The conservation work on the Sd.Kfz.222 4.Serie is now drawing to a close. The last 3 hubs are all that is left to be cleared of the post war paint. The next stage will begin next week which includes the use of rust removal gel which will enhance any remaining paint while removing all rust. This will then will be washed off and the conserved sections will then be sealed with a clear matt spray that will block the return of the rust. Once this is completed we will start the process of reassembly. Ordering the bearings required for the wheel stations will be undertaken next week.
Straps for both the Sd.Kfz.223 3 and 4.Serie radios are currently being sourced. Many of the original components have been secured. Authentic strapping has also been sourced to remedy any shortfall.
The angled steering hub for the Sd.Kfz.223 4.Serie has now been assembled and fitted to the steering column. The steering arm at the base of the column has been taken for re machining by our gear cutting specialists. The tapered spline insert had been inserted incorrectly at some point after the war and had to be reversed in line with the other two Ausf.A chassis in the collection.
Original and correct oil filter brackets have now replaced the replica examples on the Sd.Kfz.222 4.Serie 3.5 litre V8 engine.
The Jagdpanther gearbox has been collected from the paint stripping firm and will start to be disassembled from Monday. This process is to record the internals by means of CAD drawings and photographs of all of the gears. This is to allow another gearbox of ours to be completed as it is missing 30% plus of its components.
