T17E1 Staghound Restoration project

[Frank L.]

Well, I'm back at it I guess. After being gone on tour to Afghanistan and on courses for the better part of a year I now have a new focus until I deploy again this August.

With the completion of the Ferret for the Regiment we are now going on to a bigger project.

We now have a T17E1 Staghound and are in dire need of any information that this site can help out with technical information, schematics, diagrams, layouts of vehicle kits etc.

As always I'll be looking through this site for previously posted information as it always proves to be a treasure trove for restoration freaks like me.

The time line is quite tight for completion....rolling for 7 Nov 2008. That's right, a little over a year from now.

I think we can do it with the help of folks here on this 'grate' site.

I will post pics as they become available and also as the project progresses along, seeing as this vehicle isn't very common these days.

Geoff....yes it's me. How's Venerable Dame these days?

Regards

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Well, sumbitch, you bugger! You had me fooled for a minute, until the 'grate' bit, hehehehe... glad you're about to dive into something useful for a change!

We'll give it our best shot re information, sources, tech expertise etc. All you have to do is ask.

May I ask you to start photographing the thing from start to finish? Right off the bat, it would be good to see what you're working with! A detailed appreciation of the veh as it stands would be good, too.

Photos should be no wider than 700 pixels, preferably 600, and saved with medium compression so that they're not any larger than 120kb. Do NOT try to preview them - once you've selected a pic in the attachments box, just go ahead and post - if you preview, it'll strip the attachment.

'Venerable Dame' is known here as 'Vets Dottir 2nd', and is online here every day. She's been out west now for almost two years. Say hello, Frank!

[Frank L.]

I'll be taking some pics soonest tomorrow sometime. We're in the middle of ranges and TMST all this week.

The welds have been shaved off all hatches it doesn't look all that bad at all. The engines are going to be professionally refurbished as well.

The big thing is the crew compartment, Turret (with stab system and hydraulics) and of course the brake system. Power train will be a mouth full, but if anyone is willing to either part or copy a manual it'll be worth it for the WW2 vets who will take it out for a spin when she's up and running.

As for diving into something more useful....training for another tour and getting my tank crew ready plus this....my plate is full methinks!

Regards

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Frank

Better you than me, eh??!!

Is it the Winchester Bog vehicle? How's you get it out?

Pics pics pics!!

I'll see what I can do offline for you too.

regards
Darrell

[Frank L.]

Nope.....and it's pretty much intact, better than the Ferret in fact.

Just gathering information and such, pics will be coming along in the next few days due to me being busy doing TMST again.

Like always Darrell....anything you'd provide would be 'grate'.

Regards

[Darrell Zinck]

Frank

I've made contact with Clive at the RCA Museum for you. You should see the emails on your DWAN. Use his civvy email as he rarely opens his Mil one.

Also, have you thought of asking ALex Blair for any help?

Now, I want the whole story on this Stag. Send it to me DWAN if you want. I was still dealing with Doug G. in Australia for a trade using Cdn Lynxes.

regards
Darrell

[Dan Sicotte]

C'mon Frank, that ferret was a restorer's dream. Too bad the interior was painted white.....blame the RSM. How are things?
Have you seen my ride?
I think the unit should have it towed up to Pet, and we can drag race the two Ferrets Nov 7th.

[Frank L.]

Hi Dan, long time no see. Nice ride BTW.

The Ferret is still having a few problems IRT brakes and batteries discharging, but it's being handled.

The Stag is in MUCH better shape than the Ferret ever was, so the project shouldn't be that bad....if we're allowed to do a proper job on it, say over the course of a year to 2 total.

As always, others are in charge of the timeline and not yours truly.

Regards

[Ian Pullen]

Frank, what books /info are you after for the Stag??

[charlie fitton]

Quote:
Now, I want the whole story on this Stag. Send it to me DWAN if you want. "

We ALL want the whole story, and the pictures.../

[Frank L.]

Like I said.....I'll be getting some pictures and posting them up soonest, as well as the progress on the Stag itself.

I am currently getting ready for another tour to Afghanistan and am quite busy training. That being said, the team will be working on our own personal time and may not be at regualr intervals.

Darrell.....check other means.


Regards

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Incoming PM. FUP accordingly, mate.



Jif

Originally posted by Frank L.
Geoff....yes it's me. How's Venerable Dame these days?

Regards

hey you ... nice to hear from you in here and nice to be asked after by you, have wondered about you too, so it's nice to get a biit of updating currently my keyboard is malfunctional so can't be yappy until i can replace it ... hopefully byy next week it's like hard labor to try using this one ...

have fun with the rrestorations ....

vdpw ma yappy karmen :witch

[Frank L.]

Originally posted by Ian Pullen
Frank, what books /info are you after for the Stag??

PM inbound Ian!

Regards

[Dan Sicotte]

Frank,
If the REGT needs brake parts, I have sources in the U.K that have all sorts of parts, that weren't butchered by the old team leader........ but the funds are NPF right?
As for the batteries, I put a master switch/ battery cut off so they wouldn't drain. It could also be a voltage regulator problem, or even a bad ground. Did the Mk 1 have a generator or alternator? I can't seem to remember.
Any how, keep your head down, and the Stab on.
Dan

[Frank L.]

Originally posted by Dan Sicotte
Frank,
If the REGT needs brake parts, I have sources in the U.K that have all sorts of parts, that weren't butchered by the old team leader........ but the funds are NPF right?
As for the batteries, I put a master switch/ battery cut off so they wouldn't drain. It could also be a voltage regulator problem, or even a bad ground. Did the Mk 1 have a generator or alternator? I can't seem to remember.
Any how, keep your head down, and the Stab on.
Dan

Not really. They seem to be holding up well so far. Mind you if we do require them we'll have to purchase them. The funds are from the Guild.

The batteries will still drain even with the master switch mod which we did a while ago. It seems to be draining from either the genny or the wiring harness....but that's another story for another thread.

Tomorrow a few of us from the Team are going in and doing a full assessment on the Stag as well as taking a shyte load of pics for reference material.

While we're at it the Ferret will be put on the charger and given a once over. This is in preparation for Leliefontein.

Regards

[Frank L.]

Well as promised, here are some of the pictures of the main gun, the outside of the vehicles as well.

Enjoy!

[Frank L.]

Side profile.

[Frank L.]

Right engine. Unfortunately one weld was left on the cover over the left engine so no picture is available until sometime next week.

[Frank L.]

The main gun has been welded for deactivation. This will be sorted out.

[Frank L.]

Bow gunner's position.

[Frank L.]

Driver's consol. Hopefully with any luck they will still be readable with a bit of TLC.

[Frank L.]

Plate on the side of the gun on the gunner's side.

[Frank L.]

Another plate in excellent condition.

[Frank L.]

Plate denoting throttle positions

[Frank L.]

Elevation and azmuth hand cranks in the gunner's position as viewed from the floor behind the bow gunner.

[Frank L.]

Not too sure what this thing is for....anyone have an idea?

It is spring loaded and has no locked position. It can only be turned clockwise 90 degrees and no more.

It's position is under the gun near the commander's side.

[Frank L.]

Gunner's side viewed from the bow gunner's position under the gun.

[Frank L.]

Underneath the main gun. Looks fairly workable.

[Frank L.]

View of the main gun from the back of the turret. Coax mount and ammo box mount are still there as is the ammo ramp leading from the left, over the gun to the MG mount on the right.