18 Pdr Limber ( Aust )

[Mike Cecil]

Excellent film footage, Mike. 18-pdr Mk.4P(LP) and 4.5-inch Howitzers. These are all Australian-owned guns converted to pneumatic wheels/tyres in Australia. All explained with plenty of images in the first two chapters of my book 'Fire! The 25-pdr in Australian Service' available from Trackpad Publishing.

Mike

[Graeme Stephens]

The Brake Cable actuates/pulls from the Truck (not yet), the cable runs to a wonderful Aussie cantilever, which at the top pulls a rod which is connected to a lever on a cross shaft that then rotates to both Brake back plates actioning thru cams to the Brake shoes.
If there is another connected unit, the through running cable at the bottom of the Cantilever then engages the second unit, to cause the same Braking - when there are no further towing units the Through running cable is parked on a hook at the rear of the mudguard.
A grease nipple is provided on the flex to help overcome friction.

it was even harder to understand when it was found as wreckage

[Graeme Stephens]

For my 18Pdr Limbers I’m happy to run 7.50 x 20 “ tyres, wrecks I’ve found seem to have used 8.25 x 20 ‘s. ….. The canvas covered steel mesh mudguards have been repaired and recovered.
And by the cast logo on the Hubs, Spyder and Brake drums, I’m assuming they were made by Sunshine Harvester in Sunshine, Victoria. The logo is similar to International Harvester.
Casting dates I’ve found are for 1939 & 1940.
The last pics show where the original Cartwheel Axle ran – with the new smaller diameter Tyre, the new axle had to be lowered – to raise the Limber body.
I have yet to find any technical records of the Pneumatization Program carried out on the 18pdr & 4.5 “ systems.
Hope you like my story - Gram

[Graeme Stephens]

Strange thing happened ( for me ) while I was setting up my 2 Limbers at a show, - I was applying a ‘ Please don’t touch’ sign using a magnet = and it fell off.
My Metro made 18Pdr 1918 Wagon/Limber - the rear door and 3 sides are non-magnetic, all other frame works are magnetic, top, floor, ect.
The BRC & W Wagon/limber is ‘all’ magnetic.
My Metro made 4.5 inch Wagon / limbers also have non-magnetic doors and sides.
I shall endeavour to take off a ‘door’ from one of my 4.5 Limbers to identify the rusty metal?
Unless someone has already encountered this.
The other Manufacturer I have seen is E.O.C. - ?

[tankbarrell]

EOC is likely Elswick Ordnance Co.

[Graeme Stephens]

I always like to present some military history to the general public for their curiosity/education and for my self-pride – if they show any appreciation.
A two or three day display, accommodates any visitor who asks ‘would you like to have …… , I’ll bring it in tomorrow’, and they on occasion do.
Family members are wanting to find an appropriate place for items to end up.
At my last display a guy remarked that his Grand-dad was in Artillery, and in his old shed were Black & White sticks, which were once used to play Croquet.
I showed a lot of interest, and the next day, 2 black/white Aiming Posts and 2 ‘was’ red/white posts were gratefully received.
I’ve kept the Black/white posts in mostly original condition, the others needed blasting and repainting.
And they fit !

[Graeme Stephens]

Many years ago, I was lucky to find an original (?) Limber key, equally as luck runs, we have in this State a Master military restorer/craftsman – Wayne Henderson, who made casts of the key in bronze.
Now I have time to learn leather craft and wet moulding, saddle stitching, and trial & error.
Having the 3 rivet holes gives the pouch limits, my first attempt wasn’t bulky enough to allow for the string/ lanyard – apparently in the first winter action in 1914 the keys to gain access to the ammo were dropped in the mud, resulting in a white string being attached to ‘all’ tools.
Images of the Limber pouches are vague, and with this Mk3 attempt I’m quite satisfied.