on their own and I have started them and been doing a lot of research and homework for the fabrication side.
I have ordered my main turret section that is rolled and unfortunately It is beyond my workshop facilities. I do have a set of rollers but it won't do 12mm with the width I require but never the less, I have been working on the cupola's and they are a piece of work as well. They are constructed of a lot of angled pieces that are machined, grafted and jointed together. My mill is certainly getting a good workout with this project.