Valentine saved in Western Australia

Rod Diery · #1 29-10-07, 14:42

A couple of weeks ago I got to move a Valentine tank for a mate of mine. He has just bought it off another farmer here in Kulin. We pushed it on to the low loader with a front end loader. The old bloke standing looking at all the action is Dave Quicke who originally bought this tank in the early 1950s and used it as a tractor on his farm until about 1985. He had a tear in his eye to see it go.

Cheers
Rod

2) The loader had to work hard

3) It was an unusually wet day for October in WA. This is the second time I have moved this tank. I moved it from one of Dave Quicke's farms to another about ten or so years ago. I must be one of the most experienced Valentine removalists in WA by now.

4) Getting it off was easier than getting it on.

5) Here is my mate Gerry with his new pride and joy. Gerry has been looking for a tank or a carrier for years now.

Rod Diery · #2 29-10-07, 15:00

This is a shot of the much modified drivers position. For the record, this tank is a Valentine II or III, I'm not sure which. It's powered by the AEC 131 hp diesel and it sounds like an old Pommy bus when it's idling which is not unusual given it's provenance.

Ryan · #3 30-10-07, 09:29

Great pics Rod. Looks like it was a decent fall of rain over there. What does your friend Gerry have in stall for the Valentine?
Ryan

Rod Diery · #4 30-10-07, 11:45

Quote:

Originally posted by rynoki
Great pics Rod. Looks like it was a decent fall of rain over there. What does your friend Gerry have in stall for the Valentine?
Ryan

G'day Ryan, Glad you liked the pics. We got about 30mm of rain that day. A bit late really although the farmers around will probably get about an average return at harvest time. Lucky the wheat prices are sky high.

Gerry is going to concentrate on getting the Valentine going and will probably keep it in it's tractor guise. There were heaps of these things imported into WA as tractors but not many are still going.

Ross Wahlsten from Merredin WA has got a Valentine all restored to original with a turret he got from NZ. His tank also came from Kulin where it had been used as a tractor as well.

Cheers
Rod

eddy8men · #5 10-04-11, 11:26

i've always liked valentines, it was a well thought out little tank and had a fighting chance against german armour once the 6 pdr gun was fitted.

any news on the restoration.

eddy

maple_leaf_eh · #6 10-04-11, 15:20

Years ago I corresponded with a Brit who found a DD Valentine. When his pulse resumed its normal rate, he decided to be responsible (?) and give this tank its due. He had a heart to heart with the Residential Sergeant Major. She acknowledged the discovery was going to change her husband's life, but accepted his mission.

One thing that I remember from the reconstruction was how each tank was built individually. The workshop crew would 'consult' the drawings, then go to the tank and attach whatever was next on the build. Bolt holes weren't symetrical from side to side. Hinges weren't evenly balanced or turning on the same throw. Just about anything installed was different. Good luck with the Valentine, and bear in mind the drawings were never followed slavishly. They were a guide.

eddy8men · #7 10-04-11, 23:54

i've spoken to john pearson(dd val) about valentines as i'm looking for one for myself. he was kind enough to let me know the location of several range wrecks that i later visited, although they were totally blown apart they blew the rivets so it was more like a kit of parts than a normal shot up wreck.

eddy

The Bedford Boys · #8 11-04-11, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddy8men

i've always liked valentines, it was a well thought out little tank and had a fighting chance against german armour once the 6 pdr gun was fitted.

any news on the restoration.

eddy

Have you ever sat in a Val eddy? If you havent, go do so and then tell me it's a well thought out little tank!! They are a ba**ard!!! You have to fold yourself up like a piece of oragami, and with your feet on the pedals, you could literally kiss your own a**. They are typically english.

Lynn Eades · #9 11-04-11, 09:48

which WWII tank did you find comfortable and spacious?

The Bedford Boys · #10 11-04-11, 09:58

M3A1 Stuart isn't too bad.

Roddy de Normann · #11 12-04-11, 20:58

Good Evening Rod, good evening all...

Ref the Valentine, do you have an veh details from the makers plate - would be very interested in the WD T Number...

Thanks

Roddy

eddy8men · #12 13-04-11, 10:49

i've never been in a valentine but i'm working on it. i don't think they built them for comfort or even speed for that matter

but i still like it, it looks well proportioned and relatively modern looking when compared to it's contemparies ie- matilda 1,2 and churchill. i was reading a book not long ago which described 2x6pdr vals stalking and killing a tiger in the tall grass of the russian steps. not bad for a little tank

eddy

Lynn Eades · #13 13-04-11, 12:34

is an infantry tank, built to travel with soldiers on foot. So, not fast.
I agree Eddie, not a bad looking tank for that time. I fitted in them no trouble at all...when I was 10.

Rod Diery · #14 13-04-11, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roddy1011

Good Evening Rod, good evening all...

Ref the Valentine, do you have an veh details from the makers plate - would be very interested in the WD T Number...

Thanks

Roddy

I don't think there is a makers plate still on it. I will check again when I can.
Cheers
Rod

tankbarrell · #15 13-04-11, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bedford Boys

Have you ever sat in a Val eddy? If you havent, go do so and then tell me it's a well thought out little tank!! They are a ba**ard!!! You have to fold yourself up like a piece of oragami, and with your feet on the pedals, you could literally kiss your own a**. They are typically english.

I am tall, long legged and not known for my origami abilities but I managed to drive a Valentine ok and that was with a recently broken arm which meant I had to change gear with my left hand......

I will admit my Sherman is a bit roomier...

Bob Cohoon · #16 14-04-11, 20:01

I think the Valentine had the quality of being hard to hit due to its low profile and compactness ,qualities someone realized at Vickers and a lot of other designers missed. A plate of steel 6 ft. x 3 ft 1" thick will weigh the same as a 5 ft x 2.4 ft piece 1 1/2" thick

Rob Endersbee · #17 07-05-11, 02:08

Hi all
Just a little more info on the Valentine that Rod shifted..
If anyone has the book "The Vickers Tanks, from Landships to Challenger", there is a photo on page 118 of this tank being used on the farm!
The original owner is a great character and was very interesting to talk to about using the tank as a bulldozer/tractor, also his visit to the Vickers factory and how well received he was.
cheers
Rob