New UCW project

[Petr Brezina]

New fan installed - very powerful
Few new parts painted and mounted. Now working on the lower engine covers.
Also checked the mixture with old Colortune - lovely gadget!

[Lynn Eades]

Looking great Petr!

[Petr Brezina]

Thanks Lynn! Lower engine covers finished

[Petr Brezina]

Lower engine covers finally finished a fitted. Also took her for a test ride with the new cooler and fan. Performing well, temperature 185-195°F, looks we are ready

[Petr Brezina]

During the trials, we have found out that she is not sometimes willing to turn. It looks like the one or both brakes lost their effectivity temporarily. Usually it happens after few miles or ride, brake drums are relatively hot, but still can hold a hand on it without the problem.
When cold she turns freely and on the spot, so I think it must be connected with the brake pads temperature.
However, brakes and linkages are adjusted according to the spec. Certainly it will need some tuning, maybe I should loosen the brakes for one click, to keep them colder. Will see.

[Petr Brezina]

Just finished a couple of spare track pins. Could be useful in spare parts bin

[Petr Brezina]

Started work on the rear seats

[RichardT10829]

Could be as simple as driving technique Petr. Make sure when you are turning that your inputs are short and sharp, on and off in bites rather than long dragged out turns, that way you don’t cook your brakes. Personally on my carrier I had the brake steer commence when the wheel was at 90 deg or ever so slightly over, that stops you dragging shoes when using cam steer.

Did you setup the steering with the correct tools to adjust the linkages ?

[Petr Brezina]

Yes Richard, I'm trying to do just short and sharp inputs to the brakes, but hey, I'm still learning.
What surprises me is that even when the brakes are hot, but not very hot they are losing the efficiency significantly. I would expect that they will last longer. Maybe its normal I don't know.
The steering is set according to the specification with the tools, cca 110° left/right on the wheel to the full brake.

[RichardT10829]

New brake linings ? I put woven linings in mine then profiled they to match the drums, massive difference in performance. Not sure what to advise, I take it you are not dragging a shoe ?

[Petr Brezina]

Could be connected with the linings, but I haven't opened them yet.
They should be new, but maybe not profiled, maybe oiled? Must check it someday...

[RichardT10829]

There is a bedding in period which unless you have profiled the shoes to match the drums, may explain your woes.. if you can find mynold build thread Richie’s Mk1 (from memory) there was much discussion on there regarding the issues and profiling shows etc etc

[Petr Brezina]

Interesting reading, Richard, thank you!

[Petr Brezina]

Some of you propably remember that there was one "mystery" part in batch of parts from my Mk.III which no one could recognize.
Now I can say this mystery has been solved! I was thinking about the center hole and its purpose and got some idea. Today I proved it by test. Part TL14588 (which I couldnt find even in Chilwell) is new style of blanking board which we are used to see made from plywood. This last evolution is made from steel and apparently used on last types of UCs.
Happy to solve it

[Petr Brezina]

So, I have loosened both drums for one click and it seems to be working!
We took her for some serious ride in the terrain during the weekend and everything was working perfectly. Also cooling is OK, no more overheating.
Very happy!

SHORT VIDEO

[Petr Brezina]

Another small step forward - rear seats are finished.

[Petr Brezina]

Last weekend we were attending one military show in Slovakia. A lot of coffee, a lot of beer. She was performing very well, no issues.

[Petr Brezina]

After a while, I'm back! Finally installed the proper voltage regulator (well, at least proper for V8 flathead). Properly charging now.
Next steps are few small bits and the tripod holder.

[Petr Brezina]

Just very small progress, but anyway - gunner has two handgrips to catch on since today

[Petr Brezina]

Another show, this time in the Czech Republic. Had some fun.

[Petr Brezina]

Few new parts in the production

[Petr Brezina]

And some are finished

[Michael R.]

That is a swell job Petr. The loophole blocking plate looks excellent.
Your carrier project is inspirational.

[RichardT10829]

Ditto, love reading your updates, you have done wonderful work resurrecting your carrier

[Petr Brezina]

Thank you gents for your kind words. It always cheers me up

[Ron Pier]

It's very nice indeed Petr you've done a super job. I particularly like the detail of all the information stenciling around and about and you've inspired me to add some to my own Canadian MK11*.......Does anyone know of any information or directive to what it should have? Ron

[Petr Brezina]

Hi Ron, there is one very useful thread regarding carriers stenciling somewhere here. Can't find it now, but its there.
It was my primal source, then pictures (as you know I'm interested in british made carriers, so it could slightly vary).
Attached are some stencils for your reference.

[Ron Pier]

Thanks for that Petr. I'll look for that thread also, in case it divulges the requirement for my MK2* Ron

[Petr Brezina]

Spent a weekend in the woods with some carrier crew drill, night riding, placing the Bren etc.
Mud everywhere, but what did you expect?

[Petr Brezina]

More photos