NZ LP2 project - Page 2

David Ellery · #31 01-11-06, 05:48

Hi there , heres an update on my carrier. Its been a slow slog getting to this stage, lots of manufacturing of steering and gear lever linkages etc from photos and patterns of the local museums carrier. Now that shes up and running its been a matter of ironing out all the little problems that come with all those parts. Its been great fun driving it around the place, I've been surprised with how well the tracks are holding up as there are quite a few rotten sections there. The next stage is replacing all the missing panels where needed and building engine covers and the like.
Anyway heres a picture of it todate. cheers David...

Jordan Baker · #32 01-11-06, 05:58

Hi David

That looks amazing. You shoudl be really proud of yourself and all the work you have done. I (as do most forum members) know only too well just how many hours disapear into somthing like this.

I can't wait to see more pictures.

Sincerely
Jordan Baker

Rob Beale · #33 01-11-06, 11:23

on David's carrier is impressive. He has taken on a massive rebuilding job on a severly hacked about hull. He has made new linkages and parts, many of which used to be available as NOS.

We looked for numbers Lynn, and I think it's hull no. is just over 1000. Didn't find the 'X' though for the late model engine.

I have some U spoke wheels too, and some grooved tyres on 6 spoke wheels, so they are around in NZ. I'll check on the weekend for casting marks.

Reading old posts, I note that Jeff Plowman reported in one of his books that the Schofield tank had one bogie replaced in England.

As for bogie springs, I used a macPherson strut tool once, and watched in horror as the threaded rods bent (elastically) each time I tightened it. I was pleased to see the end of that job! At least I got 4 good pairs of inner and outer springs out of it.

The LP spring dismantler tool is a breeze to use when the spring balls are free. We only seem to have NOS Universal carrier spring rods, so I had the tool adapted to a Whitworth thread.

Well keep up the good work David

Rob Beale
LP2 (NZ) MG

ron · #34 01-11-06, 11:47

Hi David,
Fantastic job I well know how much work goes into a restoration like yours, you should be proud of your progress, keep the pictures coming we all enjoy them and look forward to following your progress,
Regards,
Ron,

Lynn Eades · #35 01-11-06, 21:08

Looking good. Your power to weight ratio is only going to get worse. I bet she boogies like she is! Keep the pics coming.

David Ellery · #36 02-11-06, 02:52

Thanks guys, nice to get the feedback, Lynn, yeah she really takes of in a hurry, nose in the air and backside down as you apply power

but as the armour goes back on that will slow things down a bit. A question for the Kiwi carrier blokes, I notice in my parts manual for the NZ built carriers that it includes the parts for the mesh frame etc over the radiator scoop intake, yet all the pictures I've seen so far of carriers in their day none of them are fitted with the mesh screen, were any fitted at all ? as I'd like to with mine as with some of the Aussie carriers.
David....

David Ellery · #37 12-04-07, 08:31

Hi there, Recently I was given the remains of the front end of a LP 2 carrier, unfortunately it didn't have the vision slot plates I was after, but it did have the glasial plate and enough hull side steel to fabricate the parts wanted. After alot of gas axing and tiding up with files and grinder, the plates are tacked and ready to stitch weld together. I'm wrapped with the front guards, they only took 4 hours to make and the weldings improving with each part I make, sought of

. The steering has taken a bit of time to get right , unfortunately the cross shaft which the centre bogies hang of is badly pitted with rust on the drivers side where it makes contact with the roller, so when doing a right hand turn the brakes come on real quick which makes for instant turning, looks cool in the right places, but watch out parked cars

Cheers David...

David Ellery · #38 12-04-07, 08:35

pic 2

Rob Dyba · #39 12-04-07, 09:53

100% bloody excellent standard to date, I'd better lift my standards a bit on mine I think...............

Rob

David Ellery · #40 18-08-07, 03:56

Heres a couple of pics of the new Radiator scoop I've had to make, as trying to source an original has been fruitless, I'll have to make all the stowage brackets to fit as well. So they should keep me busy for the next month or so.

David Ellery · #41 18-08-07, 03:59

and fitted

Lynn Eades · #42 18-08-07, 04:49

She's looking better every time.... Looking great!... Keep it up....(Can I say that?)

ron · #43 18-08-07, 05:10

Hi David,
What a fantastic job on the air scoop, how on earth did you get that top radious done, your machine is looking really fine,well done
Regards,
Ron.

David Ellery · #44 18-08-07, 07:58

Thanks Lynn, are you going to Ohinewai ? if so we'll see you there. For the MLU people, Ohinewai is a place between Auckland and Hamilton where a meeting has been arranged for all tracked and wheeled Armour to come and play for a day. One of the main attractions is a Chieftain which I'm hanging out to see. After the event we'll post some pics here.
Hi Ron, I took the steel to a sheet metal fabricater and he bent the radius into it for me, it was on the maximum of what he could fold though, otherwise I might have been in trouble.
cheers David...

ron · #45 20-08-07, 12:59

Thanks David it sure looks great, I am leaving here in the morning at 4 am .for a 1000k trip to get some more parts, there is an air scoop in this lot but a little the worse for wear looks like they might have dropped a tree on it at some time,
Regards,
Regards,

Lynn Eades · #46 20-08-07, 23:19

I will be there. Arranged the day off last night.

Col Tigwell · #47 20-08-07, 23:25

If you build your houses to the same standard, they would be worth buying.

A great job

Regards

Col

David Ellery · #48 30-12-07, 09:43

Hi there, heres where I'm at with the carrier now, boy a big difference in driving now the weights gone on, still lots of brackets etc to go on. The main push is to finish building the seat frames and then paint her up as MOTAT our local Museum holds a Military weekend in March with a call going out to all Carrier owners to attend so I'm nearly there. Cheers David....

gordon · #49 30-12-07, 11:56

It looks like you got the essential parts of the old machine and just fabricated a new carrier, pretty much.

I get tired making compromises building up old original components to do the job when I really should just fabricate new, so I'm impressed.

David Ellery · #50 31-12-07, 05:17

Hi Gordon, I'd love to use original parts if I could find them ,unfortunately what turns up is well and truly rooted from corrosion

. So making new parts is easier and faster I find. Although there's plenty of bits that I can't make and will have to wait for but the main thrust is to get her up and running to play with as well as educate those who are interested in its History etc . Happy New Year from the south Pacific.... David

Gordons · #51 31-12-07, 06:13

Try Midwest Miltitary www.midwestmil.com for reproduction parts for Universal Carriers. engine covers, brakcets, tool box's, trays, etc. steering adjusting gauges.

David Ellery · #52 31-12-07, 11:57

Hi Gordon, thanks for the contact, the only problem is that the Australian and New Zealand pattern Carriers have nothing that is interchangeable with the British or Canadian Carriers.
Our Carriers are literally a different machine from the track through to the steering components.

time to go 4 minutes to 2008

David...

darron swift · #53 01-01-08, 21:44

Hi David the carrier is looking mighty you must be proud of the job you have done it is a real credit to you.I have been tracking a long with my one and will post some photos soon.Happy new year Darron.

David Ellery · #54 02-01-08, 00:20

Gidday Darron, seasons greetings to you. Look forward to seeing some more pics of your Carrier, better still will you be bringing it to Motat in March ? Cheers David.....

darron swift · #55 02-01-08, 12:22

Hi David im at present going as hard out to have it ready for motat going or not i hope to have it there just working on the v8 at the moment found one mainafold broken in half but have since got another west coast ford love me at the moment.Hope to catch up with you soon. Cheers Darron.

David Ellery · #56 02-06-08, 10:23

A couple of shots of the Carrier a few months ago, building her back up to this stage was probably the easy bit, now finding or fabricating all the brackets,boxes etc will take some work and time. The insignia is of 1 Tonga Battalion 1943. Tonga had been garrisoned by United States Forces early in the peice, but with the Allies stopping the Japanese advance further into the South Pacific New Zealand was called on to releive the US Forces for the push against the Japanese. The story goes that some of the LP2 Carriers supplied went onto Guadalanal,

Justin Pollard · #57 02-06-08, 12:23

Hello David,cant see any pics in your latest post,but going back over the thread, what you have done is a real credit to you,top work.
i also have a general question for the forum,how do you look at old threads as it only says ther a 26 threads?.but there must be more like this one.

Justin Pollard · #58 02-06-08, 12:26

Cancel my last ,i found out how,danfangled computers!

David Ellery · #59 03-06-08, 11:25

Yeah, sorry Justin, can't seem to get the pics to stick. Will try again latter.
David...

Ledsel · #60 03-06-08, 17:34

Hi David. When you post pictures don't preview them ,just send.