PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED RESTORATIONS
We have worked on numerous different projects over the years. Here are some of our favourites.
More photos and detail of the restoration journey of these, plus our other restorations can be found on both our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Vickers Light Tank MkIV
T-1344 arrived in December 2016 for a nut & bolt rebuild to running/driving condition ready for Tankfest 2017. This restoration earned us the MILWEB award at the War & Peace Revival 2017 for the "Most Outstanding Military Vehicle". The finished vehicle can be seen on display at The Tank Museum, Bovington, where it's now their oldest, running tracked armour. This is the only example of the Vickers Light MkIV in the world.
Build Year: 1935
Country of Origin: Great Britain
No. Produced: 1,682
Engine: Meadows 6-Cylinder
Weight: 3.3 tonnes
Crew: 2
Restoration Hours: 1,818
M24 Chaffee Light Tank
"Hemlock III" was first to arrive in our workshop and Phase One of the restoration was completed in March 2019. It returned to us in Summer-2021 for Phase Two of the restoration, to add the finishing touches. Now complete, the finished vehicle has returned to be on display at the Tank Museum, Bovington.
Build Year: 1944
Country of Origin: USA
No. Produced: 4,731
Engine: Twin Cadillac, Series 44T24
Weight: 18.4 tonnes
Crew: 5
Restoration Hours: 6,192
Stuart M3A1 Light Tank
Previously fully restored by Gavin Barlow at RR Motor Services in 2015, "Clementine" is one of a few completely operational Stuart's in the world. It arrived in early October 2017 for minor repairs, a re-spray, fitment of new parts and conversion of the guns to simulate firing. This is now a regular display vehicle at The Tank Museum, Bovington.
Build Year: 1942
Country of Origin: USA
No. Produced: 22,744
Engine: Air-Cooled Radial
Weight: 15.2 tonnes
Crew: 4
Restoration Hours: 1,025
Centaur III
Part of The Bannister Collection, "Sadie" arrived with us in early-2022 with a running fault and requiring some TLC after spending many years in storage after appearing in Band of Brothers. Phase One of the restoration was to get her running and driving safely and cosmetically look nice from the outside to allow display at Tank Museum events in 2023-4. Event usage of the vehicle will give us a deeper understanding of the tasks required during her full restoration after XXX Corp Rally 2024.
Build Year: 1943
Country of Origin: Great Britain
No. Produced: Unknown
Engine: Liberty V12
Weight (Loaded): 24 tonnes
Crew: 5
Restoration Hours: 2,467
25Pr Field Gun
This field gun came in for a full overhaul, so the owner could fire it at the Combined Ops Show 2018. It was successfully displayed on both show days firing 14 blank rounds over the weekend alone. This restored gun helped the FRS Collection to earn "Best In Show" at the Combined Ops Show 2018. This now resides within a private collection in Kent.
Build Year: 1941
Country of Origin: Great Britain
No. Produced: Unknown
Firing Range: 12,253 metres
Crew: 6
Restoration Hours: 224
M8 Greyhound
"Betty" arrived with us for a service and inspection, and for a conversion to British-spec. Inspection found issues with the brakes that have now been resolved to allow for safe road use.
Build Year: 1943
Country of Origin: USA
No. Produced: 8,523
Engine: Hercules JXD 6-Cylinder
Weight: 7.8 tonnes
Crew: 4
Restoration Hours: 438
Sherman M4A4
This rare Sherman "Belle" has been added to our portfolio by a regular customer. After recently rebuilding the Chrylser Multibank engine and gearbox, it attended the XXX Corps Operation Market Garden rally in September 2019. Following the end of the rally, it returned to our workshop for finishing touches and to carry out some engine repairs before returning to it's owner. It attended the Silverstone Grand Prix in 2022 as a Murray Walker tribute and has recently returned to us for a full service and minor repairs ahead of XXX Corps rally in 2024. After the rally, it will return to be on display at the Tank Museum, Bovington.
Build Year: 1943
Country of Origin: USA
No. Produced: 7,499
Engine: Chrysler A57 Multibank
Weight: 31 tonnes
Crew: 5
Restoration Hours: 5,042
Armoured Train Wagon, Replica
We have been tasked with the research, development and build of a new replica armoured train wagon for our local miniature railway - the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. It was built in 1939 in readiness for a potential invasion during WW2. We have spent many hours sourcing original photos and stories to build a full picture of exactly what it should look and function like. This has enabled us to create a full 3D model using CAD, along with a set of technical drawings. The RH&DR Association are currently awaiting funding, before we can continue this project in the near future.
CVR(T) Sabre
Completed as an in-house project, this has recently undergone a mechanical overhaul to resolve any issues before an external respray. It has been fitted with our unique gas gun simulator systems to both the RARDEN & Chaingun replicas, allowing the gunner to fire both guns using the original controls. It's UK road registered, so it's great for nipping to the shops or completing the odd Prom run!. If you're interested in fitting gas guns to yours, please get in touch!
Build Year: 1995
Country of Origin: Great Britain
No. Produced: Unknown
Engine: Jaguar J60k
Weight: 8.1 tonnes
Crew: 3
Restoration Hours: 510
Scammell Pioneer
A personal project, in tribute to the founding of REME during WW2, this Tonka toy of a truck had a cosmetic restoration alongside a few repairs in preparation to attend the London Cart Marking Ceremony in July 2023. We plan to address any rot on the wooden panels over the winter and give the recovery gear an overhaul, ready to attend in support at the XXX Corps rally in 2024.
Build Year: 1943
Country of Origin: Great Britain
No. Produced: 3,414
Engine: Gardner 6LW 8.4L Diesel
Weight: 8.5 tonnes
Crew: 3
Restoration Hours: 431
Cadillac V8s
We had in a pair of Cadillac V8s to overhaul and restore to show-room condition. Once installed by the customer to his Chaffee, we will attend to tune these in to operate in sync with the rest of the drive system.
Build Year: 1942
Country of Origin: USA
No. Produced: Unknown
Engine: V8 Petrol
Restoration Hours: 274 (Pair)
