Registry of Ex Military Land Rovers
Vehicle Variants => Radio Vehicles => Topic started by: mike_k on December 01, 2015, 09:55:16 PM
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Okay, thanks to the good people at photobucket >:( I have re attached most of the photos, and done a bit of editing. Hopefully it all still makes sense!
I've always been interested in the FFT vehicles, and last week, I finally ended up with one.
From Ian's collection at Toolern Vale, I ended up buying 177 211.
This vehicle is incredibly original, and is as it was when it left service, bar 25 years or so of weathering.
It is one of the last 2A FFTs, and still has all the original kit, including the engine driven generator.
Like Stuarts new LRPV, it had a good collection of lichen.............
It was as parked 25 years or so ago, and the remains of the canopy did a good job protecting the inside until a few years ago.
It still even has the blower fitted, as well as all the radio power boxes.
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Good job Mike,
Congratulations.
Mick
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Again like Stuarts vehicle, all the tyres still held air, try that with 2015 tubes from asia. It came home without incident, ready for a major cleanup.
I was really looking forward to getting rid of all that lichen, I think it had its own eco system in there somewhere.............
Underneath, a lot better than I thought it would be, the only bulkhead rust that I can see is in the two door pillars, not too bad really.
I'll take some more photos tomorrow, the plan for this is to restore and fit some radios.
I'm really not sure what radio kit would be appropriate, but I'll start with the big Larkspur table and go from there. The wings have all the cutouts for the Larkspur ATUs, but in later life the vehicle was fitted with wing mounted tool holders.
Would anyone have any idea what the ETW 015 number plate signifies?
I'm wrapped with this one, it will be a great project.
Cheers,
Mike.
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That was in very original and very good condition. I've bought one of the workshops. Do we know who bought the 2A panel van?
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Last one for tonight, the tub came up well. Several unhappy huntsmans evicted as well.....
Looks like the Larkspur battery carrier may have been fitted at some stage, judging by the holes.
Actually a bit of an edit, this vehicle being a 1970 model, would have had the Australian made battery frame fitted.
A bit like this one, courtesy of Hugh and 114 051.
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Thanks Mick, I'm looking forward to getting into this one, it should come up well and has a lot of hard to find parts still fitted.
Scott, the great thing about Ian's vehicles is that they have never suffered any post service "improvements", and are totally original.
They are a great reference point as to how they were when they were auctioned.
My new FFT has series 3 door hinges on the drivers side, a flat metal Bridge weight sign and lots of other little things that would have been added as it went through its 19 years of service.
Good job on picking up the workshop, if I had of bought one of those as well, it would definitely would have been a Time Bomb once my wife found out!
When I was there on Sunday, the Topo Survey was still there and yet to be put on eBay, unless you know any different. It will be interesting to see what it sells for.
Cheers,
Mike.
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Yeah Time Bomb is the best of the workshops and solid fire wall. Door tops not much good. I'll start a seperate thread. I was interested in the panel van but it must have been sold privately.
I recon Tim Vibert is a good start for radio tray and ATU's.
Look forward to seeing your progress.
Regards
Scott
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Holy Cow Mike :o. I can't believe how similar our new FFTs look. Same paint, same lichen and same general condition.
My FFT/LRPV has the same rust in the bulkhead pillars as yours. It's not very much and is easily repairable. Your photos show many interesting things about your Land Rover. I can now reference the bolt holes and other mods for the radio setup. Wasn't too sure if they were SASR mods of not. Now I know. Thanks ;)
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I'm really not sure what radio kit would be appropriate, but I'll start with the big Larkspur table and go from there. The wings have all the cutouts for the Larkspur ATUs, but in later life the vehicle was fitted with wing mounted tool holders.
Mike
There is a fella over here who has the entire Larkspur FFT setup. He was going to make up an FFT but has now decided other projects are of more importance. I'm sure he will be interested in selling the set.
If interested, I can get him to call you and you can speak direct or I can PM you his email and phone number.
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PM sent Tommy,
That Lichen is now in the past, I hope the WA quarantine mob don't find out about yours.
It is interesting that your LRPV got turned back into a FFT and ended up over here in Victoria, I guess it has made at least 4 trips across the Nullabor now.
I'll post a few more photos of the FFT tomorrow.
Cheers,
Mike.
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PM sent Tommy,
That Lichen is now in the past, I hope the WA quarantine mob don't find out about yours.
It is interesting that your LRPV got turned back into a FFT and ended up over here in Victoria, I guess it has made at least 4 trips across the Nullabor now.
I'll post a few more photos of the FFT tomorrow.
Cheers,
Mike.
Mike
It's too late for quarantine...the lichen has gone to lichen heaven ;)
It's strange but my FFT has had all the radio accessories stripped out of it. The SASR may have done this. Yours appears to have all that gear intact. My FFT may have been returned to the army vehicle pool once finished with by the SASR. The sides of my FFT show that it has at one time, mounted the later/current antenna mounts (same as on yours) for the AN/PRC 25/77 set. My FFT may not have been used specifically as a dedicated radio vehicle but could have had a simply PRC 25/77 setup. More along the lines of a GS with radio :)
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Mike your FFT served in Vietnam as an MP vehicle did it not?
In the ebay advert the chassis no. is 25329302D. Was this wrong? As that number matches 175-292.
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Nice purchase there Mike. There wouldn't be too many this complete left around.
Cheers
Rod
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Just wondering about the pioneer tools. If it had Larkspur gear fitted the pioneer tools would be inside, not on the guards?
Howard
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Hi 2short, how are things over your way?
For some reason, the chassis data plate on this FFT is from 175 292, which is the one on the cover of A cop in a baggy green skin, the book written by a former MP.
However the chassis number and the nomenclature plate confirm it as 177 211, so who knows how it got that data plate? I did know this when I bought it, shame about the Vietnam service, but I am very happy with the vehicle regardless.
If anyone has 175 292, I'm happy to send them the plate! Perhaps I should send it to the bloke who wrote the book....
Rod, I was very keen to pick this vehicle up as it is so original. I do need a RADIO placard though, fortunately I know where to get one. :D
Howard, the vehicle has the full set of brackets for the tools behind the seats, for some reason it was also fitted with the wing mounted holders, probably later in its service.
I'll take some more photos this morning if I can, to show you what I mean.
The ETW 015 number plate has got me baffled, I have found that there are not many photos around of the FFTs when they were in service, especially of the radio fit out.
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Ah, that explains it. But what about all the holes that would have been in the guards for the larkspur ATUs? Are they still there, been filled in, or have the guards been replaced. Interesting little puzzle given that the vehicle is unmodified.
When I got my FFT the tub had been changed for a GS and it had pioneer tool brackets in both locations. I can't recall now if it had the ATU holes.
Howard
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The ETW 015 number plate has got me baffled, I have found that there are not many photos around of the FFTs when they were in service, especially of the radio fit out.
Hi Mike,
One time when I dropped in to visit Ian he talked to me about that number plate and told me what it meant, but I can't recall, maybe speak to Noel and ask him to ask Ian or see if you can visit Ian.
I may have some photos of the FFT from a few years ago, I'll try and find them
cheers
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Things are well Mike.
I've stolen the etw015 photo and posted it onto a group that has many ex service members present. They may help.
Cool landy btw.
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ETW 015:
• Is it a copy of a Vic number plate by previous owner ?
If from Army service, it could be something like:
• Electronic Trades Wing (School of Sigs) (vehicle) 015.
• Engineer Training Wing (School of Mil Engr) (vehicle) 015.
anyways, something to ponder .....
Nice pick up btw :)
Pete
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Howard, the vehicle has a set of Larkspur FFT wings, both sides are of this type.
They are drilled for the cable as well, back towards the bulkhead.
Its very hard to tell if the wings are original, but I suspect that they are. The tool holders were put on later in the vehicles life, they only have one coat of paint, unlike the rest of the vehicle which has at least 4.
Here are the original tool holders behind the seats,
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Scott, Pete and Ryan,
Thanks for the info re the number plate.
I suspect that it was an in service thing, the stenciling is very neat, and it had one at each end. No VIC at the top either, so probably not a Victorian plate, although the dates would be pretty close.
Electronic training wing, Electronic Trials wing, Engineer training wing? It would be good to narrow it down, someone will know out there I guess.
The actual plate has some holes where the ARN plate may have been attached over the top, but who knows. The vehicle would not have been able to drive on the road like that I assume.
Also, the TAC plate had this stencil on it, which pretty much fell off on the way home - any ideas anyone?
I will send a message to Noel, but as you know Scott, he is a hard man to contact.
If you come up with anything Ryan, that would be great!
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Some more photos of the vehicle, as I promised last night,
Here is the engine driven CAV generator,
Makes it hard to check the oil, and even harder to see the Lucas 12 volt dynamo underneath.
It is very securely mounted to the head - it needs to be, looks heavy. I hope it works!
The armoured cables running to the Ammeter and the distribution boxes in the tub,
One of the things that saved this vehicle is the sheer amount of paint that it has, under the wings, there are multiple coats of black and olive drab, which came off in big chunks with the pressure washer.
And the LHS antenna mounting - it looks like it had a different type to the one on the RHS, possibly a Larkspur HF base instead of the later AN/GRC 160 type.
I would be interested to see what everyone thinks, if it had the later antenna base, the paint fading would be different I think.
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Answers so far are it was a run around vehicle for a training establishment.
ETW= electrical trade wing.
Not registered for road use but for use within the base.
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That was quick Ryan,
Which type of unit would it have been attached to?
Does anyone have any photos of similar plates? (Long shot I know) :)
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Hi Mike,
If I was to put money on it , I'd say RAEME Training Centre, Bandiana . Now ALTC .
Like Tommys , came up a treat after a nice bath. Look forward to seeing her when restored.
Mick
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Thanks Mick, good info as usual.
Some kind of training vehicle I guess, that would explain the multiple coats of paint.
It did look a lot better after a cleanup, I had a good look around it today, it looks like it originally had the Larkspur radios judging by the holes in the tub for the battery carrier. It also has the holes for the power distribution panel in the centre of the tub bulkhead. There are no holes in the tub wheel arches so I guess it just had the larkspur table. ( I think!)
I turned the engine over today with the crank handle which is encouraging, I also drained some very stale fuel and a couple of litres of water out of the left hand fuel tank - there's nothing like the smell of old petrol! No fuel cap for 25 years will do that I found.
Hopefully I'll hook a battery up in the next few days and see if I can fire it up.
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Had another look around the FFT today, does anyone recognise this bracket?
It looks like it has been there for a while, is it radio related?
Here is another view ,
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I'm literally talking to John Arnold now. The man that wrote a cop in a baggy green skin. I'll ask if he wants it.
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No worries Ryan,
If he would like it, it would be a good souvenir. And an incredible co incidence as well!
How it got onto 177 211 is anyones guess. ;)
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I asked mike but never got a response.
On another topic. How much paint came off when you pressure washed the lichen off the vehicle?
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2short,
The vehicle had a lot of loose paint on the chassis and under the tub and the front wings. Lots of this came off, multiple coats of black and olive drab. I don't think I'm down to the original paint yet in most spots. As for the body, I really only washed the dirt and lichen off, all of the exterior paint stayed on, although there are at least 3 coats of this as well.
There is a reasonable amount of filler in the front wings from what I can see, which is probably why it looks so straight!
All of this paint has protected the vehicle well though, so it will come up well when I sand it back and repaint it.
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Hi Mike,
these 3 from 3rd July 2012, I've got some from a couple of years before then, I'll have a look but they maybe at home.
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Terrific, thanks very much Scott,
There was also a rats nest on top of the gearbox, as well as the one on top of the cylinder head.
I'm sure those rats are missing their old home, but they have plenty of other options I guess. ;D
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Check this out
scroll down a fare bit and you'll find an FFT set up
http://www.qrz.com/db/VK2BLC
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Yikes!
That is one impressive piece of kit. $125000 U.S. was a lot of money in 1960.
Probably a bit ambitious for my FFT, but if anyone has one lying around, I'm very happy to have a look! :D I'll even pay more than the $70 that they sold for at auction. ;D
At this stage, I'm trying to work out whether to go Larkspur or the later US gear, the tub certainly has a set of holes there for the batteries for Larkspur as well as the outline where the power distribution box brackets were.
Besides, all of the Larkspur harness bits and pieces will be 'fun' to collect......
I have spoken to Tim Vibert, and he has some bits and pieces, but most of them are from the armoured vehicles, and are not totally correct for the Land Rover installation. I currently am selling my CR project and a capstan winch on eBay to help raise some funds, so that should help, some of this radio gear requires a bit of investment.
Anyway, I'll try and get the vehicle running this week, using Tommys patented diesel injection method.
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Hi Mike,
I'm sure I won't be the only one watching on with interest. Keep your updates coming and good luck! I'd be happy to keep an eye out for any radio gear that might suit.
Cheers,
Mick
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Good onus Mick,
I am definitely looking for some, it's going to be fun collecting all of the bits for this one.
My local Aussie disposals had 2 or 3 of the power distribution panels on their shelves for years, I never bought one then, but now I wish I had. ::)
It is going to be a great project, there seems to be a lot more series 3 FFRs around now than the 2A FFTs.
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Hi Mike, you might do some serious research on this vehicle's identity before finally deciding what it's ARN was. It is possible that it is 175292 !!! It may have been rebuilt and the details not recorded in the "Blue Book ". I've come across this in tracing International trucks the army had. There are cases where a chassis is recorded as being in two different trucks at once and some that have not been changed but have. In 1971 I was issued with a brand new FFT 177161. There are huge differences between 161 and "211 ", from the photos you have posted. The first is that 161 was a "Leyland "Land Rover, that is it had the headlights in the in the "wings ", and that meant a different brush guard as well. There was also a battery hold down bracket on the floor behind the seat bulkhead. It held 8 batteries about the size of an N70Z. It appears that all the prefix 177 FFTs were supplied under V112092 contract so in theory they should all be of similar build. It could be that the truck you have is a hybrid of several vehicles that happened during rebuild. I'll see if i can find pix of 161 in service. Apologies if the cats been put among the pidgins
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Thanks for that Bluebell One Eight,
Anything is possible, but I am fairly sure that it is 177 211. The chassis number matches the nomenclature plate, the only thing out of place is the data plate on the bulkhead, which is a removable part!
It also has all of the late 2A features such as the placards on the seat box, late instruments and switches as well as the late type of vent controls. It also has the ADR plate on the headlight panel.
It is a bit confusing, as it has a replacement engine fitted, as well as a good 25 years of weathering! We have seen some complicated chassis swaps etc. but unfortunately I think it is a 1970 vehicle.
In the last year and a bit, I have been steadily collecting all of the radio bits for the vehicle, I have managed to find a radio table, a lot of the radio kit, and some cables etc. This has taken a lot of research, and it looks like no 2 vehicles were the same!
At this stage I am chasing the frame for the power distribution panel, the battery frames for the tub, and the rails for the table attaching it to the tub. Most of these can be made, but I need to make sure that they are correct! If anyone has any leads, please let me know. :D
I have been chipping away at a few bits and pieces, and recently refurbished the battery blower, when I couldn't stand the rust any more! I was pleased to get it running again, after all these years.
Hoping to get her up and running for Corowa 2018, and looking forward to the weather warming up so that I can do some painting.
Cheers,
Mike.
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Well, after a couple of years and a long push through summer, this vehicle is finally back on the road. After 30 years!
As far as I can work out, it was purchased at auction in 1989, driven to Ian's property and that was it until I purchased it in 2016.
It turned out to be really good mechanically, the gearbox was a replacement which still had bits of foam packing stuck to it, the engine (crate engine) looks good after some new core plugs, and the axles came up nicely as well.
I replaced all of the oil seals and gaskets etc, on everything, and so far so good.
It was a bit of a strange one, a lot of the bolts were not original, the seat base was held on with hardware shop stuff, the axle drive flanges were hard ware shop stuff as well, and a lot of the body had non standard bolts holding it together as well. I would like to know the history, it looks like it was put back together at some stage with just anything that was lying around.
The bodywork was the issue, quite a bit of rust in the bulkhead, and about 7 coats of paint on everything. Time consuming, and not my favourite bit!
It is great to finally get it back on the road, not quite finished yet, I need to fabricate a baseboard for the battery trays and finish the wiring for the charging system.
If this thing was a film, the credits would go for a long time, but thanks very much to everyone here who has helped out with parts, advice and support!
Here are a couple of photos, a bit of a contrast I hope to the earlier ones!
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A couple more..
Cheers,
Mike.
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Wow Mike, that is thorough. Factory fresh, maybe better. Congratulations. Ready in time for ANZAC Day too.
The battery blower I had never noticed before. It looks like it has the potential to be a noise maker. If the FFT was hidden away on a hilltop doing relay during an Op... what does it do?
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Thanks Ross, the aim was to get it to an ‘out of the factory’ look and not over restored.
The blower is there to remove the battery gasses when they were on charge. This is a later FFT, (in fact it was in the last batch of 2As delivered), so it has 8 wet cell batteries under the radio tray. The blower is fairly quiet, it is the same motor as the 24 volt heater motor on the pommy radio vehicles.
Yes she should make ANZAC day, just missed out on Corowa, not quite ready or registered at that stage!
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Who did the canopy? NOS? I noticed the curtain.
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Yes, NOS, I bought it years ago in Brisbane, in fact when I recently unpacked it, it still had Ansett bag tags on it...
I was lucky to keep it intact really, over the years it was in danger of being cut down to make a GS one, fortunately I resisted, and that was one of the reasons I bought this vehicle!
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Gosh that looks great Mike. Congrats :)
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Congratulations Mike , very nice
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Thanks for your kind words AGAS and lucipla,
Although it is not quite finished, it is great to get it out of the shed and onto the road.
Once I get the battery frames sorted out, I’m looking forward to installing the radio kit :D
Cheers,
Mike.
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Morning all, having just seen this in the flesh I can concur that Mike has done an absolutely fantastic job on the FFT. Definitely looks factory fresh. Well done Mike, look forward to seeing it at Corowa next year.
Regards Justin.
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Thanks very much Justin, much appreciated!
There have been a couple of running in issues including a partial fuel blockage at the selector tap, (which may have also involved Melbournes freeways at peak hour :-X) but I am pretty happy with it so far. Not bad for a vehicle that didn’t move for just under 30 years!
I will have to get it out and about, and it should definitely be at Corowa next year.
I’m not sure what is happening on ANZAC day yet, but it will be there if anyone needs it.
Cheers,
Mike.
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I have been slowly catching up on a few smaller jobs lately on 177-211.
I managed to get a deal on 4 batteries for the 24 volt system, l’m looking around for 4 more second hand ones to make up the full set.
It had its first big trip up to Dookie a couple of months ago, and it did a pretty good job. The steering is a bit heavy, I need to have a look at the relay in the chassis I think.
There is a really annoying vibration in the drivetrain at about 80 kph or so, it goes away at 90, so I’m thinking there is a prop shaft issue as well.
Otherwise I need to sort out why the 24 volt system will not charge the batteries, and a few other minor niggly issues.
Overall, not bad for a vehicle that spent over 25 years in outdoor storage!
Here are a couple of photos showing the latest progress, I am looking forward to driving it up to Corowa in 2020!
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Very nice job, Mike-k. Looks a treat!
Interesting choice of radio equipment, too - the AN/PRC-47 was a US radio set introduced early in the 1960s, and I'm not aware of too many having survived, so a nice find and good to see it so well set-up with it linked to the Brit Larkspur wireless aerial base. Great job and just that much more interesting than a straight Larkspur or AN/VRC-46 & AN/GRC-125 set-up.
Regards
Mike
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Thanks for your kind words Mike,
Yes, I really wanted to fit the PRC-47, as you say they are pretty thin on the ground these days, and would be correct for a 1970 vehicle.
I was lucky to find a complete installation kit for it, that included the adaptors to fit the radio to a Larkspur mount, the proper antenna mount / base etc. Even in service photos of the vehicles with this set up are uncommon.
Another hard to find part was the Series 2A MX-6707 antenna mount, I have only ever seen one of these, they are not as well designed as the later Series 3 version, as they do not allow the canopy side to roll down neatly.
Putting all the signals kit into the vehicle was almost as big a job as restoring the vehicle, but hopefully it is fairly accurate. It was very satisfying to see it all come together, and I now have a lot more room in the shed now that it is all fitted!
Although projects like this never really finish, I must be getting close!
Cheers,
Mike.
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It was a bit of a strange one, a lot of the bolts were not original, the seat base was held on with hardware shop stuff, the axle drive flanges were hard ware shop stuff as well, and a lot of the body had non standard bolts holding it together as well. I would like to know the history, it looks like it was put back together at some stage with just anything that was lying around.
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Nice job Mike!
If it was in a RAEME training centre, then it would have been in pieces regularly as the apprentices and trade-trainees pulled it apart to do simulated repairs. After doing that a few times; fasteners get lost and broken and replaced with anything that works. When it came time to get rid of it, they would have been told to make sure it was in one piece and going probably.
Memories of the motor-mechanic trainees, pulling engines and gearboxes out of Ford XA utes at 5 EME Services Unit, come flooding back,
Cheers Charlie
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That makes a lot of sense Charlie,
There were lots of hardware shop cheap bolts holding the whole thing together, they were a nightmare to get undone!
Cheap unrated bolts on the axle drive flanges as well, very few of the factory fasteners survived.
Lots of bog, especially in the front wings....
Mechanically though, it was really good, a crate motor and gearbox, and most of the other parts only needed restoration and repainting.
People have told me that Ian (it’s previous owner), always bought good vehicles at the auctions, I would agree!
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Mike,
You mentioned that "I was lucky to find a complete installation kit for it, that included the adaptors to fit the radio to a Larkspur mount, the proper antenna mount / base etc." Indeed you were!
That fact, ie that the Aust adaption to a vehicle-mounted radio (it was developed originally by the US as a back-pack set for special forces) used Larkspur equipment/fittings, gives a good clue as to when it came into service in Australia, as Larkspur was fairly quickly relegated to second-line service in most instances following the introduction of the AN/VRC series and AN/GRC-125 sets from the mid-1960s.
Mike
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Exactly Mike, that is why I was really keen to have the 47 set fitted to the vehicle with the correct Australian vehicle mount kit.
It is basically a couple of adaptors to mount the radio case into a Larkspur mount, fitted to the Larkspur table with a Larkspur antenna.
The battery frames are locally made, as is the antenna mount for the tub, these all have Australian stock numbers.
It is a great piece of adaptation that was probably done in a hurry, but worked well in the field apparently until replaced by the GRC-106.
The only part that I have not yet found is the CV-2455/PRC-47 Converter-Blower, which was used for cooling / teletype ops. Still looking!
Here is a photo of the set up in a 2A with the blower fitted to the PRC-47.
Cheers,
Mike.
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A bit of an update for 2021, on the whole it’s running pretty well.
It had a good run on the Corowa 21 trip earlier this year, without any major issues which was great.
A few niggling problems though,
The driveline vibration was still there, despite changing,
All engine and gearbox mounts for softer ones,
The rear tail shaft,
And adjusting the exhaust position which has very little clearance around the front of the vehicle.
Still there, very annoying at about 85 kph, which was roughly our convoy speed on the trip.
The front driveshaft was brand new, I bought it from the UK when the build was going on a couple of years ago. Not a cheap one either. ::)
A quick drive without it finally saw some improvement, not perfect but a lot better.
I think I’ll try to get it balanced, although the arrows are aligned and it has a balance weight, I suspect that it is out.
I had a good second hand one, with a new set of UJs and a coat of paint, that long saga seems to be over.
The first photo is the dodgy one, the second one is the refurbed old one.
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After the prop shaft saga, there was still a significant vibration at some higher engine speeds, this happened regardless of speed, it was just a result of the engine rpm.
A good look around showed the front exhaust rubbing in a few places at once, as I mentioned, it is very tight running from the down pipe past the steering damper and past the chassis at the front.
It was sometimes hitting the steering damper, so I ended up rotating it through 180 degrees so that the thin end was near the corner of the muffler.
This also meant that the pipe join was next to the thin part of the damper, giving it a bit more clearance.
A bit better but not quite there.....
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The exhaust pipe coming out of the muffler has to thread its way between the front of the chassis and the unit made exhaust protection bar.
This muffler and ‘tailpipe’ was fitted to the vehicle wh.en I picked it up from Toolern Vale, so it is the correct one for the vehicle. (I think!)
The chassis shows a bit of a mark where the pipe must have been rubbing for some time when it was on the road in service. At least I’m not the only one who had to put up with this issue!
The muffler was also hitting the rear edge of the bumper, this was fixed by extending the chassis mount down a bit to make it a bit lower.
The front bracket was adjusted again (!) to get the best gap between the bar and the chassis.
Much better now, I had no idea this front exhaust thing was so complicated. I don’t think it is hitting anything now.
At this stage, I think that this is sorted, but I’ll see how it goes.
With the driveshaft change and getting rid of the exhaust rubbing, it is a lot smoother, not quite as smooth as the GS with the standard rear exhaust, but a lot better.
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Next up was an oil leak.
An oil leak on a Series Land Rover? ;D ;D
Absolutely, but this one was from my rebuilt steering box, which was reconditioned as part of the restoration.
A pretty big leak, all over the chassis and footwell, and dripping on the ground.
One of the things that I thought I’d fixed for the next few years.....
The oil was coming from the output shaft of the box, it looks like another case of dodgy parts again unfortunately.
I bought some steering box o rings and gaskets from the UK, it looks like they used the cheapest Chinese o rings that they could find.
Here are the other ones that are the same as the one I used in the rebuild, they have gone hard and brittle, not really what you want in an o ring.... ::)
A much higher quality part has solved this problem, as well as a fair few hours removing and reinstalling the steering box, just for a crappy cheap o ring. I think I bought these from the UK on eBay, if anyone else is tempted, be careful!
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So, now I’ve got a low vibration, almost oil leak free vehicle, we will see what breaks next. ;D
Also, I was really happy to finally find the blower unit for the PRC 47 radio, this was a fairly big (and hard to find) missing part of the radio kit.
A very helpful seller in the States meant that it arrived in about a month and is now fitted.
Another piece in the puzzle, I need to do some more research and see if it is appropriate to connect the AN PGC-1 teletypewriter to it. I have seen an old photo of a FFT with a small unit made table in the back with a teletype on it but this one had a Larkspur radio fit out, so I’m not sure if this set up is something that would have been used?
Once again, if anyone
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Hmmm, looks like I didn’t quite finish that last post,
I meant to say, if anyone has any information on the TTY setup for the PRC-47, it would be very helpful.
I do have this photo at what is possibly an open day display? ( credit for the photo to Paul Handel’s Anzac Steel site)
I know that this one has the GRC-106 installed, did we even use TTY with the PRC-47?
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Mike, not according to my RASig Corps notes...... but...... that is not a definitive source.
Attached is what it says about the AN/PRC-47 (basically insecure voice and morse)
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This is what I found on Radionerds... the AN/PRC-47 apparently does do RATT via AN/TGC-14 teletype......
I can't say I would be a fan of it though, because its still insecure ie, no crypto
Have fun.
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Thanks for that Pete,
That makes sense, and makes the vehicle fit out almost complete!
I’ll sort the PGC-1 if I ever get a 106 set. ;D
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A bit of an update, with Corowa and Cooma rapidly approaching, a few jobs to get on with…
I was fortunate to unearth another Power supply panel, this one has the Australian mod to fit a cover over the power terminals as well as quick disconnect sockets for the batteries. I always felt a bit nervous about the bare terminals on the original panel, they would be very easy to short!
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I can see why this mod was done, a bit safer I think.
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177-211 came out of service with the old style Lucas 700 headlights with the very dim 40 watt globes. High beam was 50 watts, not much of an improvement……. Originally it would have had sealed beam headlights, so I refitted a pair of these. Much brighter, and it will solve the annoying condensation that the globe headlights always got when it rained.
Another earlier part fitted was the radiator. This was an earlier version with no provision for the overflow bottle. They do find their own level, but the later radiator set up is a bit neater. So a replacement radiator and overflow bottle fitted. Not a straightforward job, the radio generator is definitely in the way here.
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Here’s the issue, I decided to remove the generator here, instead of removing the radiator panel itself. Those tiny self tappers holding the shroud to the back of the radiator are a job that I don’t want to do too often.
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The next job was a big one.
Over the years I’ve been slowly collecting a few bits and pieces for the earlier Larkspur series of radios.
Sourced from the UK, Australia used these in the 60s and 70s mainly, and they were fitted to all of the armour and other vehicles of this period. Including the Land Rover FFT.
177-211 came with all of the fittings for Larkspur, including the reinforced front wings for the ATUs, and various holes in the tub for the cables etc.
These days it is quite difficult to get all of the correct cables and components to assemble a complete station. Understandable, it was all disposed of at least 40 years ago.
I was very fortunate to purchase a complete C42/ B47 setup that included the hard to find trays and cables. This came from a REMLR member in Perth, thanks Ridge! Another REMLR member was able to assist with transport, much appreciated Chris.
That’s what this group is all about, I really appreciate the way we go above and beyond to help each other out.
The crate was sent across the Nullarbor, and I had the start of the setup.
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I spent the last 6 months or so slowly cleaning up all of the components and finding various missing cables and components.
The Dookie emporium had this hiding away, and a bit of trading saw this coming home to join the collection. (Just the radio, I decided against the tables)😁
Definitely getting there now.
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After a fair bit of cosmetic restoration, the main components were good to go.
A military dealer down in Geelong unearthed a decent collection of Larkspur radio sets, and I was able to get a C45 VHF set from him.
And another collection was being sold off down at Point Lonsdale which also had a few bits and pieces.
Tim Vibert also still has some Larkspur gear, that didn’t sell at his auction last year.
Other cables were sourced from the UK, there is still a bit of this kit out there if you look hard enough it seems.
With most of the parts assembled and restored, it was time to see if they would go into the vehicle.
First up were the antenna cables, the wings have a rectangular cut out that is the exact shape for the antenna connector. Not my favourite job, I’m not a big fan of the splash panels between the bulkhead and the wings, very fiddly to get the top bolts in….
The Australian kit has this neat cable stowage clamp, for when the ATUs are removed.
The tub has the same rectangular hole for the cables running up to the radios in the back, they run under the bodywork and up behind the fuel tanks coming out behind the seats.
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Next was the C box in the front, this is a remote control for the sets in the back.
REMLR has some good detail photos of this, very useful!
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After that, time to remove and store the RT 524 and PRC-47 sets.
The FFT setup makes this fairly simple as they all mount to the same sliding table.
The HF antenna moves from the drivers side to the passenger side of the tub.
A last look at the later installation.
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And looking a bit empty, but a good chance to get rid of a bit of dust etc.
And a bit of cable management for the batteries.
This photo shows how the table mounts are fitted, as well as the generator control box and the 24 volt power system arrangement.
The table runners are mounted on timber blocks, (these are original), we will see how they go with the increased weight of the Larkspur kit.
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So here’s what came out,
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And roughly what is going in…
The C45/ B47 / C13 provides 2 VHF and one HF transceiver.
Amazing how the slightly later kit was so much more compact with the introduction of transistors replacing valves.
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Well that’s made a bit more space in the shed!
Here’s a rough install, I’m still waiting one one more batch of cables to arrive from the UK and then the project will be pretty much done. As much as they ever are……
At least it all fits, I reckon it adds about 400 kg to the vehicle.
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Hello Mike,
Is that the standard amount of radio gear in your vehicle that every FFR was fitted with? Or is your vehicle based off a specialist unit?
Kind regards
Lionel
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Mike looks great hope to get my fft looking this good
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Hello Mike,
Is that the standard amount of radio gear in your vehicle that every FFR was fitted with? Or is your vehicle based off a specialist unit?
Kind regards
Lionel
Hi Lionel,
I guess the short answer is possibly!
There were multiple configurations for the FFTs with the Larkspur radio setup.
I've fitted the C 42 VHF and the B47 VHF together. This provides VHF rebroadcast from one set to another out on a different frequency. The C13 HF provides HF comms in addition to the VHFs.
Certainly this configuration would have been used by the armoured units or RA sigs in general.
REMLR has a large library of EMEIs detailing all of the different combinations of Larkspur installations, there are quite a few!
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Mike looks great hope to get my fft looking this good
Thanks Workshop, appreciate your kind words.
It's taken a fair bit of time to get to this point!
Great to hear of another FFT out there, what stage are you up to yourself?
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Still doing the truck part up have most of a c45 and b48 set just have to get some more cables and set of table runners and battery back box frame the put it all together
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Awesome job Mike (as usual!) Love your work!
Frank