I'd imagine there are some old Army lads having flashbacks watching this and reminiscing about changing an engine outside in a German Winter whilst suffering from the really bad hangover.
My later father had a lot to do with Centurion, Chieftain and later Challenger at ROF Barnbow, Leeds England. He would have been thrilled to see the great work being done to keep these AFV alive. Well done guys.
I`ve recently lost an old friend I befriended in Wigan. Joe Gaskell (94). He survived three bouts of different cancers. Ex REME, he was involved with the developement and design of the Centurion turret. He used pure maths to predict what weight was needed to balance the gun correctly. He would have LOVED this stuff.
Tight... Like a tight thing. Ahaha keep these videos coming, they are very entertaining as someone who knows a lot about tanks and at the same time doesn't know anything about their internals. Good stuff Joe!
If you ever come across any parts, especially generators, alternators, starters, mags etc that have ‘Maggies Millions’ written on them, possibly visible through the paint. It means I had my mits on them and was in my ‘have a go at Maggie Thatcher’ period of life…
Just one small pick, a pity the underside of the generator was a tad rust stained as were its hold down straps, I would had done those to prevent further rust staining on such a valuable engine. Don’t mind me, I am a tad picky on fit and finish in places out of sight. Apart from that little moan, fantastic job guys, girl and wolf hound. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 🛠👍😁🇦🇺🦘
Briefly served as gunner on 🇨🇦Mk 11 W Germany mid 70s. Biggest thing I remember was they were a labour of love (emphasis on labour). Much easier on Leo C1 we got few years later.
Brilliant video as always! Maybe upgrade the lifting gear/chains sometime, so Jack won't be killed 🤗 Thnx for sharing this video and hope to see more soon 🤠
just been lifting some heavy gear myself, i added a secondary set of chains, nothing more embarrassing than a chain saying goodbye, i'm not playing, with secondary set in place, i can always say, i was expecting that to happen, i planned for that hehe
We had those in my battalion when i served in early 1980s, cold morning start it would sputter like an angry monster, absolutely terrifying 😆2/1 LG. Denmark.
Really great to watch as always Joe, were you in the Army or have you just picked these incredible skills up through life? I have an old MX-5 that I spanner on at weekends but tanks are real big boys toys and I would not know where to start so watching you guys is always amazing.
Gotta respect a tank engine that still runs on danger juice. If the Ford GAA was NASCAR, the Meteor is Le Mans. Nothing wrong with a GAA, I love them, but man there's something special aboot a Meteor. BRAP BRAP for days.
nice job - alternator refit looks like a fun job - in that Army don't they normally have a specially designed 'fat git' to stand on the alternator to stretch the rubber band while a small person refits the clamps hehe, that's what we used to have but it does always beg the question, in a theatre of war, how quick these jobs get done, or is it a hold on chaps the wagon wheels aren't working, hold the war until its fixed! real nice job on the repaint and tidy up of the engine bay, Jack done good, Joe's OK but don't tell him
Well, I would ram it in there half assembled under fire, or if it was raining hard. Gotta have a fitter team with a big bloke and tiny bloke. The wife can fit the oil feed pipe banjo-bolt on a duetz air cooled engine with ease. Saves at least ten minutes :D
It looks like a typical British product - no thought for the poor bastards who have to maintain it. That's what let them down in North Africa - tanks that broke down too easy and then too hard to fix. However, the Australian Army operated Centurians for years and when on exercises, practiced doing major repairs in the field, so with training and experience it can't have been too bad. Where there is the will there is a way.
@@keithammleter3824 indeed - where there's a will there's a way - and that way is normally use a bigger hammer or spanner on the new recruit haha if it moves salute it, if it doesn't, paint it, i think that's right isn't it
At 3:59 , was that second alignment peg supposed to fit in the mounting bracket? I can say this becuase the avre's range isn't even to your neighbors house
Quick question did the earlier Centurions have an Austin 7 sidevalve engine as a donkey engine for battery charging and aux power? IRC reading that somewhere as part of the plan to make them a self contained fighting unit.
Yes it should have a little auxillery generator. It was an old side valved engine and mostly used to keep the tank powered (lights, radios) when stationary without needing to run the main engine.
When I served on these back in the 80s, if the engine blew which was very rare, they had to go back to base workshops, they only did g/box lifts in the field.
This might sound like a stupid question but I hope someone could humor me But Is it possible to just remake the missing parts with 3D Printer rather than searching for the original parts? Because I've seen some people use 3D printers to make engine parts and even rockets and they seemed to work quite well.
Every time I see an AVRE I remember the three days spent waiting in field workshops while they swapped the seized engine. The engine-clutch-gearbox alignment was off causing the engine oil seal to fail and lose all of its oil into the engine bay.
.. bit concerned that you keep having to ask your pooch for advice. Also (it's strange how these things pop into your head) I just remembered that the gearbox is made by Merritt & Brown and the clutch is a Borg & Beck triple-plate dry.
One of our customers was Mr Casagranda and he was a nice chap. He bought my universal heat exchangers for his cranes. Anyhoo, he stopped buying because he committed suicide because a load dropped on a worker. Lifting big stuff is scary 😦
@@just_me1232 prolly the fact that cars don't weight 40tons+ and need as much maintenance. Sometimes you need an entire crew to help you do some stuff, can't be in many places at once.
@@LostCauseRT true, I don't doubt that it is harder and more stressful that a regular car mechanic, but as a young person who's quite enthusiastic about tanks and armoured vehicles this seems like a very enjoyable job to wake up to in the morning, alot more so than my current part time job lol
I have no idea how young guys like you know how to work on these tanks and how you can afford the expense at your ages. I know enough that it takes tons of cash and service and industry connections to do it. This is not a criticism.
@@MrHewes Hats off to you for following your dreams and making a living at it. Too many people waste their time on self-destructive or unproductive pursuits.
Did you know generator pulley is split? To loosen belt, loosen bolts in pulley hub. This allows pulley halves to separate and belt can fit deeper into groove.
Is it only me or anybody else noticed Jack's hat at 17 seconds saying P**n Hub?
Legend!!!
lol , one of Fitter Mat's merch items is a tank hub sticker ( in the correct font )
Go back and look at earlier videos 🤣..... also see the merch shop!
I'd imagine there are some old Army lads having flashbacks watching this and reminiscing about changing an engine outside in a German Winter whilst suffering from the really bad hangover.
My later father had a lot to do with Centurion, Chieftain and later Challenger at ROF Barnbow, Leeds England. He would have been thrilled to see the great work being done to keep these AFV alive. Well done guys.
Great work guys, I also like Ted a lot. What a dog 😍
I`ve recently lost an old friend I befriended in Wigan. Joe Gaskell (94). He survived three bouts of different cancers. Ex REME, he was involved with the developement and design of the Centurion turret. He used pure maths to predict what weight was needed to balance the gun correctly. He would have LOVED this stuff.
Good stuff! Keep the projects coming these are addicting to watch!
More to come!
I really like these Videos, keep em coming.
Thanks, will do!
If I was ever in the position to be able to afford and justify owning a tank it would be a Centurion because I love the sound of the Meteor engine.
Reliable as well I think? I’m not 100% on that though :o) but on average it seems reliable :D
Tight... Like a tight thing.
Ahaha keep these videos coming, they are very entertaining as someone who knows a lot about tanks and at the same time doesn't know anything about their internals. Good stuff Joe!
If you ever come across any parts, especially generators, alternators, starters, mags etc that have ‘Maggies Millions’ written on them, possibly visible through the paint. It means I had my mits on them and was in my ‘have a go at Maggie Thatcher’ period of life…
Il check every one from now on!
This fills me with real joy.
well done boys it looking great
Just one small pick, a pity the underside of the generator was a tad rust stained as were its hold down straps, I would had done those to prevent further rust staining on such a valuable engine. Don’t mind me, I am a tad picky on fit and finish in places out of sight. Apart from that little moan, fantastic job guys, girl and wolf hound. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 🛠👍😁🇦🇺🦘
Briefly served as gunner on 🇨🇦Mk 11 W Germany mid 70s. Biggest thing I remember was they were a labour of love (emphasis on labour). Much easier on Leo C1 we got few years later.
Love the Centurion tank, happened to just find this channel, very cool content!
Brilliant video as always! Maybe upgrade the lifting gear/chains sometime, so Jack won't be killed 🤗 Thnx for sharing this video and hope to see more soon 🤠
just been lifting some heavy gear myself, i added a secondary set of chains, nothing more embarrassing than a chain saying goodbye, i'm not playing, with secondary set in place, i can always say, i was expecting that to happen, i planned for that hehe
I second this, some proper lifting arrangements, while costly, may save life and limb in the future! Don't want to see you guys get hurt 😉
be pretty boss if you guys found a King Tiger to restore! maybe there is one in the bottom of a lake somewhere lol
Thanks for no dance party music. Good work too.
boes 802 / 302 - classic, oh and a centurian -good effort
Awesome work 👍
AWESOME doggo 🐕🤘
some guy be like , ahh mate i can make that fit into my miata xD
nice work guys !
We had those in my battalion when i served in early 1980s, cold morning start it would sputter like an angry monster, absolutely terrifying 😆2/1 LG. Denmark.
That generator belt is four months younger than I am XD
Hard working lads keep it up boys
Bloody notifications..... How to refresh my subscription more top content 😎👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Really great to watch as always Joe, were you in the Army or have you just picked these incredible skills up through life? I have an old MX-5 that I spanner on at weekends but tanks are real big boys toys and I would not know where to start so watching you guys is always amazing.
I’m a farmers Son! Never had anything to do with the Army 🤣 cheers bud
class video love watching these
as tight as a tight thing, class
Gotta respect a tank engine that still runs on danger juice. If the Ford GAA was NASCAR, the Meteor is Le Mans. Nothing wrong with a GAA, I love them, but man there's something special aboot a Meteor. BRAP BRAP for days.
nice job - alternator refit looks like a fun job - in that Army don't they normally have a specially designed 'fat git' to stand on the alternator to stretch the rubber band while a small person refits the clamps hehe, that's what we used to have
but it does always beg the question, in a theatre of war, how quick these jobs get done, or is it a hold on chaps the wagon wheels aren't working, hold the war until its fixed!
real nice job on the repaint and tidy up of the engine bay, Jack done good, Joe's OK but don't tell him
Well, I would ram it in there half assembled under fire, or if it was raining hard. Gotta have a fitter team with a big bloke and tiny bloke. The wife can fit the oil feed pipe banjo-bolt on a duetz air cooled engine with ease. Saves at least ten minutes :D
It looks like a typical British product - no thought for the poor bastards who have to maintain it. That's what let them down in North Africa - tanks that broke down too easy and then too hard to fix. However, the Australian Army operated Centurians for years and when on exercises, practiced doing major repairs in the field, so with training and experience it can't have been too bad. Where there is the will there is a way.
@@keithammleter3824 indeed - where there's a will there's a way - and that way is normally use a bigger hammer or spanner on the new recruit haha
if it moves salute it, if it doesn't, paint it, i think that's right isn't it
excellent video
Errr ... did you remember to bolt the actual engine into those mounts lads?
Just asking for Matt .. 😂😂
Bloody fine looking bit of kit now mind.
Don't forget when you refit the clutch and gearbox that correct alignment (wirt shims) is critical! The engine seal won't last long if it isn't.
At 3:59 , was that second alignment peg supposed to fit in the mounting bracket? I can say this becuase the avre's range isn't even to your neighbors house
Quick question did the earlier Centurions have an Austin 7 sidevalve engine as a donkey engine for battery charging and aux power? IRC reading that somewhere as part of the plan to make them a self contained fighting unit.
Sure did!
Yes it should have a little auxillery generator. It was an old side valved engine and mostly used to keep the tank powered (lights, radios) when stationary without needing to run the main engine.
Great video 👍
Thanks 👍
@MrHewes no worries keep them coming where is jack from he looks so familiar?
wonder what was the book time and then real-time to refit an engine while in the field
Maybe 3 days
@@MrHewes is this before the time of what would be called a power pack?
When I served on these back in the 80s, if the engine blew which was very rare, they had to go back to base workshops, they only did g/box lifts in the field.
tanks guys great vid as always
Great content.
Crescent wrench? If your a good mechanic, it's fine!
This might sound like a stupid question but I hope someone could humor me
But Is it possible to just remake the missing parts with 3D Printer rather than searching for the original parts?
Because I've seen some people use 3D printers to make engine parts and even rockets and they seemed to work quite well.
Anytime i see the Centurion AVRE, all i see is War Thunder, such a lovely tank.
Surprised there aren't Sponsors from the company for this
I best email them
Every time I see an AVRE I remember the three days spent waiting in field workshops while they swapped the seized engine. The engine-clutch-gearbox alignment was off causing the engine oil seal to fail and lose all of its oil into the engine bay.
Does this AVRE still have its dozer blade, fascine cradle and turret basket?
Tight as a....tight thing. Nice
.. bit concerned that you keep having to ask your pooch for advice. Also (it's strange how these things pop into your head) I just remembered that the gearbox is made by Merritt & Brown and the clutch is a Borg & Beck triple-plate dry.
You can't fix kit like that without a dog present. It's just the way it is.
Any merchandise planned in a future?
What paint are you using for the grey/silver metal please
It's a pity the AVRE hasn't got its dozer blade and facine cradle still fitted.
Drop it on your mate, it won’t get damaged 😉.
One of our customers was Mr Casagranda and he was a nice chap. He bought my universal heat exchangers for his cranes. Anyhoo, he stopped buying because he committed suicide because a load dropped on a worker. Lifting big stuff is scary 😦
It is a dangerous Job. But we try and be as safe as possible
"I wonder how much I am valued at work?" -boss "about £15 to £20k mate" 😂😂😂 what a fantastic job ✌️
wish i could do this sort of thing for a living
It’s more stressful than you might think
@@MrHewes I thought it would just be like a car mechanic, but working on much cooler stuff. What makes it so stressful??
@@just_me1232 prolly the fact that cars don't weight 40tons+ and need as much maintenance. Sometimes you need an entire crew to help you do some stuff, can't be in many places at once.
@@LostCauseRT true, I don't doubt that it is harder and more stressful that a regular car mechanic, but as a young person who's quite enthusiastic about tanks and armoured vehicles this seems like a very enjoyable job to wake up to in the morning, alot more so than my current part time job lol
I must admit I was wincing a bit when jack was in the engine bay with that big lump swaying about above him. 😲
Me too
AVRE with Hush Puppies any History with Centurion
jack u got some balls there mate standing under that motor
Go buy some Knipex 10" pilers wrench, you won't regret it...
Why are many British AFVs painted that same blue/green colour please?
Standard MOD duck egg blue
Always have an apprentice beneath the engine when lifting 👍 incase of hydraulic/strap failure .🤕🤪🤣
Serious for a change!, no faffing about? What's going on guys!. 🤣 Nah, nice one!. Nuff said!.
I didn’t know you could hoist a tank engine with a g-string
Depends how gurthy the G-string is I suppose, I know a few women who would need a heavy duty sling for underwear
4:49 That is one military grade plastic bag.
Would have been easier if you could have just called REME xD
I want it to work tho
@@MrHewes xD
wait....wait....wait chill thats a t-34-85 in the back ????
I have no idea how young guys like you know how to work on these tanks and how you can afford the expense at your ages. I know enough that it takes tons of cash and service and industry connections to do it. This is not a criticism.
I don’t drink don’t smoke don’t go out. Spend noting on clothes 🤣 worked every day since I was 13. Bought and sold vehicles the whole time.
@@MrHewes Hats off to you for following your dreams and making a living at it. Too many people waste their time on self-destructive or unproductive pursuits.
Did you know generator pulley is split? To loosen belt, loosen bolts in pulley hub. This allows pulley halves to separate and belt can fit deeper into groove.
video 👌🏿
If you find a 10mm socket it’s mine.🤣🤣
No metric threads on a centurion
Delicious
When this thing is finished, It definitely is gonna have a purpose for whats happening in ukraine...
It will absolutely not be going to Ukraine! I will not get involved with war. Also the gun is deactivated so would be totally useless
guys cap at 0:17☠
Poor Jack is worth less than 20k
Lift your game lads.
Being in there under the engine is just stupid.
I served in Germany in the 80s on exercise with the Dane’s in there cents all metal tracks and mixed sex crews yes Dane’s are blondes yahoo
send to ukraine
Ted hub
If you drop the engine it’s because the rigger did a shit job hooking it up
We used to lift them by the lugs next to the engine mounts thats what they were designed for