The Ultimate FC

[101 Ron]

The Stalwart was intended to cross the rivers of Germany .( its short length helpful in climbing out of the rivers and onto the bank)
It could travel on the open sea, but it was with risks.
The stalwart couldn't tackle large beach breakers like a LARC or WW2 DUKW because of its very short length.( a hang over from using the Saladin armoured car chassis)
In the British army in the mid 1960s the WW2 DUKW was due for replacement.
A project was carried out to try a turn the Stalwart into a true sea going DUKW replacement.
A Stalwart was fitted with a bow and stern extensions which gave it more free board and the length it needs to handle large breakers on beaches.
The modified Stalwart after some design changes to the extensions worked better than expected and had no trouble with waves 6 to 7 feet high and shipped little water, but sealing of the cabin was not the best.
The extensions were long and stopped the Stalwart from performing well off road on land.
They needed to be removed quickly if the vehicle landed on to a foreign shore from the sea.
The extensions were rigged with explosive bolts which could jettison the extensions and the stalwart backed away from them ect.
The whole process taking a few minutes.
Common sense prevailed again and the project was dropped due to.
1/ Concern but the strength of the extension attachment points in larger waves than the 6 to 7 foot tested .
2/ The need to carry the extensions in the back of the Stalwart if they were to be reused which took up all the cargo space.
I will try and scan a poor quality copy of a photo from the book Strong, stout and sturdy.
The Stalwart was trialed with many things including a Helicopter landing platform and transport/ tender.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/28380933967_7f94d48d96.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KeVGTH)stolly add (https://flic.kr/p/KeVGTH) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
The above picture from the REME depot web site.

[101 Ron]

From Stout, Strong and Sturdy by John L Rue
Note the lower picture showing a swing fire missile system temporarily fitted for a truck show.


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/41459350380_092843f0ce.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26aC1rS)Scan_20180708 (https://flic.kr/p/26aC1rS) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

[350RRC]

Up to page 101 for this great thread; some sort of good omen?

Well done Ron.

DL

[Lewy110]

View from about 9.45mins
YouTube (https://youtu.be/ao76_PGgnvg)

[101 Ron]

The above Video...….Landrovers, New Zealand country side and a Stalwart = Heaven
The 9 tonnes of the stalwart and short wheel base didn't do it any favours trying to climb that hill.
The gearbox /gearing is compromised by the lack of a low range gear set.
If first gear is used it will crawl up without any sort of momentum.
If Second gear is used it will travel up at a reasonable speed with a little momentum, but run out of power.
Second to first gear change up a hill like the one on the video is not possible due to the time it takes to go across the gearbox due to the shift pattern and long throw remote gear shift linkage.

Below is the new plate flush welded in
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/930/43560637061_06f105a8af.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29niDLz)DSCN1551 (https://flic.kr/p/29niDLz) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
Below is more cancer found between some plates( every similar to what I found on the muffler side)
.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/913/43560636971_91d141e3a5.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29niDK2)DSCN1550 (https://flic.kr/p/29niDK2) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1805/43560637131_7a898ff33c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29niDMM)DSCN1552 (https://flic.kr/p/29niDMM) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

Below is rust knocked out and ready for a new flush plate to be welded in.https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1790/43560637281_7d5814f99b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29niDQn)DSCN1554 (https://flic.kr/p/29niDQn) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

[101 Ron]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/43560637321_5370f1632c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29niDR4)DSCN1555 (https://flic.kr/p/29niDR4) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/931/41752489880_b8d9a90196.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26BwqBb)DSCN1556 (https://flic.kr/p/26BwqBb) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/41752489950_12663f87ed.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26BwqCo)DSCN1557 (https://flic.kr/p/26BwqCo) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

Below I am currently making more stainless steel strip to hold the side gate rubbers.
The strips on the body side of the vehicle are much larger and wider that the the strips used on the doors and therefore much harder to bend...……..I am having much trouble getting this bent correctly with out the stainless distorting out of shape.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/41752489980_d989822283.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26BwqCU)DSCN1558 (https://flic.kr/p/26BwqCU) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

As Usual I have not been able to put the time into this project which it needs.

[101 Ron]

Been plodding away with the Stalwart still painting and cutting out rust.
Been fitting the cooling system header tank back in and making new circulating pipes.....the old ones were steel bundy tubing corroded thin and blocked up.
New ones made in copper pipe.
I have found a way to make the stalwart cruise at a 100kph on road with little wear with this trailer.


I don't know if I am going the right way in getting this trailer as I have nothing to pull it other than the Stalwart.
It was low cost with good rubber and should be able to carry the stalwart on historic plates.
The trailer is a bit beat up in places, but nothing I cannot fix.
It will have to be converted to a Lunette and glad hand air fittings.
I figure I will have to get friendly with some one who owns a ex army Mack.
A few mods will have to be carried out to the trailer to make it suitable for the Stalwart.
It has a tilt tray with a very low loading angle.
If the trailer does not work out, if fixed up I should be able to turn a profit.
I figure the trailer opens up a larger range of vehicles in the future to move the stalwart and its low deck height doesn't cause any height restrictions when carrying the stalwart.
I did find a tilt deck trailer from a Australian M816 wreaker, but it was out of my price range and it is a much larger piece of equipment again.
This little white tilt trailer should do the job.
On the old rego papers its gross is 20 tonnes...…..the running gear on it is very heavy duty.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1879/44563688341_c0fc8bd8a8.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aTWxYa)New stalwart header tank pipes (https://flic.kr/p/2aTWxYa) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1889/44563688351_655a28665c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aTWxYk)trailer to transport Stalwart (https://flic.kr/p/2aTWxYk) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/44563688391_900e6babde.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2aTWxZ2)trailer to transport stalwart (https://flic.kr/p/2aTWxZ2) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1857/29625567897_6f05380085.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMcp)trailer to transport Stalwart. (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMcp) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

[101 Ron]

I for got to mention for the Stalwart ,all the hull rubber side and rear door seal retaining strips have been correctly bent in stainless steel and finished after much tribulation in getting it all shaped correctly.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/29625567937_4f605bd6e7.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMd6)ramps (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMd6) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/29625567967_b18bfb6850.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMdB)Tilt tray lock down screw (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMdB) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/29625568037_3b834374fd.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMeP)Trailer to transport Stalwart. (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMeP) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/29625568067_6469584ced.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMfk)DSCN1020 (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMfk) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/29625568087_c670d7d490.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMfF)Walking beam with leaf spring inside. (https://flic.kr/p/M8UMfF) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

On the above see the pivot for the boggie and the other one up and to the right a bit for the tray.
I first though it was walking beam only with no suspension, but the spring leafs are in side the rocker.
The tilt is by gravity and is locked down with a screw wheel at the front of the tray...…..the stalwart doesn't need the tilt tray at all, but the feature may come in handy if I decide to want to place it on full time rego and move forklifts with it or winch on other dead vehicles .

How much are those army Macks selling for ?????????????

A coat of army green paint will have to be applied as well.

[schil123]

@Ron 101

Hi Ron,

I recently purchased an Alvis Stalwart II with crane. I have owned many Pinzgauers and Unimogs. However this thing is a beast. I am feeling a lot over whelmed, to say the least. The truck has not been run for some time. Not sure were to start. It is rust free, so that is the good news! Can you give me any advice of things to do/check before even turning the engine over. should pour lubricant down the cylinders and let it set for a week or so, for starters? Any info that you can share of things you might have wished you had done prior to jumping in?

Thank you

Chad

[101 Ron]

The B81 is a tough old motor.
Do basic checks
Will the motor turn over by hand.
Will it turn over on the starter motor.
Does it have compression( if not does it have stuck valves)
Will fresh petrol pump though from the fuel tank if using the hand primer on the fuel pump.
Remove a spark plug and crank over the motor...…...does it have spark.



If you have compression , fuel and spark these motors will run one way or another they not in a high state of tune.

things to note
Check the engine oil on the dip stick at the dry sump tank towards the rear of the crane...…...if the vehicle has been sitting for a long time the oil in it may have drained into the engine crankcase and over filled that causing great clouds of smoke on start up...……...don't top up the dry sump tank all the way until the motor has run for a little while as if you do the crankcase will pump its self dry as it suppose to do and the engine oil tank will over fill and flood the hull with engine oil.

If not run for a long time, the petrol in the vehicle will be stale...…..may be best to run the motor from a jerrycan , best place to tap into the fuel lines is at the fuel filter on the left side of the crane or at the fuel pump.

The ignition points will need a clean with a file if the motor has been sitting for a long time...….clean points and ensure they have a gap...…….do not change ignition point settings as the timing of the motor will changed in a way that takes a lot of work to sort out.
With points ignition spark is weak and orange, sparkplugs must be new or in perfect condition......fuelled or carbon on the plugs equals no spark when trying to run.

A little bit of aero start/ ether down the throat of the carby may help to waken the motor up while cranking .

If you need to by pass the wiring from the cabin for the ignition and starter look for a round alloy junction box in the motor.
It is located above the fuel pump on the LHS of the vehicle near the manifold....its round and has a cover with many nuts on the cover which you need a 7/16 spanner .
Inside you will find a wiring junction for the starter solenoid and ignition coil power supply wiring.
The junction box has Two resistors in side of it...…...normal running the ignition coil gets 12 volts.
When cranking the ignition coil gets 24 volts as a spark boost.

To access the ignition points...……...low down either side of the distributor you will find Two nuts that will need a 7/16 spanner, back these off and move the clamps away and split the distributor and you will find the points.
The distributor looks different, but is a normal sort of design when the bottom of it is opened up.

The distributor cap and rotor button may be worth a look for cracks and dirt.

If you do get the motor running, it may sound like a big end is on the way out...……….its a very normal sound, its the air compressor.....the 6 foot long drive shaft rings with the compressor piston going over centre a low revs.
It will disappear at high revs or when the air has built up.

It took me about 2 weeks of crawling over the vehicle to get a idea how most of it works and now 6 years later I am still learning but different features of the vehicle.

I takes a little while but you will get your head around it all ………….there is a lot of it and It is a bit different but with time is mastered and you will be master of the machine.

Two brass drain plugs under the hull is to drain water.
Two steel round access plates under the hull....one is to drain the dry sump tank and the other is to drain the petrol tank.
Ron

[schil123]

@Ron 101

Hi Ron,

Thank you for the above info you provided. I had a little time this past weekend. I pulled all the plugs, lubricated the cylinders, let it set for a day. Installed new batteries and the mighty beast powered up. The engine turned over easily by starter motor or at least it seemed to. I did not have an extra hand so I was unable to tell if it had ignition spark or not. Correct me if I am wrong, but you stated that civilian wires and plugs are the way to go, for a hotter, better spark. Would you suggest I do this right away or just get it running first? Also, should I invest in the electronic ignition before messing around to much?

Thank you

Chad

[101 Ron]

Just get thing running as is ,and learn about the vehicle.
Chase the electronic ignition at a later date.
Sparkplug condition is very important with the standard supressed ignition system.
Electronic ignition doesn't have 50 year old condenser's that fail and a points system that must be set up with a special tool and procedure.
Electronic throws a better spark, especially if you remove the suppressed HT leads and go for much, much Cheaper civie sparkplugs available with self cleaning protruded nose and different heat ranges.
Saying that the points set up worked for the army for 30 years.
The B81 Rolls will start straight up from cold easily without choke unless it is sub zero temps ,if all is well.
Don't pump the accelerator, too much or run the engine too rich with the points set up as the suppressed plugs will foul up and not self clean.
The B81 likes to run hard under load and not idle around too much.
The starter motor will turn the motor over very easily as it is very well built and you would have noticed the slight delay in the engagement of the starter after pressing the starter button...…….reason is superior Rolls Royce /army design as the starting is a Three step operation, first a slow turn and throw out of the starter pinion ( to gently engage it without force)and then full turning force and once the engine is running quick over run retraction of the starter pinion...……...all designed to give very long starter ring gear and pinion life.

[Lewy110]

I was just going through photos on my computer. Took this in June 2014.

[101 Ron]

As I always said in this part of the country the Stalwart gets photograghed or a whole lot of curious cars following it......
It is always reported back to me someone said they had seen the stalwart running around on the road somewhere.. ...not thats been happening much lately.
Not much going on with the Stalwart due to a busted foot which has stopped any activity for a while, both pleasure and work.

[67hardtop]

Bugger. You could limp around and shine up a few bits couldnt you??? [emoji41][emoji41]

[101 Ron]

just a quick up date.

Nothing has been progressing with the Stalwart and I have lost interest in it.
I am having personal health issues which I am not going to cover here, which is limiting what I can do.
All my effort is going to just my normal job which pays the bills.
I have done a little bit on the trailer for the stalwart.
I am not going anywhere this X mas break ,so I should be able to progress and play with the Stalwart with my time off work during X mas.
The Stalwart badly needs a good run to keep the batteries up and everything in good order.
There is a army truck run/camp out near by in about six months time...…….may be I could work towards getting the stalwart ready for that.
Will report again in the new year
Ron

[67hardtop]

Get well soon Ron. Hope all will be ok soon

[101 Ron]

Well its the new year.
I have got the back LHS top corner of the stalwart temporarily bolted back in place and the cooling system header tank and pipes all back in place and working.
I gave the Stalwart a short run, but though lack of use some of the jets appear to be blocked up in the carburettor again so it was parked up for later.
The Stalwart is not under cover and the weather has been too hot to work on it.
The plant trailer for the Stalwart I have been able to fit the front part of it in the work shop at work out of the sun and so that is the thing which has been worked on.
A new draw bar has been fabricated and fitted.
The landing leg has had new bushes and shafts made for it in my lathe at home and fitted.
A period alloy tool box fitted and the whole thing is being set up so different voltage, pintle or Bartlett ball and hitch heights can be accommodated.
My foot and other problems are not going away....but should improve slowly.
A Ex Australian army Mack would be a good tow vehicle for the Stalwart and trailer, and in time if I sell something and save my pennies, it could happen.
( in the mean time I can find mates with suitable tow vehicles)
Towing the stalwart around saves the need to regear the thing for road use ,wear and tear on its drive train and delays the need for inter wheel drive disconnects.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/30943592917_b2507679ec.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/P9o17H)rockwell tilt trailer draw bar for stalwart (https://flic.kr/p/P9o17H) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

The below are air fitting adaptors....again for towing behind completely different vehicles without too much trouble.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4815/30943592967_40ea33991e.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/P9o18z)Glad hand adaptor air brake fittings (https://flic.kr/p/P9o18z) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7806/46570810912_6b7a51cbb6.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dXizzJ)trailer draw bar welding (https://flic.kr/p/2dXizzJ) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/46570810882_ae359ab81d.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dXizzd)Rockwell trailer tilted...12 degree angle (https://flic.kr/p/2dXizzd) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7846/46570810802_a98d9469e8.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dXizxQ)New draw bar and box box fitted. (https://flic.kr/p/2dXizxQ) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

[101 Ron]

I have done some painting to the stalwart and fixing a few little things.
I am going to go all out to get the Stalwart to a club run in Kangaroo Valley in about 6 months time, if it drives there or gets part of the way on a tilt tray time will tell.
When the weather cools a bit in a few months.
I am going to sort the stalwart for this run.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4883/30943592787_02ed26ca1c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/P9o15t)Stalwart FV623 aquadic steering relay arm LHS (https://flic.kr/p/P9o15t) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/30943592827_d62caea0a1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/P9o16a)stalwart aquadic steering arm with new bush and grease nipple (https://flic.kr/p/P9o16a) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

As mentioned a lot of pages back many years ago a stalwart was to circumnavigate the Island of Wight in Britain.
You tube of this has been posted recently.
the Stalwart involved now lives in a poor state in Canada .
It failed to completely do the trip due to a fuel problem.
The Stalwart is fitted with a Rolls Royce K60 two stroke opposed piston multi fuel diesel and why it blows so much smoke and makes noise.
The same stalwart has manually operated inter wheel drive disconnects.
What is also so interesting in some of the YouTube links a Landrover centur half track was a support vehicle.
The centur tried pulling the Stalwart up a beach when it had its fuel problem, and started to loose a track when a rock fell between the track wheels.

You may need to skip though it as some of it is long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqKZRiRFL6g&t=350s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebo6xT9iuk8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdT3DdEvr6w

Ron

[101RRS]

There is discussion on REMLR concerning the crashed Stalwart

glenrowan crash (http://remlr.com/forum/index.php'topic=6023.0;topicseen)

You do not need to be a member to read the text but the pics will not be visible - reproduced are the pics taken from the link.

149507149508

[cjc_td5]

Was it Ron 101 in the crash? [emoji22]

[101RRS]

No is not Ron's - I dont think his is permanently on the road as yet but does drive around a but.

[Homestar]

Not Rons, but Grahams. His was the only swimming Stolly in the Country. Rons is now the only registered driving example left, hopefully to be swimming one day.

Here is Graham swimming his at Corowa 2 years ago. Appologies for the quality of video.


https://youtu.be/BNkF-BJOTCU

[101RRS]

Was Graham's the Stalwart that had been converted to 2wd and had a diff ratio change so that it could cruise on the highway at Landrover speeds. The owner used it to go touring and needed better speed and 6wd onroad was not needed - not sure it could swim though - it was at Corowa 2011 .

Garry

[Homestar]

Grahams had disconnects on the drive shafts for road work, can’t recall other details - Ron would know all about it.

[101RRS]

Grahams had disconnects on the drive shafts for road work, can’t recall other details - Ron would know all about it.

Ok, probably the one and the same - no matter this is such a shame and I hope Graham recovers well.

[350RRC]

Grahams had disconnects on the drive shafts for road work, can’t recall other details - Ron would know all about it.

Thanks for posting the vid............. looks like something straight out of the 'Thunderbirds'.

DL

[Homestar]

Yeah, they are awesome machines!

Here’s another quick vid


https://youtu.be/DSSFwarmYeg

[Don 130]

On a serious note, Jan received an updated report on Monday from the wife of our KVE member KVE Graham Arkle from Geelong who underwent life-saving surgery at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after being hit from behind by a B-double on the Hume Freeway near Glenrowan whilst driving to Corowa last Thursday night.

Mr Arkle was driving a 1964 Alvis Stalwart amphibious carrier. The accident happened at about 11.15pm. “He has undergone further surgery and it will be a very long recovery. He is in a stable condition,” Jan said. “We certainly wish Graham all the very best in his recovery.”

copied from here: KVE’s 40th another success (https://www.corowafreepress.com.au/@news/2019/03/20/497808/kves-40th-another-success)

And a picture from Border Mail, where the text was behind a paywall.
Don.

[101 Ron]

I hope Graham gets back to normal.
The accident appears to have been a another heavy vehicle running into the rear of Grahams Stalwart.
I hope there is no feed back to the historic rego on my Stalwart.
I have strict conditions I must keep to for use of my Stalwart on public roads.
Ron

[101 Ron]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/33541593198_e196a2d3e7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/T6Xr61)53347482_825184601148937_913997654090422681 6_o_thumb_jpg_bcb6133f81e149ac7130404fc5c91e75 (https://flic.kr/p/T6Xr61) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7866/46692052584_5b4227f608_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2e91Yvo)IMG_6166[1] (https://flic.kr/p/2e91Yvo) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7876/46692052564_abd8a71c20_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2e91Yv3)IMG_6165[1] (https://flic.kr/p/2e91Yv3) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/47415214731_582ecd7e1e_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2feVnqg)Stalwart roll over (https://flic.kr/p/2feVnqg) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7879/40409209733_8f02c8ba42_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24yPLdD)jpeg-imag (https://flic.kr/p/24yPLdD) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

[67hardtop]

Hi 101 Ron, wondering if this is repairable? Is the guy ok?

Cheers Rod

[Homestar]

Graham is still in Hospital and will be for months by the sound of it - he’s speaking now which is a good start, but he has a long recovery and how far he manages to get back to normal is still unknown. Waiting on an update now on his last few days, but he has multiple back fractures and other serious injuries.

[101 Ron]

Hi 101 Ron, wondering if this is repairable? Is the guy ok?

Cheers Rod

The Stalwart will be a write off.
The alloy side gates are gone and all the top side sheet metal work.
The Stalwarts arse is 4 to something like 8 mm thick in places.
The thing is the hull being the chassis with bevel boxes and shafts, gear box and engine all precission hard bolted to the hull.......it would only take a few millimeters of miss alignment somewhere to cause real trouble to bearings and general well being of the machine.
In one photo it appears the rear of the hull is bent................a B double going 100 kph into something in a 40 kph road works zone will do that.......mind you this is all here say and facts have to be all sorted out.
There are other factors too which I cannot discuss. ...........again all to be sorted out by the appropriate people.
Yes I hope Graham does Ok.
I for one wouldnt like to be rolling around in the cabin of a Stalwart four times quickly with all the levers and protrusions in every direction and spat out of the roof hatch and not found for well over a hour in the dark.
It was proven a MK 1 Stalwart could survive a IED in Aden back in 1964 and survive and drive home with a wheel station blown off and then repaired.
This was different.
Mk 1 Stalwart .....RIP

I am thinking my trailer approach to moving the Stalwart around is a good option.

[67hardtop]

The Stalwart will be a write off.
The alloy side gates are gone and all the top side sheet metal work.
The Stalwarts arse is 4 to something like 8 mm thick in places.
The thing is the hull being the chassis with bevel boxes and shafts, gear box and engine all precission hard bolted to the hull.......it would only take a few millimeters of miss alignment somewhere to cause real trouble to bearings and general well being of the machine.
In one photo it appears the rear of the hull is bent................a B double going 100 kph into something in a 40 kph road works zone will do that.......mind you this is all here say and facts have to be all sorted out.
There are other factors too which I cannot discuss. ...........again all to be sorted out by the appropriate people.
Yes I hope Graham does Ok.
I for one wouldnt like to be rolling around in the cabin of a Stalwart four times quickly with all the levers and protrusions in every direction and spat out of the roof hatch and not found for well over a hour in the dark.
It was proven a MK 1 Stalwart could survive a IED in Aden back in 1964 and survive and drive home with a wheel station blown off and then repaired.
This was different.
Mk 1 Stalwart .....RIP

I am thinking my trailer approach to moving the Stalwart around is a good option.Sounds a bit safer for sure. Wow. Such an impact. Lucky to be alive at all by the sounds. There wouldnt be seatbelts either.

[Blknight.aus]

The Stalwart will be a write off.

Mk 1 Stalwart .....RIP



Like Fruitloops..

I'm going to go get my laser mic and a buffer...

She'll be right.

[101 Ron]

Just another quick up date.
the stalwart has not been progressing.
I have repainted some of the front end, and need to do the roof hatches and the wave deflector on the cabin roof.
Its been something like 7 years now and the last 2 years the vehicle has been stored out in the weather and the UV rays are now catching up with the paint work.
The carby jets have been cleaned out again due rust in the steel fuel line between the fuel filter and the engine...…….running much better now.
I am going to have to find about 100 litres of fresh fuel to sort out the fuel going stale in the tank.
I have a local army truck rally coming up and it is within driving range for the stalwart and I badly want to take it.
I don't think its going to happen......may be next year.
My efforts have been centred on the trailer I purchased for the stalwart.
With my small budget I have been buying lights, tie down chains, etc ready for when the trailer becomes ready to use.
still a lot of work to do to finish the trailer as I must have to turn it up side down to finish welding a lot of it, wiring, replacing air lines etc...…...but I am progressing.
A part of the tilt deck is bent after being much over loaded in its previous life and I am going to see if I can straighten it up by a heat distortion welding method.
The idea of the trailer is reducing the need to have the Stalwart spot on mechanically and not have the worry of having a 10 tonne lump sitting on the side of road broken down and unable to purchase specialised parts for it in this country.
I am on the look out for a tow tug for this trailer now.
When that happens I can really start enjoying and using the stalwart.
the trailer has had its fixed deck mostly finished and a removable electric winch set up so it will work on both fixed and tilting decks.
Ron
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46987218454_96c9b29b82.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2eA6M37)DSCN2316 (https://flic.kr/p/2eA6M37) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46987218504_5270d04e5e.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2eA6M3Y)DSCN2328 (https://flic.kr/p/2eA6M3Y) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46987218574_26b93bfc28.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2eA6M5b)DSCN2131 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/2eA6M5b) by john smith (https://www.flickr.com/photos/141335301@N02/), on Flickr

[67hardtop]

Hi Ron, have you thought about using "stabil" fuel stabiliser to stop the fuel going off? Its really good and ok for petrol and diesel.

I was wondering if it is possible to replace the fuel line with copper line maybe or alloy?

Have you thought about an ex military mack truck as a tug??

Cheers Rod

[grey_ghost]

Hi Ron,

Rod beat me to it - Army Mack trucks and Moga come up for sale almost monthly at Minto...

[101 Ron]

Hi Ron,

Rod beat me to it - Army Mack trucks and Moga come up for sale almost monthly at Minto...

Its on the radar.........still a bit short of money.(a Mack is required)
The trailer is well set up for a Mack and NATO plug adaptor is already made ect.
I know the army Macks well after doing many miles in them in the army reserve.
I hope the trailer and Stalwart comes in at 15 tonnes or less.
My reading of the laws for a dual wheel, dual axle pig trailer is a maximum weight is 15 tonnes with a kitted Stalwart being 10 tonnes its going to be a close run thing. ( Trailer is manufacturer rated to 20 tonnes)
One other item I am looking at is the over width of the Stalwart which restricts moving the thing around.
Its only 12 mm over width..........ie 6 mm per side.
The side door hinge brackets are the widest part of the vehicle with the suspension unloaded............It is possible I can find the 6mm to trim off.
With the suspension loaded it could be the wheel hubs being the widest part, but not when is unloaded.
A near by friend has purchased a Mack and its the reason why effort is going to the trailer.
The Stalwart is well able to use its own hydraulic winch to load its self, but the cheapo electric with wireless remote will help me do it single handed and increase the versatility of the trailer for loading other vehicles like my 101 or Studebaker.
To drive on with the Stalwart is not a good option as the pics show of the rolled Stalwart at the top of the page shows little room for mistakes width wise on the wheel and trailer spacing.
The drivers position in the middle of a very forward control cabin doesnt give the driver any idea of how close the steer wheels are to the edge of the trailer, you cannot just stick your head out the window and look.
The extra rear vision mirrors pointing downwards were fitted in Germany so the operators could see how how far away the steer wheels were from the gutter.
I need to load the Stalwart single handed some how.

The stalwart just needs more use, I add a bit of 2 stroke oil to the petrol.
Winter is nearly apon us and the days are now getting very short leaving little time after work to start anything on the Stalwart.
It takes 1/2 hour just to untarp the rear end of it.

[Lewy110]

I was checking out the Mack's and Mogs at Bandiana today. One of each would go well in your collection[emoji16]

Or this from the Army Museum.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190713/83d9ad3715c44d2df02bea73cb61202a.jpg

[Homestar]

You should have come to Corowa this year, there was a Lark and Duck both in the water doing their thing. Lark has been there the last 3 years, it’s a beast.

[grey_ghost]

I was checking out the Mack's and Mogs at Bandiana today. One of each would go well in your collection[emoji16]

Or this from the Army Museum.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190713/83d9ad3715c44d2df02bea73cb61202a.jpg

Checking out Perenties hey..? [emoji848][emoji6][emoji1303]

[Lewy110]

Checking out Perenties hey..? [emoji848][emoji6][emoji1303]Went to the Museum and auction was only across the road.

[101 Ron]

Just a quick up date without pictures.
Repainted the roof hatches after sitting out in the weather for 7 years now and done a much better job of it.
Still cutting rust out of the stalwarts arse.
photo bucket and now Flickr are problematic for me.
Now do you post pictures straight from my computer to this thread ?
Ron

[101 Ron]

15262315262415262515262615262715262815262915263015 2631

I am learning how post the pics straight from computer to thread ????
some up side down etc...…..
The problem with the inside of the roof hatches was I painted them with tar based product which got soft with the heat of the sun and caused the paint on top of it to crack.
The exposure to weather killed the paint on the out side, nothing which the big cabinet sand blaster couldn't fix.
Ron

[Homestar]

I was checking out the Mack's and Mogs at Bandiana today. One of each would go well in your collection[emoji16]

Or this from the Army Museum.


Found a video I took of the Lark coming into the lagoon.


https://youtu.be/JWRvc5nzNEw

[101 Ron]

Just another up date.

Time, weather and money have been working against me as normal.
effort put in to the stalwart has been minimal .
The rear end of the Stalwart is now water tight except for the door seals as that is the last job to be done.
saving up to buy some more camo paint.....I did say money was tight.
Looking at the rear cross member which corrodes because it fills with water I added some small drain back to the hull holes to stop water pooling inside the cross member tube.
the tube has been treated with phosphoric acid, then red lead primer and then chassis under body sealer to try and stop future rust between plates inside the tube which is hard to access.
I have been looking at the next challenge , the RHS upper body work.
this will take a while to knock over.
this side of the vehicle has been patched- plated over many times before and some of those patches are still water proof, but have been done poorly with rust between the patch plate and the original body work.
I have not given up with this project, and it has not beaten me yet, but I have slowed up on it.
the first pic is just the now completed rear cross member minus the final paint and rubber seal.
the second pic shows inside the rear compartment showing the other side of the cross member tube and one of the extra holes drilled into it to let any water out.

[101 Ron]

This picture shows the RHS body work just forward of the centre wheel station......note the rivets, many plates, some stick welding ect.
this believe it or not this is water proof, but must be done correctly as it is a water and rust trap.
It is one of the things which show this Stalwart is no virgin in the swimming department...…….some one went to the trouble to try and seal it .
The fact this Stalwart has its swimming gear on it and working backs this up.( after the army removed it in 1985)
I now realise the short drive shafts for the Dowty water jet drives are shortened Landrover tailshafts……..done after British army service.

[101 Ron]

These following photos show other things wrong on the RHS upper body work which is next to be done.
look carefully you can see existing patches which have been welded over rust holes......I need to remove them and flush weld in patches as over lap , or weld over the top patches are rust traps.

[101 Ron]

More pics of RHS

[grey_ghost]

As always Ron you are doing an amazing job. [emoji1303]

[101 Ron]

The good news is the LHS is no where near as bad, it has rust holes, but without patches over them which will be much easier.
below just some stalwart general interest pics.
The first is in Aden in about 1964.
The second is what I hope to achieve trailer and truck wise to move the stalwart around without wearing out its drive line.

[101 Ron]

Some more more in service pics
Ron

[101 Ron]

Yep,...…. gone from a few holes and metal patches to this...…... today with the plasma cutter.
Its going to keep me busy for a while...…..but keeps me out of the pub and other places I shouldn't go too.
Ron

[101 Ron]

Days worth of work just doing one small area near the RHS water jet.
154387
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I work on this big lump as a hobby, so I tend to knock back a cleansing beer or two.
Some times at the end of the day if I lost count of how many beers I had...…..rumour has it I could sit behind the steering wheel and make some pretend vvroom vvroom noises with a big splash noise...(.rumours only)
This time it was different , I thought I heard a female voice ?????
Not a super sexy seductive female voice, but a pommie boiler female voice...…..still seductive just the same.
It said "RON"...…"Swim with me !" and then again "Ron swim with me"
After about 7 or 8 years working on this thing I could be loosing it, or just may be I need to work harder for my march to the sea and quit drinking that dish water Queensland XXXX stuff and go to Tasmanian Boags.

[101 Ron]

Just a quick up date.
I am still working on the big lump on the occasional Sunday when weather and time permits.
Still cutting out rust and flush welding in new metal.
I am finding more and more old patches over rust holes...…..welded over, not cut out and flush welded.
Welding a patch over causes more long term rust problems and looks unsightly.
( water gets between the patch and the original plate and causes more rust between the plates)
So every time I find a patch which has been done previously I have to cut it out.
flush welding in new metal sheet has its own problems in that I need to weld both sides of the new patch where possible to ensure full penetration and its completely water tight.
This also means grinding back the welds flush on both sides if possible and a lot of it is done with a tungsten carbide burrs hanging up side down etc, as is a lot of the welding is up side down...……...all stuff I hate doing.
The carbide burrs are fantastic for the 2mm plate and hard to get areas with good control and finish, but throws thousands of razor sharp metal cuttings which find their way into your skin as well as being a slow process.
I am slowly progressing and getting to the RHS centre wheel area working forwards from the rear of the vehicle.
The Humber 1 ton truck is now out of the yard...the Humber is a distant relative of the Stalwart and uses a 6 cylinder version of the motor in the Stalwart.
I have had a WW2 Jeep in at work as a paying job for a month or so …….the owner was having trouble finding someone who wants to work on a old Jeep.
The Humber in the Yard at work has been replaced by a more permanent piece of gear.....being another Wiles steam cooker, this time a Junior model.
In fact its a old friend, as the family owned it as a going concern for many years and we sold it on about 17 years ago.
It has now come back home...………...but now is in pieces.
It is complete, but is a much easier thing to get back into steam than the big Wiles Senior cooker I have.
I also found some original wheels to fit it which it never had.
When ….or if I get started on the wiles junior I will post the progress in the trailer thread section....wiles cooker.
Ron
155488155489155490

[101 Ron]

These pics show some small patches taken off and then whats beneath...….these are small and easy to reach ones.
1/ pic wiles cooker wheel with a tyre supplied by lewy110 beside a spare stalwart wheel.
2/ patches as found
3/underneath the patches
4/ last pic looking up at a rust hole, which has been cleaned out and found to have a large patch above it and Bog between the patch and the original plate.
155491155492155493155494

[101 Ron]

These days we now have a Alvis Stalwart Face book site.
I don't do Face book as I don't like the security.
The site does have some fantastic pictures of the Stalwart in service and general bits and pieces in private ownership.
check it out.
Ron
Alvis Stalwart Fan Club public group | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/175107182588210/)

[101 Ron]

[I had a long phone call to Graham the bloke who was in the Stalwart which got
Clobbered in the bum.
He still has along road ahead of him and is not walking.
He will by the sounds of it will need a hip replacement and knee replacements in the longer term, has metal plates in his spine and many, many other things going on.
He has hopes of getting another Stalwart into the country if that is possible these days , or importing enough parts to sort out his old machine.
It is still not known if he wil ever be able to climb on to the roof and into a Stalwart cabin ever again.....or to walk with efficency .
I hope one day he will be able too......he seems to be focused enough.
Interesting he told me the last lot of mods he had done to his Stalwart with regards to keeping water out of the drive line .............he had done away with using compressed air to pressurize the transmission when swimming, but gone to a system of oil tanks high in the hull and over filling the transfercase ect and then restoring the oil levels to normal or road use.
More stuff for me to think about.
All this is still to go before the courts and therefore is here say or aledged until proven etc.
It appears it is possible the truck driver who ran into the back of the Stalwart was not licenced.
How that could be in this modern age of truck driver employment and truck checking stations and log books is interesting and there must be something very wrong with the system.
All I know that Grahams life appears to be stuffed up big time,not only with his health, but his business and family.
Another interesting trouble he has is working out the value of a Stalwart here in Australia with the insurance company and then replacement / repair costs.
All very difficult stuff to work though.
I hope he some how finds a way to get his life back on track.
Ron

[101 Ron]

See the attached you tube

YouTube (https://youtu.be/7FwTtuSnNkQ)


Keep in mind this is in Germany in the middle of the cold war.
The Warsaw pact have much better amphibious vehicles and more of it.
To move in Germany with all the bridges destroyed means build new bridges quickly
or amphibious vehicles.
The British were looking for ways to improve their mobility if war broke out.......(British army of the Rhine)
Most Stalwarts have a winch for self recovery up steep slippery river banks and as a part of its CES is equipped with a free board extension for the rear of the vehicle for use loaded on steep river banks.( None of that was shown in the film)
It should be noted the Stalwarts twin recovery cables already connected to the recovery eyes at the front of the hull and the winch cable and eye are arranged and normally stowed in away so they can be very quickly released and thrown to the front of the vehicle without leaving the roof hatch.
The Stalwarts winch is not designed for recovery of other vehicles as shown in the film.
If the Stalwarts winch is used for recovery of another vehicle, the parking brake must not be used........the vehicle needs to be anchored or held at all times with the foot brake.
Around this time the British army was trying the Stalwart with a metal track way carried on reel just above the cabin and it was released and the Stalwart travel along its self laying metal road way .
Rocket assisted exit from rivers was also experimented with on the Stalwarts.
The facts are the Stalwart is much better that a DUKW or in most cases a LARC for river crossings and getting up the bank and testing by the German army backed this up...............the Germany army did have a small amount of Stalwarts, but ended up with LARCs because of British government refusing the sale of the Stalwarts......there were still hard feelings over WW2.
The Landrover swimming is interesting too.
No progress on the Stalwart currently due to extreme temperatures , fires or as I type minor flooding.
The fun we have trying to work on a vehicle in your spare time in the elements.

[admiralranga]

Just finished reading through it, got to say it's only every so often the full scale of how big a vehicle this is (and the scale of your task) becomes obvious. You've been doing a magnificent job restoring her, thanks for posting here to let us follow along. Hope the project is going well.

[Mark_E]

Scrubbed that as resolved it

[Mark_E]

Hi Ron,

Just joined for a chat with you. I'm one of the admin of the Facebook HMLC group, Alvis HMLC 6 x 6 Stalwart public group | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alvis.HMLC.6.x.6.Stalwart/) We've got members from a number of countries.
I'm Ex Royal Engineers and was a Stolly op for 2 years back in the 80's. Most of my Stolly work was pack fuel and Mk 7 anti tank mines.

I've been enjoying your restoration project, which has been recorded with detail to a high standard. I'm wondering if you've considered copy and pasting your text and photos into a word doc and turning in to a PDF - to share your experience with other owners. No need for the generic photos from the web, but it would be an interesting read for many on the group.

I've attached some images for you
Mark

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[101 Ron]

Hi Ron,

Just joined for a chat with you. I'm one of the admin of the Facebook HMLC group, Alvis HMLC 6 x 6 Stalwart public group | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alvis.HMLC.6.x.6.Stalwart/) We've got members from a number of countries.
I'm Ex Royal Engineers and was a Stolly op for 2 years back in the 80's. Most of my Stolly work was pack fuel and Mk 7 anti tank mines.

I've been enjoying your restoration project, which has been recorded with detail to a high standard. I'm wondering if you've considered copy and pasting your text and photos into a word doc and turning in to a PDF - to share your experience with other owners. No need for the generic photos from the web, but it would be an interesting read for many on the group.

I've attached some images for you
Mark

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160109

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160111


Hi Mark
thanks for the comments.
I Know of the face book site and its has some brilliant photos of the stalwart.
The ones you posted are very good too.
I don't post on the face book site as I have issues with the security of Face book .
This is no reflection on the Stalwart site and I hope it the best.
I would post on the old Stalwart forums site which is long gone.
As for turn is thread into a PDF....I am not computer savvy.
I post this for my own inspiration and its followers give me the drive to do more to the Stalwart I have.
If you read this thread from the start you should realise it was never intended that way.
I consider what I have posted on this thread information for all, if it helps another Stalwart owner.
The big thing I have never really been able to find out is my Stalwarts army and post service history in the UK.
The brass plate inside the cabin is missing...…..I believe a possible former owner of my Stalwart has this ,a fellow called Robin Day.
The hull number is 806 and I am told, but cannot confirm the army rego number was 90ET44,,,,just here say?
I cannot find any photos of that rego number in service anywhere.
I do know the stalwart was in Germany in 1982.....this is certain due to a lolly wrapper found in the cabin which could be dated and only sold in Germany
Its civilian UK rego number plates indicates it was in the Brighton area ???????
The swim gear looks to have been refitted at some stage , as the jet drives drive shafts appear to be shortened landrover items.
Someone also went to great lengths to place patch over patch to keep this Stalwart water tight indicating it has done some post service swimming???????
My stalwart has a high hour meter reading, but only just over 200miles on the odometer when I first got it, possibility indicating this stalwart has been swimming.
The tractor joints indicate the very low mileage, but no signs of water ingress at all.
Most of the rust in the upper body work of my stalwart has been caused by sitting uncovered out in the weather.
Any info would be helpful.
My stalwart also had a unusual light with alloy guard fitted to the rear most LHS of the vehicle at the rear of the tool box with a extra Clansman speaker.
I never have found a photo of a stalwart fitted with this at all.
the extra light was damaged during transport to Australia.
It was also fitted with a clansman speaker on the RHS at the front of the body near the cabin and brackets on the rear drop ally tail gate to hold a ladder of some sort.

The current status is I have not been working on the Stalwart due to working on another project and therefore no new posts.
Work will begin again soon.
The last time I moved the stalwart It lost the power steering, which on a twin steer vehicle with baggy low pressure tyres and a weight of 10 tonnes, makes things difficult and the I have a air leak some where as the compressor will not shut off.
that will have to be looked into next.
I am wondering if that hidden hydraulic strainer on limber model stalwarts has blocked again, despite me cleaning and changing out the hydraulic oil before.
Strangely my stalwart has rust holes in it, but not much now, the priority is the trailer to move it around on and get that finished , as when I get the steering and air systems sorted again, it useable, just not swimmable.
access to a towing vehicle is not far away.
To drive a standard Stalwart the long distances we have in Australia on a very complex 50 year old vehicle is asking for trouble especially as I cannot get parts in Australia and the Australian dollar is very weak at present against the Euro or Pound.
Regards
Ron

[101 Ron]

Hi Ron,

Just joined for a chat with you. I'm one of the admin of the Facebook HMLC group, Alvis HMLC 6 x 6 Stalwart public group | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alvis.HMLC.6.x.6.Stalwart/) We've got members from a number of countries.
I'm Ex Royal Engineers and was a Stolly op for 2 years back in the 80's. Most of my Stolly work was pack fuel and Mk 7 anti tank mines.

I've been enjoying your restoration project, which has been recorded with detail to a high standard. I'm wondering if you've considered copy and pasting your text and photos into a word doc and turning in to a PDF - to share your experience with other owners. No need for the generic photos from the web, but it would be an interesting read for many on the group.

I've attached some images for you
Mark

160107

160108

160109

160110

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Hi Mark
just about the excellent photos you posted
The one with what looks to be a rocket fired anchor to pull the stalwart up a greasy river bank is interesting and ties in with the video which I had linked a little bit earlier.
The bar mine layer photo is brilliant too.
I wonder why the Stalwart was never used much with the bar mine layer, as I see it as a perfect tractor with high traction to pull it and carrying capacity for lots of mines.
The carrying of jerry cans would have always been a interesting exercise in a Stalwart, specially hundreds of them.
One leaky jerrycan, or one with the cap not cammed over correctly with a slow drip, drip onto the alloy floor/engine cover and then onto that cherry red exhaust...…..(running shoes needed to be carried in the cabin especially if the two shot extinguisher system didn't work.)
It would have been bad enough to do this on a standard army truck, let alone over the engine of the stalwart.

[Mark_E]

I agree about Facebook security, and I'm glad that you've found and enjoyed the group. Most members forget to browse the photo albums of the group, and also don't look in the Files section. You know I'm going to use your photos for the group, right [wink11]
I'm currently looking for a PDF of the Operators handbook, to share on the group.

By the way, this is the stowage case for the Operator handbook rather than a map case.
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I'm sure you've seen this. People put the wrong substance in certain things. On my course at Leconfield, we were wrongly told by the Royal Artillery instructors to put grease in the torsion bars, but it's gearbox oil.

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Your's has clearly been modified by a civilian owner. The rust is because it was probably swam in the sea too much without being cleaned. Whilst they are sea worthy (and one soldier did come half way across the channel in one) they were designed for crossing German canals

At the back of the cab above the fuel filer pipe should be a Vehicle identification plate, which I'm guessing he removed
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Whilst Germany trialed a protoype, and France trialed a couple of Mk 1s, Sweden was the only other country to buy the Stalwart

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Swedish Mk 1's have the hydraulic winch fitted externally on the front of the cab, which guess inspired Alvis to fit the winch as standard on the Mk 2. all Mk 2 were made with winches.

Britain trialed various vehicles in Thailand at the same time as the Americans.We were building roads and airports for Thailand.
No sales came from the trials. The other vehicle is the FV437 Pathfinder. The idea being for it to swim across a canal and then winch any other vehicles up any step banks.

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But the Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) made that surplus to requirement, and FV437 never went in to production.
The CET sits very low in the water , even with it's additional buoyancy tanks
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The two German Mk 2 on the internet are actually ex British army that someone bought and painted up as German.

Someone mentioned about the Stalwart ousting a tracked 430 series load carrier. This is the FV431
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Radios were rarely fitted - and never fitted in fuel carrying vehicles. Most Stalwarts carried fuel or ammo. Some carried mines, some carried the Troops G1098 equipment.
Vehicles only carried radios and CS kit when going out on exercise, so radios in the sigs wing and CS in the MT store when not going out. Included in the Stalwart CS is two 25 litre water jerry cans, which sit on that plate in the corner of the louvres - that area at the back where the heat expels from the radiator. It gave lovely warm water to wash in on arrival at harbour area.
In the two years that I was on Stollys, we only fitted radios on one exercise - which was a one week squadron exercise. Stolly were used for carrying pallets of concrete Mk 7 AT mines, which guys passed over the side and others laid on the floor.
They used FV 432 for laying Barmines as they're sat protected in an armoured metal box in case of any enemy fire. Normally, Bedfords would be parked at the edge with the 432 going back for more

160215

Your Stolly has clearly been played with by the previous owner. The clansman speakers you show were fitted in APCs so the troops could hear any broadcast. Never fitted in any Stolly. Whatever was fitted in that rear corner also wasn't original, and looks from the holes like they had a few different things fitted over time.
Army heavy duty vehicle batteries are square things that fit anything from the back of FFR Land Rovers to tanks. Could you share some pictures of your batteries and tray, because that's not original?

Someone mentioned diesel engines. Some have fitted the Bedford 500 engine with good result, and some the Rolls Royce K60 which is a multi fuel engine. The MOD liked multi fuel engines in the 60s. The Bedford MK was a multi fuel engine, where as the MJ was pure diesel only. Whilst Alvis looked in to converting them to diesels, the need for amphibious vehicles had dropped and the Stalwart is costly to maintain. So the army ended up with Bedford TMs and the Foden/Scammell DROPS vehicles.

Someone also disputed the grunt of the Stalwart, but fails to acknowledge the hub reduction on these things. I slipped the off side wheels off the side of a road once as we stopped to let another convoy past. I had to turn round and join the other convoy, and she merrily grunted up the step bank with it's nose in the air to get it back on the road.
This is Arthur Dent, who fitted a Rolls Royce K60 engine - dragging a Chieftain. It's not struggling because of the weight, but because of the tracks being rusted.
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnvHW-rapSY)

There is an Army recruitment film that I saw in the 70s (not yet found it anywhere) of supporting the front line. It's about cooks, and bringing supplies up to the front line. In the film, a Stolly drags a dead centurion tank along a gravel road.

I only ever got stuck once. Coming in to a harbour area in the woods one night I suddenly lost forward movement. I'd driven over a tree stump that was just the right height to stop it going forward or backwards. My main Stolly carried pack fuel. A max of 344 25 ltr jerry cans, which is around 7.5 tons. It should be remembered to keep the two hull drain plugs left out unless you are about to swim. Jerry cans are quite secure when closed properly, and I never saw any fire. There was one recorded fire in BAOR, which was a disgruntled soldier.
160217

But drain plugs should be left out to stop the hull filling with rain water. I know it's a tadge warmer on Australia, but I've seen a Stolly with frozen ice surrounding the engine.

You mentions about air lockers for the drive shafts. Remembering that it's a limited slip differential, you might find that you have as much trouble/damage just because there is no diff side to side.
PeeWee mentions that they don't like changing gear when going round the corner, but it's dipping the clutch that they don't like. I still clearly remember following a CVRT Spartan round a bend, but the driver had got his speed wrong and had to slow down halfway round the bend. The sight of the Staff Sargent leaning forward and beating the driver over the head with the microphone as I was forced to dip my clutch and kangaroo round was a happy sight [biggrin]

The Saracen has a higher ratio transfer box, which would give a higher road speed. I've driven from Osnabruck to Munster and back without problem, but had the knowledge of REME support if I needed it at the tax payers expense.

This is the limited B card for 90ET44 from RLC's website
160216

Which is got from Vehicle search - RLC Digital Archive (https://www.rlcarchive.org/VehicleMerlin2?e=90ET44)
Also 90ET44 Vehicle History
- Merlin Archive (https://www.merlinarchive.uk/vehicle/90ET44)

Some history was lost when the RCT museum at Leconfield closed and everything passed to RLC Deepcut.


Something else you need to do it the Bridge weight on the front.
The 622 GS version weighs 8.5, carries 5 tonnes and is a max of 14 tonne bridge classification.
The 623/624 Limber version weighs 10 tones and can only carry 4 tones to take it up to the 14 tonne max.
We had a guy go on an Instructors course at Leconfield before he'd done even a unit Operators course. When he returned they made him IC HMLCs and his first mistake was to paint all the Stolly at 15 instead of 14 Bridge classification. He'd somehow added the 10 t of limber to 5 of GS and made it 15. Embarrassed himself in front of the whole regiment.

Some civilian then decided that because the crane can lift 3 tons, that should be added to the 10 and 5 and came up with a Bridge classification of 18 - and that's why your's has 18 painted on the front instead of 14.

[Mark_E]

Oh, the fuel tank.
Whilst the GS has a 454 litre (100 imperial gallons) tank, the crane versions have a smaller tank at 405 litres because of the crane mount. There's a big dip in the middle

160218

Official fuel consumption was 4 miles to the gallon, apparently 70.6 l / 100 km in metric.
That's good compared to the Centurion at 4 gallons to the mile

You know that the chassis number is on the front Nearside ?
160219 160220

[Mark_E]

Within the thread is a picture of the bug on a low loader.

it's actually a sound stage for gigs. It was used at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony

160304 160305

160306 160307

160308 160309

160311 160312


The back end has been extended to form a stage. You can see the frame and flooring at the top of the pictur.
I guess the blocks are to stop it moving as they move around

160310

[Mark_E]

...
To drive a standard Stalwart the long distances we have in Australia on a very complex 50 year old vehicle is asking for trouble especially as I cannot get parts in Australia and the Australian dollar is very weak at present against the Euro or Pound.
...

Stalwarts were never designed for long distance supply vehicles. The idea being the Low or Medium Mobility Load Carriers would bring them forward, and then Stalwarts would supply the tanks and artillery in the off road places.

Here's a video of Stolly bits from a Recruitment film dated 1990


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDtVPwc5pxA

[101 Ron]

Brillant video Mark

Thanks for posting it.

On this page some is a photo of my stalwart just before import to Australia

On the rear of it you should be able to see a clansman speaker mounted on the rear of the tool box and a light with a diecast alloy guard.
I have never seen a photo of a stalwart with this set up any where and have been wondering the purpose of the extra speakers and light.
The guard for the light is the same guard used for the fire warning light inside the cabin which leads me to think it must have been a in service fitment.
There is a professionally wired in extra clansman speaker on the RHS out side of the cabin too.
The extra cabin outside speaker I have found in some old service photos on other Stalwarts.
My stalwart also had brackets on the inside of the rear tailgate which I have been I am told , may have been for a ladder.
Any ideas what this stalwart may have been used for.
I have been doing some research thanks to the lead you gave me with the old vehicle movement history.
The first 18 years of the stalwarts life has a problem.
The threate draw down unit veh coy didn't exist until about 1991 as that unit was formed to redirect vehicles back to UK or for sale because the cold war was ending .

I understand the on line vehicle movement records were hand written to a online service and therefore errors may exist.
Thanks
Ron
Humble stalwart owner.

[Mark_E]

Found this video, which will help people understand the role of the Stalwart in Germany. The vehicle was specifically speced to work in BAOR supporting the front line in woods and on heathland, and very few were used in the UK, solely for training. Mk 1's served in Aden, but never got to the Gulf war


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPVnyOtOnGo

[Mark_E]

The threate draw down unit veh coy didn't exist until about 1991 as that unit was formed to redirect vehicles back to UK or for sale because the cold war was ending .

I understand the on line vehicle movement records were hand written to a online service and therefore errors may exist.
Thanks
Ron
Humble stalwart owner.

RAOC had a number of large warehouses in Belgium for the entire time of BAOR, stuffed full of vehicles. It's from there that new vehicles were sent to units in Germany, and where old vehicles were (Drawn down) sent back to or when a unit was disbanded and the vehicles sent back. Many of the vehicles there were War reserve, waiting for trainloads of TA to arrive from the UK.

This is Olen and Emblem in Holland.

160335 160336

Some vehicles at release were sent to Monchengladbach in Germany for sale.


Vehicle records were recorded on B cards.

160337

Remember how old the British army is, computerising the vehicle records started in 1984 under the new program Merlin.
There are a number of errors and omissions on Merlin, partially because they had thousands of cards to enter.
160338

Many of the B cards were entered onto Merlin by and at the expense of the RCT Association rather then MOD. This might explain some of the errors compared to just using volunteers to enter the data.

There was at least 140 Mk 1 Stalwart chassis made, which includes somewhere between 11 and 14 prototypes and those few sold to Sweden.
There was at least 956 Mk 2 Stalwart Chassis made, which includes some sold to Sweden.

Of the 1095 chassis, there is some 170 chassis with no registration or vehicle type associated with the chassis no on Merlin.

160340

Most were withdrawn in 1989, and replaced with Bedford TM 6x6 - cheaper to run and maintain.
In the winter of 82, we were banned from using petrol vehicles and all unnecessary transport was stopped. This included putting tracked vehicles on blocks of wood to stop troops from moving them, and any transport was done in Bedfords instead of Land Rovers.

BAOR coast the British tax payer a fortune. Our Government refused to ask Germany for money for WW2, and we didn't finish paying the war loan back to the Americans until 2006. Mean whilst, Millions of troops from America, Britain, Holland and Canada who were being paid by their own country's taxes but spending their wages in German bars, shops, clubs, garages. Germany laughed all the way to the bank after WW2.

What you can possibly be sure of is that your stolly served with a Royal Artillery unit, or Armoured corps in Germany. Royal Engineer units and REME had the 624 version.

[101 Ron]

I agree about Facebook security, and I'm glad that you've found and enjoyed the group. Most members forget to browse the photo albums of the group, and also don't look in the Files section. You know I'm going to use your photos for the group, right [wink11]
I'm currently looking for a PDF of the Operators handbook, to share on the group.

By the way, this is the stowage case for the Operator handbook rather than a map case.
160213


I'm sure you've seen this. People put the wrong substance in certain things. On my course at Leconfield, we were wrongly told by the Royal Artillery instructors to put grease in the torsion bars, but it's gearbox oil.

160205


Your's has clearly been modified by a civilian owner. The rust is because it was probably swam in the sea too much without being cleaned. Whilst they are sea worthy (and one soldier did come half way across the channel in one) they were designed for crossing German canals

At the back of the cab above the fuel filer pipe should be a Vehicle identification plate, which I'm guessing he removed
160206 160207

Whilst Germany trialed a protoype, and France trialed a couple of Mk 1s, Sweden was the only other country to buy the Stalwart

160208
Swedish Mk 1's have the hydraulic winch fitted externally on the front of the cab, which guess inspired Alvis to fit the winch as standard on the Mk 2. all Mk 2 were made with winches.

Britain trialed various vehicles in Thailand at the same time as the Americans.We were building roads and airports for Thailand.
No sales came from the trials. The other vehicle is the FV437 Pathfinder. The idea being for it to swim across a canal and then winch any other vehicles up any step banks.

160209 160214

But the Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) made that surplus to requirement, and FV437 never went in to production.
The CET sits very low in the water , even with it's additional buoyancy tanks
160210

The two German Mk 2 on the internet are actually ex British army that someone bought and painted up as German.

Someone mentioned about the Stalwart ousting a tracked 430 series load carrier. This is the FV431
160211 160212

Radios were rarely fitted - and never fitted in fuel carrying vehicles. Most Stalwarts carried fuel or ammo. Some carried mines, some carried the Troops G1098 equipment.
Vehicles only carried radios and CS kit when going out on exercise, so radios in the sigs wing and CS in the MT store when not going out. Included in the Stalwart CS is two 25 litre water jerry cans, which sit on that plate in the corner of the louvres - that area at the back where the heat expels from the radiator. It gave lovely warm water to wash in on arrival at harbour area.
In the two years that I was on Stollys, we only fitted radios on one exercise - which was a one week squadron exercise. Stolly were used for carrying pallets of concrete Mk 7 AT mines, which guys passed over the side and others laid on the floor.
They used FV 432 for laying Barmines as they're sat protected in an armoured metal box in case of any enemy fire. Normally, Bedfords would be parked at the edge with the 432 going back for more

160215

Your Stolly has clearly been played with by the previous owner. The clansman speakers you show were fitted in APCs so the troops could hear any broadcast. Never fitted in any Stolly. Whatever was fitted in that rear corner also wasn't original, and looks from the holes like they had a few different things fitted over time.
Army heavy duty vehicle batteries are square things that fit anything from the back of FFR Land Rovers to tanks. Could you share some pictures of your batteries and tray, because that's not original?

Someone mentioned diesel engines. Some have fitted the Bedford 500 engine with good result, and some the Rolls Royce K60 which is a multi fuel engine. The MOD liked multi fuel engines in the 60s. The Bedford MK was a multi fuel engine, where as the MJ was pure diesel only. Whilst Alvis looked in to converting them to diesels, the need for amphibious vehicles had dropped and the Stalwart is costly to maintain. So the army ended up with Bedford TMs and the Foden/Scammell DROPS vehicles.

Someone also disputed the grunt of the Stalwart, but fails to acknowledge the hub reduction on these things. I slipped the off side wheels off the side of a road once as we stopped to let another convoy past. I had to turn round and join the other convoy, and she merrily grunted up the step bank with it's nose in the air to get it back on the road.
This is Arthur Dent, who fitted a Rolls Royce K60 engine - dragging a Chieftain. It's not struggling because of the weight, but because of the tracks being rusted.
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnvHW-rapSY)

There is an Army recruitment film that I saw in the 70s (not yet found it anywhere) of supporting the front line. It's about cooks, and bringing supplies up to the front line. In the film, a Stolly drags a dead centurion tank along a gravel road.

I only ever got stuck once. Coming in to a harbour area in the woods one night I suddenly lost forward movement. I'd driven over a tree stump that was just the right height to stop it going forward or backwards. My main Stolly carried pack fuel. A max of 344 25 ltr jerry cans, which is around 7.5 tons. It should be remembered to keep the two hull drain plugs left out unless you are about to swim. Jerry cans are quite secure when closed properly, and I never saw any fire. There was one recorded fire in BAOR, which was a disgruntled soldier.
160217

But drain plugs should be left out to stop the hull filling with rain water. I know it's a tadge warmer on Australia, but I've seen a Stolly with frozen ice surrounding the engine.

You mentions about air lockers for the drive shafts. Remembering that it's a limited slip differential, you might find that you have as much trouble/damage just because there is no diff side to side.
PeeWee mentions that they don't like changing gear when going round the corner, but it's dipping the clutch that they don't like. I still clearly remember following a CVRT Spartan round a bend, but the driver had got his speed wrong and had to slow down halfway round the bend. The sight of the Staff Sargent leaning forward and beating the driver over the head with the microphone as I was forced to dip my clutch and kangaroo round was a happy sight [biggrin]

The Saracen has a higher ratio transfer box, which would give a higher road speed. I've driven from Osnabruck to Munster and back without problem, but had the knowledge of REME support if I needed it at the tax payers expense.

This is the limited B card for 90ET44 from RLC's website
160216

Which is got from Vehicle search - RLC Digital Archive (https://www.rlcarchive.org/VehicleMerlin2?e=90ET44)
Also 90ET44 Vehicle History
- Merlin Archive (https://www.merlinarchive.uk/vehicle/90ET44)

Some history was lost when the RCT museum at Leconfield closed and everything passed to RLC Deepcut.


Something else you need to do it the Bridge weight on the front.
The 622 GS version weighs 8.5, carries 5 tonnes and is a max of 14 tonne bridge classification.
The 623/624 Limber version weighs 10 tones and can only carry 4 tones to take it up to the 14 tonne max.
We had a guy go on an Instructors course at Leconfield before he'd done even a unit Operators course. When he returned they made him IC HMLCs and his first mistake was to paint all the Stolly at 15 instead of 14 Bridge classification. He'd somehow added the 10 t of limber to 5 of GS and made it 15. Embarrassed himself in front of the whole regiment.

Some civilian then decided that because the crane can lift 3 tons, that should be added to the 10 and 5 and came up with a Bridge classification of 18 - and that's why your's has 18 painted on the front instead of 14.


Attached is some pictures of the battery tray.
It all appears to be original.
The heavy duty original cable and the original battery terminal clamps appear to be still present.
The batteries currently fitted are smaller than the English ones than it was shipped to Australia with.
the nuts on the battery hold down bar appear to be original cast items, but the hold down bar/frame is mostly likely not original.
There is no signs of cables or brackets ever been fitted to the RHS rear of the cabin....ie below the boiling vessel.
I have seen inside the cabin of the other FV623 stalwart here in Australia and it has a battery either side of the cabin and it is a slightly earlier build than mine.
Comparing the two different set ups for the batteries I like mine with the two batteries on the LHS under the generator control box and battery isolation switch.
It is a more simple battery cable layout and gives much more room in the cabin.
The area under the boiling vessel on the RHS rear of the cabin is free and I fitted a 12 volt outlet via a non standard invertor as I have a small fridge to keep beverages cool which fits in nicely .
One thing I have done which frees up more room in the cabin is removing the hand bilge pump from behind the drivers seat..( my Stalwart was missing this pump anyhow) and the hosing.
To replace it I have another electric bilge pump the same as the standard one on a MK11 stalwart mounted on the hull between the parking brake drums. working though the hand bilge pump outlet on the LHS of the cabin...…...I also fitted a stainless steel auto float switch to it with a manual over ride.
I feel this is a much better arrangement especially when a Limber version of the stalwart floats nose down in the water.
I have enough room behind the driver seat to store a duffel bag.
Another thing I have never worked out is what the soft flap is for clamped to the cabin vent intake pipe.
I think it will be shown in the last photo I post.
I am not certain which way around it goes...……..my only thoughts is it may stop sun glare for some reason ?
Ron

[Mark_E]

...

On the rear of it you should be able to see a clansman speaker mounted on the rear of the tool box and a light with a diecast alloy guard.
I have never seen a photo of a stalwart with this set up any where and have been wondering the purpose of the extra speakers and light.
The guard for the light is the same guard used for the fire warning light inside the cabin which leads me to think it must have been a in service fitment.
There is a professionally wired in extra clansman speaker on the RHS out side of the cabin too.
The extra cabin outside speaker I have found in some old service photos on other Stalwarts.



The Clansman speak is normally used in FV432s and Spartans and the like for people to hear a broadcast. I've never seen a picture of speakers on the back and never seen one on the back, but will ask the UK lot. Never say never, but um ...

The diecast guard is not standard.

Please point me to the other photos of external speakers so I can delve deeper

The diecast guard on yours is not standard Fire system. They bolt to the sides of the unit, rather than on to the face like on the back of yours

160348

[101 Ron]

RAOC had a number of large warehouses in Belgium for the entire time of BAOR, stuffed full of vehicles. It's from there that new vehicles were sent to units in Germany, and where old vehicles were (Drawn down) sent back to or when a unit was disbanded and the vehicles sent back. Many of the vehicles there were War reserve, waiting for trainloads of TA to arrive from the UK.

This is Olen and Emblem in Holland.

160335 160336

Some vehicles at release were sent to Monchengladbach in Germany for sale.


Vehicle records were recorded on B cards.

160337

Remember how old the British army is, computerising the vehicle records started in 1984 under the new program Merlin.
There are a number of errors and omissions on Merlin, partially because they had thousands of cards to enter.
160338

Many of the B cards were entered onto Merlin by and at the expense of the RCT Association rather then MOD. This might explain some of the errors compared to just using volunteers to enter the data.

There was at least 140 Mk 1 Stalwart chassis made, which includes somewhere between 11 and 14 prototypes and those few sold to Sweden.
There was at least 956 Mk 2 Stalwart Chassis made, which includes some sold to Sweden.

Of the 1095 chassis, there is some 170 chassis with no registration or vehicle type associated with the chassis no on Merlin.

160340

Most were withdrawn in 1989, and replaced with Bedford TM 6x6 - cheaper to run and maintain.
In the winter of 82, we were banned from using petrol vehicles and all unnecessary transport was stopped. This included putting tracked vehicles on blocks of wood to stop troops from moving them, and any transport was done in Bedfords instead of Land Rovers.

BAOR coast the British tax payer a fortune. Our Government refused to ask Germany for money for WW2, and we didn't finish paying the war loan back to the Americans until 2006. Mean whilst, Millions of troops from America, Britain, Holland and Canada who were being paid by their own country's taxes but spending their wages in German bars, shops, clubs, garages. Germany laughed all the way to the bank after WW2.

What you can possibly be sure of is that your stolly served with a Royal Artillery unit, or Armoured corps in Germany. Royal Engineer units and REME had the 624 version.


My Stalwart has every sign of not being used and just stored, and mostly likely why I cannot find a picture of it in service.
It had just over 200 miles on the odometer when I got it.
I didn't believe the miles were original.
Every thing I pull apart from a wear point of view is like new and I am starting to believe those miles may have been original.
The corrosion in the vehicle appears to be from outside uncovered storage and from snow.
My biggest problem has been that corrosion and the lack of use causing various oil seals to leak.

[101 Ron]

The die cast guard on the rear and light was smashed during transport to Australia and some one had thrown the remains of it in to the cabin so I don't have much to go on other than the UK photo.
The metal plate to the rear clansman was professionally welded on the tool box......I have removed it now.
Wiring running back to the light and wiring to rear clansman speaker was poorly done in a hurry.

[101 Ron]

This picture was taken today in the rain
It is the Cabin RHS out side clansman speaker.
The extinguisher is non original one I fitted as the standard ones are illegal here.
the wiring to this speaker is though a water proof bulk head fitting though the hull and the lead is long enough to run to the radio stand area in side the cabin.

[Mark_E]

...
My stalwart also had brackets on the inside of the rear tailgate which I have been I am told , may have been for a ladder.
Any ideas what this stalwart may have been used for.
...

Whilst you might think that these items are original, it is possible that after service life someone has installed them to a higher then usual standard. Remember that these were being sold off from 1990's, 30 years ago.

The only thing on the inside of the tailgate should be the mounting and storage grooves for the louvre boards - but I've never seen louvre boards.

160364 160365

They have landed all over the world in private hands, and doing film work. And some of them have been totally abused.

It's possible that yours was used for beach tours or water tours after it left the army, with people getting in through the tailgate

Crane vehicles never had canopy poles fitted. This is in America

160349 160360

Some animal did this

160351 160352 160354

Back plate removed and welded up.

160353 160355

Used for diamond mining in some film

160356 160357

and WTH

160358

In Canada

160359

And in South America

160361

A German bought these and bodged a splash board

160362

A front tow bar welded on, which blocks the winch

160363

And this just offensive


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TDLqSiu9AE

[Mark_E]

It all appears to be original.
...
There is no signs of cables or brackets ever been fitted to the RHS rear of the cabin....ie below the boiling vessel.
I have seen inside the cabin of the other FV623 stalwart here in Australia and it has a battery either side of the cabin and it is a slightly earlier build than mine.


It's not original. One thing that was never changed was the battery. Any change went through trials before being retrofitted to everything else as a recorded Modification.

Take a closer look at these items in the corner

160366

When filling up with petrol, one is supposed to use the gauge to ensure that the fuel never overfills the tank and sits in the rubber pipe above the battery.
The battery is supposed to be in a wooden box to protect anyone in the cab, and stop fuel that might get out of the filler pipe from getting on the battery

160367 160368

[Mark_E]

This picture was taken today in the rain
It is the Cabin RHS out side clansman speaker.
The extinguisher is non original one I fitted as the standard ones are illegal here.
the wiring to this speaker is though a water proof bulk head fitting though the hull and the lead is long enough to run to the radio stand area in side the cabin.

It's interesting that they face out. Perhaps advertising whilst driving around, or calling people over when parked up - ready for tours perhaps, rather than giving information to passengers

[101 Ron]

In just learnt something.
I have been spotting the horn on MK1 stalwarts as a clansman speaker.
Therefore MK1 Stalwart must not have been fitted with a air horn like the later models ??????
Not having good access to other stalwarts doesn't help my knowledge.
I pulled the attached picture from page 12 of this thread.
It shows one of the brackets on the tail gate...……...guessing to be for a small ladder ????????
there where two brackets and also a extra u shaped piece of alloy welded onto the tailgate, I think can just been seen in the picture.
There are also the normal U shaped alloy strips to hold the free board extension.
Mark, would I do need is good picture of the brackets which hold the jack pad and shovel holder which goes on the dividing board between the radiator outlet and cargo area.
I need to make them.
I also have no good pictures of the folding frame work for the crew cover either side of the crane.
I need to make them, but I think the locking arrangement would be hard to make.
Thanks for info you have given me so far.
Ron
Ps I may go against all my principles for facebook and sign up for the Stalwart site.

[Mark_E]

One thing I have done which frees up more room in the cabin is removing the hand bilge pump from behind the drivers seat..( my Stalwart was missing this pump anyhow) and the hosing.
To replace it I have another electric bilge pump the same as the standard one on a MK11 stalwart mounted on the hull between the parking brake drums. working though the hand bilge pump outlet on the LHS of the cabin...…...I also fitted a stainless steel auto float switch to it with a manual over ride.

I feel this is a much better arrangement especially when a Limber version of the stalwart floats nose down in the water.
I have enough room behind the driver seat to store a duffel bag.
Another thing I have never worked out is what the soft flap is for clamped to the cabin vent intake pipe.
I think it will be shown in the last photo I post.
I am not certain which way around it goes...……..my only thoughts is it may stop sun glare for some reason ?
Ron


The hand bilge pump is for emergency, in case you lose power. If you lose electric for any reason including engine failure you could sink [wink11]

This one has the wooden handle missing off the shaft

160371 160372

That plastic bit, I've got no idea what it was for, maybe to keep the airflow from the vent on the window to keep it clear as it is the Off side in Germany, the side where other traffic will be overtaking you and you need to see to pull out. But looks twisted. Ignore the red line in my photo

160373 160374

The stop cock behind the seat is to turn the hot water off so the heating doesn't get hot in summer. There should also be two turn flow valves directly next to the engine to shut it off. Always a sod when you're loaded and the weather changes.

Oh, and to get it to backfire whilst you're driving - turn off the ignition switch, press the accelerator, and then turn the ignition switch back on

[Mark_E]

I also have no good pictures of the folding frame work for the crew cover either side of the crane.
I need to make them, but I think the locking arrangement would be hard to make.
Thanks for info you have given me so far.
Ron
Ps I may go against all my principles for facebook and sign up for the Stalwart site.

Facebook is a demon, but also a vast resource. It's killed numerous forum discussion websites, mainly because there is a real security issue for the webmasters of forums.

160379

The floor plate is for two 25 litre water cans

160380 160380 160381

Join the group and they'll give you all the dimensions

[Homestar]

Biggest issue with Facebook (apart from the security) is that information gets lost quickly and if you aren’t on regularly then you can miss stuff. While it can be a great information source a forum archives the info so that it’s easy for later review, sharing, etc.

Appreciate all the pics, videos and info you’re bringing over here though. [emoji106]

[Mark_E]

Biggest issue with Facebook (apart from the security) is that information gets lost quickly and if you aren’t on regularly then you can miss stuff. While it can be a great information source a forum archives the info so that it’s easy for later review, sharing, etc.

Appreciate all the pics, videos and info you’re bringing over here though. [emoji106]

Fully agree. Groups do have a Files and Photo section. But it's hard to get members to upload their photos to their own or a special album - to make them easier to find at a later date.
If someone starts a thread with a photo, that photo shows in the groups main photos - but other photos posted within the thread do not get shown in the main group photos - so becomes lost

[Mark_E]

Attached is some pictures of the battery tray.
It all appears to be original.
The heavy duty original cable and the original battery terminal clamps appear to be still present.
The batteries currently fitted are smaller than the English ones than it was shipped to Australia with.
..

Ron, I need to apologise and stand corrected.

I've been informed that some did have twin square batteries on the one side, and it's not the later ones. I've been given an account of one that was made some years before mine.
Does yours have aerial bases on the cab roof?

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or not

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I'll go and stand in the corner now

And this that you've previously shown and registered in the same town also has speaker
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[101 Ron]

Yes mine has the twin aerial mounts, the LHS forward one has the rubber mount and my Stalwart was supplied with a aerial to go in it.( this aerial looks to have been used in service as the aerial wiring has been used.)( I would guess the previous civie owners used the aerial to carry pendants or flags)
The centre aerial mount has a plate bolted over it, but is now used for a CB radio antenna for I have fitted a CB radio and was an other reason for fitting a 24volt to 12 volt invertor besides the fridge to keep beverages cool.
It looks like my Stalwart has never been fitted with a radio tray, but did use a radio.
I think I would be safe to say the radios fitted were Clansmans just used loose in the cabin.

[Mark_E]

Thought you might enjoy these. The Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) had a rocket propelled winch anchor, which was also trialled for the Stalwart. CET's nick name amongst operators is Frog, because they swim shallow and ungainly


These are my mate's photos of the anchor being fired off a CET on the Achmer training area near Osnabruck in Germany. Obviously fired with the hatches closed.

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160650


The CET has buoyancy aids, in the form of black plastic tanks that strap in to the digging bucket and behind the splash board on the front deck

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And how it sits in the water when swimming

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[Mark_E]

Attached is a short PDF with extracts about the Royal Engineer's use of the Stalwart

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[Mark_E]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2uQTnimeBc

[101 Ron]

Well its been something like Two years since I have done any work on the Stalwart.

I think I have now owned it for something like Ten years and its still not finished.

The Two year gap is because I have been doing other projects and finishing them.

The other reasons is if there has not been bush fires, there's been flood and COVID or health issues.

The final reason was the Stalwart lost its power steering.

Ten tonnes and wide low pressure tyres twin steer arrangement is not a good option by trying to steer by muscle power alone..............but it can be done so I have learnt.

Today I decided to revisit the Stalwart.

During the lay up the stalwart has been out in the weather with just a tarp over it.
The weather has knocked around the paint work and much of it will have to be done again at a later date. ( at least all the chipping back and sanding of the original paint work was done.)
With the Stalwart out in the weather means the weather gods have to be on side for me to work on it, or other wise its a forced work ethic , rather than a hobby enjoyment type ethic.
When fuel was about 80cents a litre I took the opportunity to buy petrol and store it for a rain day in the Stalwarts 500 litre fuel tank which I think is near full.

I will have start figuring out how to retrieve that fuel and use it in other vehicles as the Stalwart will not be doing any miles yet.

Today the old Stalwart started up straight away like if nothing has happened..............it always starts first short press of the starter button ............no choke..........perfect idle stone cold.
I was planning to drain the hydraulic oil tank into a empty 205 litre drum and check the power steering pump strainer which is usually a problem if blocked on the FV623 limber Stalwart.
I quickly found the problem.........no hydraulic oil.
I threw in 30 litres just to get things going again................steering works.
The question is how could about 60 litres of hydraulic oil leak out into hull and not be noticed ??????????
Time should give me an answer.
I took the Stalwart for a short drive on private property just to keep things lubed and working.
Its running well.
I have a hull full of ash from the fires of a few years back and the normal oil/water mix in the bottom too................what fun to get that out.
I need to finish the stalwart as the way I am going I will be too old to climb in and out over the top of it.
My other projects have been the Wiles cooker Junior which is in a thread on Military trailers here at AULRO.
I have also been sorting out a Austin Champ which has a 4 cylinder version of the straight 8 engine in the Stalwart.
All I can say the 4 cylinder and the 8 cylinder are like chalk and cheese.........the 8 is silky smooth and just delivers the power brillantly.
The champ has a different style carburetor, needs choke and to warm up.....the champ feels restricted breathing wise......the Stalwart is happy to run on its red line all day.
I also have a GS400 Suzuki MPs army bike as another on going project also taking my time.
I have to see how its all going to fit in time wise.

Ron

[101RRS]

Too many projects Ron - glad to see you back at it.

[101 Ron]

I never stop.....just size and complexity is making the Stalwart hard.
I am only one person with a limited budget.
Just untarping a vehicle this size single handed can take half an hour.
Pulling the tarp.back on by my self is impossible due to the weight of the tarp and the 3 mtrs height.

In the previous post I said I had health problems.........one of them is getting a pace maker fitted.
This makes welding the Stalwart more problematic.
I still have much rust to cut out and new metal to weld in.
I have made what I call my Ned Kelly suit..............a metal singlet which has a long lead running to a earth.............it works, but limits my movement and makes welding more difficult.
It's effectively a Faraday shield.
The champ I have is rough and ready, but I am slowly bringing it up to a good standard.
The champ has been easy compared to the Stalwart.
The cross feed of design ideas from the original British army design board is plain the see, as well.as the interchange of some parts.
A good example is the engine starter motors, air filters, fuel filters,various lights, brackets and body fittings.
Both vehicles have similar in design ,suspension, tracta joints and separate forward reverse gearbox.
Many later ideas and design faults of the champ were corrected on the Stalwart as it was in production at a much later date.
Two speed generator was tossed for very early use of a very good altenator.
The forward/reverse gear set up of the stalwart is pressure lubricated when ever the engine is running...........not even the Saracen or Saladin had that............you can drive the Stalwart backwards all day at high speed and not hurt it.
I enjoyed my little run in the Stalwart today...............I had forgotten what fun the big thing is to drive off road.

[101 Ron]

Just posting information that applies to the Stalwart, but 101 Landrovers, Austin champs and many other British military vehicles.
I want to up grade and fit proper Lucas Military direction indicator and stop tail lights to my Austin champ.

These are the same lights used on 101 Landrovers and Stalwarts

I had some new spare lights for the 101 Landrover and these were used to fix the corroded lights on the Stalwart and was able to swap and save enough light parts to get good serviceable lights for the stalwart.

These lights are water proof and also seal a big hole in the hull which the light pokes though.
The lens is a threaded glass arrangement and the threads are suppose to be sealed with silicone grease.
I tried to get some lights for the Austin Champ and couldnt find anything much locally , but could get them from the UK costing me over $1200.00 dollars
I found a answer.
The different coloured glass lens can be found locally at a reasonable price second hand .......so I purchased what I needed.
Able engineering in the UK ( 101 Landrover parts specialist )make a stainless steel replacement threaded lens housing to replace the normally corroded steel items.
AJ in Melbourne imports and sells these.( they are beautifully made and worth the money.).....I purchased what I need and some spares for the Stalwart.
In fact these are perfect for the stalwart because of the strength and non corrosion.( the stalwart lights are already fixed and not much point in disturbing them now to fit the stainless items)
The problem was then the main globe housing and body which I have not been able to find locally.
I just happened to be stripping the lights and goodies off an old series three military Landrover and noticed the dashboard map light metal globe base has the same bolt pattern needed for the threaded housings and lens, and its a water proof set up to as well as being well made.
These lights are used for number plate, dashboard map lights and rear diff convoy lights on military Landrovers used in Australia and can be found second hand.
These steel bodies screw up to able Engineering stainless steel thread housing perfectly and take care of the direction indicator lights, but only a 10 watt globe can be used....but not a problem in use.
Stop tail is a bit harder.
instead of BA15S .......BA15D is needed.....ie double contact and two wires.
I found some normal civie BA15 D stop /tail light globe sockets and ground them down until I had nothing but the socket its self.
A earth wire is soldered on and it can be fitted with a little bit of modification to everything. and then fitted them to the map light steel body..........normal stop tail globe and every thing looks original and is quailty and water proof.
See the photos.

[101 Ron]

Some more pictures.

[101 Ron]

I managed to get just a little bit more done.

Working on the rust holes RHS forward part of the cargo area.

I clean up the rust around the area, then use the hole to mark a piece of steel I want to weld in.

I then cut out the steel plate to the shape needed.

Then a magnet is used to hold it in place inside the hole.

The new plate is welded in.
I also weld the other side of the plate.

Due to the lack of room and small size of the welded in filler plate, the welds are not ground back, but cut back with a small air die grinder tool fitted with a Tunsten cutter.

I end up with relatively flat surface showing little signs of a repair.

This machine in the past has seen many plates just welded over the top , like near the hinge bracket.

The small plates near the hinge bracket was removed showing the rust hole behind it.
My way is extremely slow, and required a lot of hand fitting and shaping of the surface with the tungsten cutter.
You wouldnt pay any one to do it my way.
The last of the pictures show a metal plate under the cargo area removed and the original hull plate rust holes and then a patch which has been welded over the top.
This is in fact water proof, I could leave it, but it is all so a rust and water trap which will cause long term problems besides looking unsightly .

[Mark_E]

Ron
Since Lockdown hit the UK in 2020, I've been researching and gathering MOD workshop manuals and User guides on the Alvis Stalwart.

All the MOD files that I've found have been declassified, and are on the HMLC group on Facebook. Alvis HMLC 6 x 6 Stalwart Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/alvis.hmlc.6.x.6.stalwart.group)

I've also shared the MOD files on a dedicated free website - at Alvis Stalwart Files (https://sites.google.com/view/alvis-stalwart-hmlc-files/)

It's all free to download, and watermarked to stop people selling them on eBay.

[101 Ron]

Ron
Since Lockdown hit the UK in 2020, I've been researching and gathering MOD workshop manuals and User guides on the Alvis Stalwart.

All the MOD files that I've found have been declassified, and are on the HMLC group on Facebook. Alvis HMLC 6 x 6 Stalwart Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/alvis.hmlc.6.x.6.stalwart.group)

I've also shared the MOD files on a dedicated free website - at Alvis Stalwart Files (https://sites.google.com/view/alvis-stalwart-hmlc-files/)

It's all free to download, and watermarked to stop people selling them on eBay.


This fantastic, as I don't do facebook......thank you thank you.
I had alot of information listed, but not all of it.
In the section for vehicle mods...........I finally learnt what a square/ triangular rubber flap is for attached to the cabin RHS air ducting is for...................to stop the light from the dashboard reflecting back at the driver from the side windows at night.
Still little progress lwith the stalwart as I keep getting side tracked on other projects.
I took the big beast for a short run the other day,just to.keep fluids where they should be and the seals lubricated.
I always gets attention were ever it goes and a group of people asking what it is.
The vehicle being stored out side in the weather is knocking around the paint work and things like.wiper blades.
The straight 8 version of the B series Rolls motor.is far better than the 4 cylinder version used in the Austin champ I am spending much time driving lately.
The 4 cyl feels strangled and rough.to the 8 cyl.
The Stalwart will rev on the governor all day....the champ.will not.
The champ is happy idling at 500.rpm..........the Stalwart .idles at 300 rpm cold.

[101 Ron]

This is a you tube link to a early MK 1 model
The video shows the noise inside the cabin of these things and gives idea of the smooth ride , but with some pitching due to the 10ft wheel base.
1963 ALVIS STALWART - YouTube (https://youtu.be/nhVWFL7qYac)

[101 Ron]

Still not much going on.
Just a little bit more cutting out and fitting in a new plate.

Still too many projects going on and not enough time.
Ron

[101 Ron]

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.

[101 Ron]

Checkout this you tube.

It shows some old footage of stalwarts and how they were meant to be used .

Alvis Stalwart - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsGUozrbFOE&t=396s)

The war in Ukraine is a tragedy for everyone.

I do notice some interesting things.

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.

[101 Ron]

Another Youtube link.

This does show some drive line detail of a Mk1 Stalwart.
Alvis Stalwart Restoration Project, Part 1. - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uURZAYzlXpg)

Ron

[Disco-tastic]

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.

Cheers

Dan