Ozzy Grant barn find

Armor/AFV 1:1 Tank Talk
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Been following the Aus Armour museum Grant tank restoration build and this is the latest episode.

They go on an adventure and what they find is like a tanker restorers wet dream!

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Very cool indeed.

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Part 2

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What a goldmine!

Gotta’ love the STIHL® sprue cutters! :carpentry_saw:

—mike :grin:

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Not a gold mine - GRANTS-R-US

Mal

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Good Lord! They definitely have at least one fully restorable Lee/Grant with spares for a second. It’s like discovering the Treasure of Sierra Madre. The Museum will have their hands full, but it’ll be a joy to bring one of those Lee/Grant tanks back in fully working condition.

You know? This actually motivates me to add a Lee/Grant to my stables. Already have a couple Shermand and a handful of Stuarts… WHY NOT? :grin:

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Or third… They have one in progress with a lot of reproduction parts, and now at least two good hulls with most of the original bits they were missing, and several different 75mm guns to choose from. Note they are trying to restore a late Australian Grant, a post-war variant that soldiered oh until the 1950s and were modified from the “As Built” standard. Sherman VVSS bogies (and tracks) are the most noticeable, along with the applique armour. I believe they were supplied from British stock bought prior to Lend-Lease and therefore did not need to be returned to the U.S. or paid for, unlike later stuff such as Shermans. (Most Fireflies are in Argentina because they weren’t restored to their “as supplied” format and the U.S. had no use for the 17pdr, so after their repatriation they were earmarked for use as military aid.)

Cheers,

M

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Regardless; they found a large supply of original parts that will greatly help them in completing their current restoration, replacing the reproduction parts with originals and enough of a complete hull to start a second, maybe even a third, as you commented.

It is a great haul, no matter how they decide to go about it.

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The hulls in question are present on the “Surviving Panzers” in the appropriate .pdf document, but not the treasure trove of components. If you are not familiar with the site, here it is:
http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Panzers.html
The Lee/Grants are listed in the “Shermans” section.
Autralia also seems well stocked with Matilda and Valentine hulls.

Cheers,

M

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Here’s part 3

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Just amazing. :heart:

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Latest episode number 24, fitting the 37mm and first test drive.

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“Irony” In Australia, firearms are taboo but tanks and canon are good. Not trying to be political and I do understand the reasons but the irony is still present.

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Quote;
“Irony” In Australia, firearms are taboo but tanks and canon are good. Not trying to be political and I do understand the reasons but the irony is still present.

Gun laws in Australia are similar to those in the UK, to lawfully own a gun, you must have a license and a demonstrable need for the gun, self defence is not included in that ‘need’. Both the UK law and Australian laws were tightened up after major shootings.

To own a tank in the UK the gun must be deactivated, in most cases this involves a hole being drilled or cut into the barrel and in some cases also a plug welded into the breach. If it is kept on private land then no drivers license is need but if it will be taken on public roads a relevant drivers license is needed. I believe if on public roads you also need a ‘commander’ with comms with the driver due to the restricted view the driver has even when driving with his head out.

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And also to what Luciano said, the Commander or one of the turret crew should also be indicating if the veh is making a turn, regardless of if it has indicators fitted as below

CTT1

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I wasn’t aware of that change. I believe previously in the UK it was at the discretion of the Chief Constable as to the status of the main armament, given the “need” to fire blank charges. While HMS Cavalier was rotting up north a Firearms Certificate (with a named “Keeper”) was required for her 4.5" guns, something similar is required for reproduction cannons/firearms used by re-enactors. With armoured vehicles smoke dischargers MUST be deactivated as they count as “multi-barreled weapons” which require direct Home Office approval, which one won’t get. Note that even if a weapon is technically legal and may have been licensed the Police have “subtle methods” of persuading the possessor to get rid of it; as I believe occurred to a gentleman when the local constabulary realised the “.55 bolt action target rifle” they had certificated for years was a Boys ATR.

Cheers,

M

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I believe that musuems and in some circumstances authorised dealers who hold a correct type of licence can have tanks with a live barrels for reenactments etc. Other than that, the main armament should be deactivated and certified as such.
There are also other rules about driving them on public roads. As well as at least 2 people being in the vehicle (driver and one in the turret), you also have to have rubber pads fitted to the track (or rubber track), I think they have to be a certain weight as well there was another but I forget what it was. If the wagon breaks any of those criteria, it has to have a local special movement order issued.

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Episode 25, engine stress test and starting the final fit out. Nearly finished

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I’m getting security thingy that I cannot bypass

Disregard, working now

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Next instalment, fitting the 37mm, cupola, grenade mesh and engine deck.

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