Thread: The Ultimate FC

A few vids for you blokes to look at.
A stalwart running on four.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UITcMxL9Hf8]Alvis Stalwart - YouTube[/ame]

And a FV624....REME version, note extra carrying racks bolted to rear tailgate.
They are playing with the steering buckets and you will see it reverse too.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwpiu4S3mqk]stalwart vy. Wasser - YouTube[/ame]

The interesting part is watching it come out.......you can hear the water jets catching the air
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcKGzb2W9pE"]Alvis Stalwart - YouTube[/ame]

So when are you taking yours for a swim Ron?

Originally Posted by bacicat

So when are you taking yours for a swim Ron?

X2!

The Answer is easy...........when it floats.


Refer to early posts and pics multiple rust holes.

Simple solution bigger bilge pumps and some buckets

This why it is not swimming.
Holes........and plenty of them.








It just needs time, it is all straight forward flat 2/3mm plate stuff.
The hardest part is cutting out and sorting out previous patch over repair plates.
I have the skills and gear to sort it out very well.......but not the time.

In everything I touch, storage out doors over the years with rain water in the bottom of the hull which doesnt matter, but the condensation from that water gets between panels and rusts.
I have to treat it now.
This vehicle is a true UNF vehicle as every thread is a fine UNF and we all know what fine threads are like with corroded bolts to free up.
It is the reason why I am tending to at great cost replace every bolt I take out with a Stainless steel one, retap the tread and install the stainless bolts with never sieze.
They even use UNF threads in brass parts even though that type of thread is lest suitable for the material.........it was all about standardisation of parts.
The good news is I only need a few different sizes of bolts and nuts etc, because of that standardisation.
I have to needle gun the loose multi coats of paint and rust and then paint with red lead and then the colour.

The most important thing to float on a stalwart is the side gate and tailgate seals..............if they are no good, then the floating business just doesn't happen.
My side and tail gate seals are serviceable.
The problem is the rusty areas which need to be replaced are near the rubber seals.
If the seals have to come off or are damaged/disturbed, they are old and will not refit and seal again.
No new seals are advailable, especially in Aust.
I would have to pay a large amount of money to get 3 different dies made to get new rubber extrusions done from scratch.
The lengths of rubber seal extrusion is large.

It must be remembered the Stalwart is a bit different in the world of amphibious vehicles because of its drop sides and most commercial operators of these vehicles ditch the drop sides and weld on steel sides.
The drop side panels are a work of art, being all alloy and will float/waterproof in there own right.( They are large and strong, but still light enough with a really clever cam locking arrangement for one person to lift and close them tightly and quickly)
The drop side panels have 1/8 BSP threaded test ports to pressure test the panels and test the skins etc.( they are hollow double skin)
I know at least one drop panel needs a bit of TIG work to sort it out.
I have realised British army drivers must park by Brail.