Armoured Engineering

Come and find the Armoured Engineering crew at Tankfest 2019. We will be loitering around the recently restored M24 Chaffee or the Stuart M3A1.
New vehicles being added to the display all the time. Get your tickets now, this event is always a sell out.

Sherman M4A4 - this week we have switched our attention to the removal of the transmission unit. The gearbox has suffered a synchro failure in 2nd gear, and the final drives are in need of an overhaul.
We aim to remove this in the coming week or so using a specially fabricated trolley to support the 3.6t transmission unit.
First jobs are to split both tracks, remove both hubs (both sets of sprockets are incorrect for a Chrysler produced Sherman), and disconnect interior lin...kages such as steering brakes & wiring.
The Multibank engine is currently in pieces due to a catastrophic failure. More on that in a later post.
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Sherman M4A4 -
All five engines have been removed from the main crankcase for an inspection before re-building with new gaskets and seals. Our findings were not what we anticipated. All five engines have suffered from a lack of oil pressure and caused considerable damage to the crankshaft journals. We will now begin the long process of stripping them all done to dig deeper into the issue. We suspect a faulty pressure relief valve is the main culprit, but will inspect all components for damage/wear.

M24 Chaffee after completion of phase one of the restoration. She will return in the Autumn to rectify any issues before being fully fitted out internally. #m24chaffee #tankrestoration #tankmuseum

The M24 Chaffee, recently restored by us, being driven into the Vehicle Conservation Centre after some low level driver training at the weekend.

M24 Chaffee Update -
She has travelled to the Tank Museum, Bovington, after Phase One of the restoration has been completed. It was here that we presented the vehicle to the owner for inspection. After the thumbs up, and a lot of smiles, we were asked to carry out some driver training.
Now the museum have trained crew, the Chaffee will under go some trials to highlight any issues before returning to us in the Autumn for Phase Two. We will then carry out any necessary repair...s and add the final touches.
Here are a few before and after shots to give you an idea of what we have achieved over the past 2 years. Yes, this really is the same tank!
I’d like to thank every member of the team that has contributed to the success of this project.
#m24chaffee #tankrestoration #tankpreservation
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So, this Sherman M4A4 arrived today. The aim is to prep her ready for a week long rally event in September. #sherman #ww2

M24 Chaffee - Flat out just doesn’t describe how busy we have been with this project. Here’s a teaser photo to see you through...

New project also arrived today. Humber Light Reconnaissance Car is in for a mechanical overhaul and a paint job. More details on this project to follow. #humber

M24 Chaffee -
Busy day in the workshop today. Following a visit from the owner, we have now started the rebuild. Transfer box, steering unit, front floor linkages & extinguisher system all fully fitted. We have trial fitted one prop-shaft to check fitment, along with the steering unit oil cooler and pipework. The wiring loom is also going in around the larger components. #m24chaffee #tankrestoration

M24 Chaffee is now painted green externally. The big rebuild starts tomorrow! #m24chaffee #tankrestoration

M24 Chaffee internal white gloss coating complete.

M24 Chaffee
After a long week of fabrication and preparing the hull for paint, we have finally got the interior painted. The front hatch rims were fabricated from scratch using only photos and a hatch pad for reference. We are having to work the weekend to get this completed. We should be fitting large components, wiring, etc by the middle of next week.

One of the M24 Chaffee floor panels being plasma cut at Brenzett Engineering.