An Update from Patreon Funded Workshop Apprentice Aaron (Patreon)

Hello Patrons,

I hope everyone is well at this strange time and not losing their marbles. Luckily for me and the Workshop team, we have been able to return to work part-time in split shifts to get some of our projects on the move again. As a result, here is a quick update on what I have been up to lately.

Currently in the Workshop I have been moved to the Running Fleet to work on the more modern vehicles in The Tank Museum’s collection. When I say modern I mean vehicles ranging from the 1960s, up to the 1980s and 1990s.

This move is giving me a bigger range and variety of vehicles and problems to work on, which has been a nice change of pace from Historic Fleet, which of course I still love to work on when help is needed.

Recently I have been working on a Cougar AVGP, a Canadian 6 wheeled armoured vehicle. Here I have carried out a full service and worked through the faults listed on the Museum’s vehicle database, which we use to record any issues that develop on the Museum's running vehicles.

Luckily for me not too many faults were present on the Cougar. I just had to find a fuel leak, which was quickly spotted coming from the fuel return pipe. This pipe was also a quick release pipe, but despite its name I found it is ‘not so quick release’ due to the angle of the pipe. It had also been on the vehicle for so long that the release mechanism was seized. However, these challenges are part of the job when working on such vehicles.

Other jobs I have carried out on the Cougar have been mostly straight forward. Faulty oil pressure gauges were found, along with a faulty fuel gauge. I also carried out an overall safety inspection on the vehicle ready for the display season hopefully ahead.

An additional aspect which has been nice with my move to the Running Fleet is getting to learn more about the vehicles. Previously I have not had the time to have an in-depth look at many of them and the manuals have already taught me a lot more on the operational and mechanical side of things than I knew before. Additionally, taking an engine out of, let’s say an M548 or a Leopard, is a lot easier and less stressful then a Centurion or Matilda A12! So that’s a plus as well.

Recently I have also been lucky enough to have my first drive in a Scorpion, which was a welcome surprise! It’s great to get the practice in before the display season comes about. 

My last update is regarding my Land Rover. Progress has been slow, but I have been buying all the parts and tools I need to make sure I can make some good progress this year. Hopefully by my next update I can show some more pictures of her.

Thanks for all your support,

Aaron