Chris's Halifax Restoration

Flyingtanker · #1 08-06-09, 02:27

Hi Everyone, tought I would start my own restoration page. A long road still ahead of me.

To recap on my projects history. Got a Hull with complete with suspension in A1 shape last summer. It spent its life in a arid environment so little to no erosion. It is however missing the top armour and all the guts of the carrier. The nose was removed and replaced with a 1/4 plate to accomidate a wooden box that was on top.

The engine that came with it however was not so lucky as it spent its life miles away used as a saw mill that was located in a rainy area. It was retrieved when I purchased it but has met its end due to lack of care.

Thanks to Stephen/Speura I was able to ger my hands on a second carrier that was destined for the crusher at a scrap metal yard. This carrier was in very sad shape, the main hull being very eroded and warped. It did however contain alot of the parts that my carrier did not. So basically I am able to make one good carrier out of the two.

My focus presently is removing and preserving parts from my second carrier so that they are ready to be used. Also I am working on preparing the whole nose(Glacius plate top and bottom) of the second carrier to remove and replace the replace the nose of the good carrier. With luck it will fit like a glove

The rest of the plates I need will be easy in comparison.

I will still need alot of parts to come in the next few year. I have found a couple of replacement engines I may buy although they are newer model engines(ie 50's). I have had trouble locating the 9 inch axle as I only have the sproket drums(final drives). Most of the other parts I need can either be fabricated of hopefully sourced.

cantankrs · #2 08-06-09, 11:11

Hi Chris,

Best Wishes on your project.
I'm not a guru on carriers so what model have you got, and also where are you located in the world?

Regards

Alex
--
M3 Grant, Val, Ferrets, WM20, CMP's

NORTH-SHORE(CANADA) · #3 08-06-09, 11:46

Hi Chris's,
Nice to hear from you again and happy to see the projet

Flyingtanker · #4 08-06-09, 11:47

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

The carrier I am restoring is a Mk 1 and the second carrier I have is a Mk 2

RichardT10829 · #5 08-06-09, 13:04

thought i had it tough.... good luck with your restorations. looking at the one in the shots you have provided appears to be the Mk2, do you have any shots of the Mk1 ?

cheers

Rich

Flyingtanker · #6 08-06-09, 21:08

The first, second and fourth picture are of the MK 1

K713 · #7 08-06-09, 23:10

Very nice Bren Carrier, Good Luck for the restoration ...

Brad Mills · #8 10-06-09, 02:18

Chris,

Glad to see you made it back safely from your jaunt down south. Oh the perks... Nice to see your starting to pick away at that project!

I have a couple of surprises on the way which may interest you :-)

Brad

Philliphastings · #9 10-06-09, 06:10

Everytime I see images of another carrier project it serves to inspire my own work.

I will shortly try to arrange to have pics of my own project posted by a third party.

Good luck with your worthy undertaking

Chers

Phill

Flyingtanker · #10 30-07-09, 02:32

I am trying to get a rear axle for my carrier and have met someone who says he should be able to get me one. I just need to know what range of axles are compatible. As a note I do have the Final Drives/Brake Drums that attach to the axle.

I know it is a 9 inch, split axle, from a half ton truck. What is the range of years that are compatible? Also does anyone have some extra specs that I havent covered for the axle? Any help is appreciated thanks.

Ledsel · #11 30-07-09, 04:56

It's not a half ton it's a 2TON. Late 30's 40's and early 50's

RichardT10829 · #12 30-07-09, 10:47

on a side note and as a thought you may want to give consideration.......you may struggle to find the correct shims to fit the hull, if you fit a drive axel to the tub and drive it without it being correctly shim'd the hull will crack (so i am told)

in other words what ever axel you get make sure you shim it up before bolting it on

Flyingtanker · #13 30-07-09, 19:08

Thanks for the advice, as always your help is greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

Flyingtanker · #14 04-08-09, 17:46

I did'nt even bleed once during this operation!

TroyKirkby · #15 26-08-09, 22:09

Chris - I'm new to the MLU group and reside not too far from you. I have a line on a couple of Mk2's and in the middle of $ negotiations with the owner. My Grandfather was a ReeMee during WW2 and it's my intention to restore one of these carriers and have it shipped to Holland in 2015 to participate in 70th anniversary observations. My grandfather was in Holland just after the liberation in 1945.

PM me as I'd like to speak with you directly.

Cheers,
Troy Kirkby