Not much has been happening with the Stalwart.
No further rust metal repair has been going on.
I did refit the side doors.,refill all the oils and take the big silly thing for run.
I worked the crane and brakes to keep all the seals working .
It took another large amount of hydraulic oil for the steering and winch/ crane oil tank.
The mystery has been where has the oil been going as it has not been leaking out.
During a road run I noticed the clutch wanted to slip.
I noticed after sticking my head out of the hatch smoke coming from the engine after arriving back at the workshop.
It turns out the 50 odd year old hose from the power steering pump was leaking like a little. boy peeing straight in the top of the clutch bell housing and filled it up with oil.
Also the exhaust manifold was getting some too.
New hose fitted.
The stalwart has been used as a big bowser...........it was filled up about 4 years ago when petrol was 80 cents a litre.
Now petrol is near 2 dollars a litre it has been emptied out though a special fittings I made in the top of the petrol tank for the purpose.......the Stalwart holds over 450 litres when full.
I have too many other things going on to concentrate on the Stalwart..
I do find it brilliant thing to drive off road and I pick quiet off times to drive it on public roads as it just attracts too much attention with too many cars following it around and people stopping when you do ,to ask what it is..
Also notice the second picture, the Stalwart is showing its boat rego number on the side panels.
It still is registered as a boat.
Sixty years ago the Stalwart was designed for the cold war turning hot in the eastern part of Europe.
Large tank battles were expected and the Stalwart was to resupply the tanks with fuel and ammo.
The Russians were expected to knock out bridges over the many large rivers.
At the time helicopter lifting capacity was not that good and bridging erection more labour intense.
In the 1990s the Stalwart was supposed to be made redundant by improved helicopter lifting capacity and the improved ability of quick erection bridges.
It is ironic that the Stalwart is just the type of vehicle needed in the current conflict ( Ukraine ) and was designed for the role.
No one party has air superiority, so helicopter resupply is not an option especially with small portable handheld missile systems.
All the bridges have been knocked out by missiles or drones.
The stalwart was proven to have some sort or mine resistance, enough to protect the crew from death.
The Stalwart is quick off road and will cross over a 5 foot wide trench ( about the width personal are using in Ukraine)
The only real problem I could see for a modern Stalwart in the current Ukraine conflict is the deep bottomless mud of Autum and Spring which traps wheeled vehicles and a lack of cabin top small arms amour.
This is a very cool vehicle Ron. It's been a little while since I've been on the forum but I'm always looking out for little updates, pictures or historical videos on this vehicle. Thanks for all the effort you put into keeping it alive.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks