WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: Fitting wheels and track to the WW2 Grant Tank

[@herbemont7627]

Hate to say this gentlemen, but I think you installed the outboard seals backwards on the bottom rollers. I noticed it when your man said "Americans used double seals, I don't know why" the reason is the inboard seal, with the spring facing in, is meant to hold the grease in, the outer seal is supposed to have the spring facing out, to hold out dirt and debris. If debris would push against the seal, the seal would roll in and allow the cavity to be contaminated. I've been a heavy equipment mechanic in the states for about 30 years, and that practice is still used today. Double check this, I've never worked on an 80 year old tank, but I've seen it quite a lot in the construction and mining industry, love your channel, not trying to be "that guy" who nit-picks everything.

[@TheKRU251]

Quote at 23:35. "2023 has been an extraordinary year and we have loved having you along for the ride". Wow, I missed that year completely ! Have a fantastic break guys. Looking forward to 2023............

[@jmoss10403]

Yeah that kind of threw me off. I had to look at my dates to make sure I wasn't a whole year off.

[@rolanddring-sandberg4432]

That was a quick one 😂

[@Vuk_Stajic]

Replayed it to made sure I heard it correct, came to leave the comment. LOL. Great year AusArmour!

[@darryl3392]

Holiday mode engaged. Lemon squash in stubby coolers, BBQ’s and the great northern on tap

[@davidusi27]

you must mean, Looking forward to 2024!

[@jeremyweaver9598]

I'm a retired US Army tank crewman, and this particular video brought back lots of memories, both pleasant and unpleasant. Thanks to you guys for your efforts in preserving history, and documenting your journey!

[@petesheppard1709]

I just bet; even though it's all on nice, clean concrete 😎

[@parker1ray]

I have been a lover of everything tank all my life. I have always been a mechanic and secretly yearned to be able to do what you guys do! I am now 60 heading to 70 and watch these videos and live vicariously through them!

[@NS-hs6lt]

You could always see if there is some restoration project for a local museum. I have seen even war birds needing volunteers with mechanical inclinations or if privately owned maybe a bit of pay. Even if you can’t do too much physical, mechanical skills are always needed.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

Watching the series makes me realize just how sophisticated these vehicles really were. Regardless of the country a lot of thought goes into making these things I suppose a real unsung heroes here are the engineers.

[@pierregrosjean3241]

et surtout dans des délais très courts ! Concevoir et mise en fabrication d'une automobile c'est 4, 5 ans mini .... La Jeep en moins de 6 mois ..

[@dukeallen432]

Theses tanks are basic.

[@pierregrosjean3241]

@@dukeallen432 Pas en 1941

[@waynewatson8036]

It's a shame people don't put as much time, money and effort into not killing each other. But as most improvements in almost every area of industry, engineering, electrical innovation and medicine are driven by warfare, I guess it's the price we have to pay.

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

Completely agree, despite it being a 'basic tank'. Even 'basic' requires more than just a few tools and a dream. I think about all past and current military hardware, and now software, that require a high level of understanding and experience. You don't produce these in your backyard.

[@markmclaughlin2690]

As a former Tanker on M60A3 and M1 series it is crazy to see how somethings haven’t changed much. Track jacks and replacing tracks. As the old saying goes, “when in doubt get a bigger hammer”.

[@jamesthornton9399]

Not necessarily ly. !!!!!!!

[@willierants5880]

This Grant is going to be such a beauty. Can't wait to see the rest of her come together, inside and out! I haven't forgotten this will be a restore with full interior. I think she's stacking up to be a crown jewel.

[@leonardusgroenendyk6027]

Was having my last chemotherapy for 2022 and this episode made the treatment go so much faster. And this treatment today was a rather brutally one. So thank you for a great series this year. Looking forward to 2023 and a few more years.

[@WirrBerrererer]

Loving the soothing surf sounds in the background...

[@tbrown7662]

As a former tank crewman, it brought back a lot of memories just watching the track work! It makes me wish we had a forklift available when we replaced track! I was on the M1IP and M1A1 Abrams...it hasn't gotten much easier over the decades since the Grant was the state of the art! Makes my back ache just watching it! 😄 Happy New Year to you all!!

[@polocathmhaoil9141]

I live in Ireland and look forward each and every week to my 'fix'. Can we see more of Lottie. I love just how easy she can explain the running of a tank engine.

[@garylawless3608]

Restoration of these iconic vehicles requires hot, heavy, and sometimes frustrating, hard work. These guys take it in their stride. True professionals!

[@moseshorowitz4345]

What a fun project! I'm envious of you.

[@lchris2703]

Amazing work! Its wonderful to see such a dedicated and talented team doing so much to preserve a piece of history for tank enthusiasts and history fans world wide. I wish we had an equivalent of such a organization here in the States. Sadly our military museum system is run by bean counters with no interest to mirror what you have in Australia or the Bovington Museum in England.

[@LukeBunyip]

As far as I understand, the AAAM is a private venture. There's the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, but the main armour collection held by the ADF is inaccessible on the Pukapunyal base in VIC.

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

What a way to end 2022..and what a journey it's been...she looks the biz...well done to all the guys working on the Grant.

[@garycharland3018]

What you guys, and gals, do there is just so special, so amazing. God bless all of you. Enjoy your break, and we'll see you on the other side.

[@jackn4853]

Happy New Year to everyone wherever you are. Extremely interesting and unmissable. This channel is exceptional in that it does not fall into the trap of dramatisation. The "will they get the tracks on before the Christmas break!!?" No we wont, so we'll do it after. Fantastic. Real life not the false reality of many other channels/programmes.

[@animenut69]

Reminds me of the elefant resto video where it didn't take long till it turned into modern artillery showoff

[@markwatters6875]

I know you Queenslanders run on a different time zone to the rest of Australia mate, but 12 months ahead! Thanks for the update. Enjoy your break and we’ll see you all in the new year 😂👍🇦🇺

[@diabolicalartificer]

0:32 that looks like proper beer, hope that didn't take too many takes : ) Hope you saved some for the lads, a well deserved pint all round for all your hard work, Slainte. Thanks for having us along, I've really enjoyed this year and look forward to Wednesdays. Thank you all.

[@alexandermccarthy]

What an incredible year for the entire AusArmour crew! Enjoy your very well deserved rest over the holiday break, and catch you in 2023!

[@danielt.3152]

This tank restoration series really drives home the true difficulty of maintaining tanks during real battlefield conditions, let’s face its hard to repair in a clean,dry and well supplied facility, I can’t even imagine the frustration and stress it would be like in places like Stalingrad, Kursk, Bastogne etc. the field crews must have literally frozen their hands off, and swore up and down in frustration. I can imagine that many threw their hands up and loaded the damaged tanks on rail cars headed home or cannabalized tanks to get one back in the fight. That necessitated stress levels beyond my ability to cope for sure, I would be way better off in a clean, warm, garage not getting artillery raining down on my head so I could think straight about the task at hand.

[@rrl4245]

Another fine day's work boys!

[@user-tl5fi9lz9z]

I'm coming to Australia next week specifically to see the Great Barrier Reef. The week after next I'll be in Cairns. My top priority there will be to see the museum. See you then!

[@johndavies6769]

I am a Brit living in County Durham, I’ve visited different museums including DLI museum ( now gone ) and the Imperial War Museum looking at Tanks and Armoured Vehicles gathering dust on display. You are not doing a restoration you are bringing the museum to life. Thankyou

[@Quensi130]

Been watching from the start of workshop Wednesdays and im enjoying seeing the editing and comedy of the videos change and adapt and seeing Kurt's style develop. Easily my favourite weekly series to keep up to date with and I can't wait for more!

[@mr.m2556]

Fantastic progress on the Grant this year lads. Looking forward to seeing it finished soon.

[@jamesneveaux4892]

Merry Christmas gentlemen, looking forward to 2023.

[@DavidCulshawmer-r]

this is addictive watching , when i get a notification on my phone at work i cant wait to get home and watch it on my computer 😊loving every minute of it 🤩, have a great new year and looking forward to the next instalment in 2023 👍

[@TaylorLiam87]

Have a wonderful break from the workshop! Love the content and hope to visit the museum in the coming Year! All the best

[@thomasweatherford5125]

I love that Daz rocks the shorts every day rain or shine. Great stuff as usual

[@russellhardy2211]

Finally a channel I can watch on repeat all the way through brilliant looking forward to more

[@neilfairless4589]

All the very best guy's, enjoy your well earned break, catch you in the new year.

[@michaelbentsen9869]

The track looked like a large armoured centipede crawling across the rollers. Another fine episode!!

[@eTraxx]

Interesting the differences and similarities between putting track on the Grant and the Abrams series of tanks. In 12 years I never had to put track on a tank without power from the tank. Great job guys.

[@DropbearWoodworks]

Have really enjoyed good Aussie content this year. I hope to make it up there and see the place for myself. Cheers fellas…so glad I found this channel this year.

[@krmould]

Merry Christmas to the whole Aus Armour team. You guys have earned your Christmas break. Head to the beach and crack a cold one!

[@NV..V]

@22:45 You mean 2022 has been a hell of a ride! Scared me for a moment. Another amazing video. Thank you for all that you and the team continue to do.

[@johnknapp952]

No, the International Date Line is also the International Year Line so they're about to roll into the year 2024 🙃🤔

[@claytonnans5639]

Happy New Year!!!! Thank you for letting us watch your work.

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

Impressive work guys! Very cool. The Grant never got my attention until now, seeing the work done is oddly satisfying. Looking forward to the finished product.

[@neilgibbs3880]

Thanks guys loving your work. Hope you’ve all had a Merry Christmas and here’s to a great New Year from all us Poms.

[@dbaider9467]

Thanks for all the really well produced videos this year. God Bless.

[@m1a1hm]

Outstanding work!!! Can't wait to see what comes next for the Grant.

[@TheStevenc819]

Really neat idea using the pallet jack to line up and install the track wheels. Simple but effective

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

I love You Guys! Always a smile- no matter what. You Aussies are the Best! It´s a crying shame I´ll probably never can come to visit- I live in Germany and just for the Tiger it would be worth it to go. You have such a good working environment- I´d be happy to broom the floor. Have an awsome new year!

[@1chish]

Don't you just LOVE engineering? Have a great 2023 and I hope you had a good Xmas break. You deserved it!

[@yattaran1484]

Awesome restoration work as always !. Thank you guys for showing us amazing works every Wednesday. Wish you all a Happy New Year from Japan !.😄👍

[@jameswalshjr]

I came for the metalworking and mechanical content and got hooked on the historical details. Great stuff, keep up the good work!

[@davepriddy9263]

Kudos to all of you who put in all your hard work and effort on keeping this armored history alive for everyone to enjoy!!!!

[@davidbutterfield2949]

Best wishes for the new year everyone. Bring on 2023 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@2islandresort757]

Many, many thanks for the excellent content during 2022. All the best for 2023!

[@jimhannegan9083]

I love your guys work. I’ve spent the better part of my life working on cars in America and then spending my time working on amusement park rides from all over the world. My life’s wish is I’d love to work for the Aus armor. It would cap everything I could say I can do. 🤞🏻👍🏼❤️keep at it boys. Inspiration is everything. You have me forever. See you after your well deserved break. Bo Dazz Jess Al and the rest merry Christmas and may you all have a Happy New Year.

[@danielflack7902]

Last night I watched a north Africa campaign doco and there was footage of two blokes pulling a new track on to a Grant tank. Great work guys.

[@rochelleparker9575]

Fantastic work Kurt and all the Boys and Girls. Steve.

[@Maiko100876]

Best show EVER! I can’t wait for 2023 projects.

[@kiereluurs1243]

'PERIOD!!' Void clichés.

[@peteslinn482]

Watching that track go on was just so satisfying - Good on ya, fellas :)

[@lechbieluczyk688]

Zycze Wam Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia.

[@bobbroadhurst1648]

It's great to watch the teamwork of the guys, with laughs thrown in as they toil away Have a good break guys, see ya in the new year

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Great progress this episode! I am always amazed by all of the creative ways a forklift and/or pallet jack can be used by the guys in the shop.

[@timcope6685]

Its been a wonderful journey so far , keep up the Awesome work gentleman and take a well deserved holiday break !!! Happy New Year to you all!!!!

[@tannerjones9687]

You guys were made for this 👍 Love the videos !!

[@stevefoster6299]

Forklifts are such versatile machines

[@philo6850]

It's so satisfying watching your hard work bring these iconic vehicles back to life; the quality of your videos is spectacular. Happy New Year!

[@claudehuberty3214]

super travail , un grand merci de tous les passionnés de chars , salutations amicales de Belgique .

[@tonymartin5444]

Just picked up this channel. Really brilliant! Reminds me to go visit Bovington again! My Dad was in REME in WW2, spending most of his war in Burma. Watching this channel gives me an insight into what he worked on and how… like how the hell do you get a track connected up! Thanks for helping me with my latter day education!

[@caliber_560]

I am so excited to see this finished

[@sandymackay4017]

Excellent vid by Expert Mechanics and Engineers. Looking forward to seeing it run. I was an Infantry FV 432 driver Germany early 70s. The tracks DO take some practice. Loved driving those things. Got to drive a Chieftain tank 2×. Mental.

[@brettsnell3369]

Excellent. Thanks for the year! I've thoroughly enjoyed all your content. I kick myself for not getting to Armourfest 2022. All that means is keener for next year! Best wishes to all the team, enjoy the break. I'm looking forward to see what's instore for 2023.

[@janpieterkraaijer7609]

My compliments for the achieved results so far and also a happy new year to the team of AA&A! Ever a joy to view on Wednesdays.

[@6060don]

Awesome to see the work being done. Merry Christmas. Looking forward to an interesting New Year!

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks team, I love workshop Wednesday and I managed to watch it without interruptions, Cheers

[@willianoliveira3794]

Amazing work!!! Congratulations from Brasil I Love Tanks !!! I hope one day can visit yours Museum!!! Thanks for share the amazing job!!!!

[@RiskyR]

Great episode as always. The somewhat weird but funny opening was a nice change as well! I'm amazed by the tight fitment of all those suspension parts. The machining of those parts is so precise, it's amazing that they could make parts that accurate back in the day!

[@Ronaldl2350]

Thanks for a great 2022. Look forward to next year! Happy New Year!

[@MrTallpoppy58]

You guys are brilliant. I'm in Brisbane and your museum in a bucket list item for me.

[@bgdavenport]

Your intro, Curt, was very clever! I'm looking forward to more cleverness from you as you do an outstanding job of chronicling and narrating these restorations! Happy New Year!

[@james.black981]

Monty Python and the "IT'S" man came to mind. Love it

[@jamienevill1768]

In that case, Happy New Year for 2024 lol Seriously, you've all done a fantastic job on all the restoration and preservation. Thanks.

[@georgeyerman6562]

Great work guys! I'm really enjoying this one! Great to see an M3 being brought back to life.

[@JimWattsHereNow]

Awesome work guys, really appreciate your effort in these. Have a cracker of a break, all the best to the team.

[@bmwoutlander]

A really fantastic journey!

[@mattjenkins7216]

Quickly becoming my current favorite video channel.

[@508Snipe]

Can't wait to see what 2023 brings into the workshop. Hopefully you lads get the current projects out on the show floor to be displayed and driven soon so the next tanks can be restored to their former glory

[@Will_CH1]

That second track was pushed into position very efficiently. I think that is a lesson to all tank restorers.

[@waynestarick5282]

Love the intro Kurt!!

[@MakTalMid]

Best start to anything ever! Oz Armour as the dawgs bollix! Just getting things done 35 degrees! Have a bit of a thing for Daryl and his powerful legs. Nothing bogey about these boyz!

[@martinbather4835]

Nice one fellas,see you All,next year.... Been a real pleasure watching you in '22........more so in '23.... Have a gud 'un for Yuletide & the New Year.. In Arduis Fidelis.

[@Solar2go]

I love your restoration work. Kudos to the beautiful video craftsmanship. Being in the video industry, I really appreciate the quality of your work. Also, I love your music selections. The piece you play as the videos close is fantastic! A perfect match to wrap up each segment. Music can make or break a production. You do some of the best work out there!

[@bradschwamberger1217]

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all of you.

[@joedunlea3755]

I laughed unreasonably hard at that introduction! Great work as always.

[@tonythorne4623]

You guys are brilliant can't wait until next year.

[@APHILLWAROFRIGHTS]

love you guys and your work! cant wait for when u guys work on the tiger to make it a runner!

[@utha2665]

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. Looking forward to the completion of this and the Stug III projects and many more.

[@raymondswarmer1433]

With the tracks on she’s beautiful!!!!! Wonderful work. I’ve been hooked watching your videos since I first found them. Enjoy a well deserved break, you have more than earned it. Happy Nee Year from Augusta, Georgia USA!

[@bruceinoz8002]

Amazing what you can do with a pallet-jack, a pot of grease and big hammer. Nice work, as always!

[@NSYresearch]

Thanks to all the teams who produce these amazing videos. As a military history nerd, wargamer and cavalry buff these videos tick all the boxes for me but what I wasn't expecting was how interested I became in the engineering too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@tinman7551]

Merry Christmas guys 🎉❤

[@enterthecarp7085]

Love this. Track shoes. Track tensioners.. grease guns and tanker bars. Y’all would be great in the field

[@vincentwesolowski459]

I wish my Dad was alive to watch these videos. He was in the Armored divisions in Europe during WWII.

[@norsehall309]

G'day boys, well done on the restoration so far, bloody hard yaka, next trip to Queensland I'm calling in for a look, cheers and have a wonderful time on leave, Neil 🤠.

[@SmedleyDouwright]

It seems that nothing is easy with old tanks. That just makes accomplishments that much sweeter I guess.

[@tsmgguy]

Americans were alone in the world at the time in using "live" track. This meant that each track pin was embedded in neoprene. The tracks were designed to tend to curl up on themselves. Because of this it took much less horsepower to move the vehicle. This meant better performance and fuel economy, and also longer lasting tracks. The Germans, in contrast, used solid steel track and pins in metal-to-metal contact which didn't last nearly as long in service.