WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: Greatest tank BARN FIND in Australia! PART IV

It happened a lot sooner than expected! Grant Tank restoration expert, Ron, completes a Patina Restoration (or Rust-oration) on one of the Grant Tanks Daz and Kurt found in Victoria during the greatest Barn Find of the Century.
This WWII Grant Tank is part of the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum's restoration program.
Follow the progress of our workshop restorations every Wednesday! A must watch for students of history, engineering, mechanics and metalworking! 🧐🛠️
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#restoration #tank #wwii

[@ConstantlyDamaged]

Rob sounds like a great Aussie. Working hard to make the country stronger _and_ protecting our heritage. Props to his family donating all this.

[@user-py6oc4jo6c]

Thanks also for putting up with his "hobby".--Bob Bailey in Maine, USA Proud my country supplied them to you in the War.

[@krourabdeghani7723]

⁶​@@user-py6oc4jo6c

[@emmasagarinodagno8820]

😅😅😮In 24:01

[@BhikaPatel-rt3ut]

​@@user-py6oc4jo6chi nahi hai to

[@robinkoenjer1030]

"I know alott of you guys might not like the rust look," i think i speak for many people here i when say that seeing a tank or vehicle like this one , it really shows the work that goes in to an full restauration and how lucky we all are that there are people like the Parker family, that see the value of these things and at the very least save them for when the right moment and team come allong to pick up where they left off!

[@isuzu6851]

also, there are so many restored ones. To see one still in its original condition personally appeals to me just as much, if not even more. Seeing one next to its restored sibling is amazing.

[@michaelguerin56]

Also … there is so much metal thickness that surface rust on the structure is less significant than on a car or truck😂!

[@demoisthe1st832]

I'm with the people you don't like the rust I think they look way better when they're fully restored doing this is just sad I wouldn't want to pay to see it

[@MrWolfSnack]

There are two stages of restoration - cosmetic and mechanical. If there is significant battle damage or the tank saw theater, you do not do a cosmetic restoration for obvious reasons - only a mechanical one. And a tank that's original and has history will always have 10 times more interest than one that does not. Also for people that whine and cry about rust - grow up and lose the ego. Everything you own and even your own body will age and "rust" and certainly nobody will come to your funeral either.

[@Ryleewubwub]

The rustier the better

[@tdb7992]

Dirk is awesome! What a great guy coming all the way to Australia to help. I really hope he enjoyed his time here and felt at home. I hope he didn't have any problems understanding that Far North Queensland accent! :)

[@CEngineering-pv8uw]

Have to be careful Dirk doesn't return to Germany with technology for a new series of Leopards.

[@roycarter6235]

Yair..................I also wonder how he managed. I'm sure the locals took him into their hearts and homes.

[@serioustrouble63]

My name is also Dirk, also Germany, also Bundeswehr, but Iltis (VW Jeep) driver. I quickly got used to the accent by watching a lot of vids from down under. One day I want to travel there... have to hurry up... already 60 now😅!

[@tdb7992]

@@serioustrouble63 you're more than welcome to come visit us! Happy to have you.

[@TheAukel]

Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch in Cairns und für die Zusammenarbeit mit dem Museum. Die Leidenschaft, diese Fahrzeuge zu restaurieren und zum Leben zu erwecken, überschreitet Grenzen. Was für eine wunderbare Art, einen Urlaub zu verbringen! 🇩🇪🤝🇦🇺

[@williammaxwell1919]

auf dass wir niemals vergessen mögen

[@fredfarnackle5455]

@@williammaxwell1919 Yes, may we never forget...

[@PeterDavid7KQ201]

@@williammaxwell1919 wow William Maxwell...that's my father's name 😧

[@johnanderson8166]

Let this serve as a reminder that we who forget the mistakes of the past, will be doomed to repeat them, keep up the restoration of these amazing reminders guys!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@samrodian919]

What a great guy is Ron! And sooo bloody knowledgeable about the Grant tanks.. the way he got that turret ring free was nothing less than astounding. Only a bloody lot of hard and work and backache gets you the experience to be able to free one like that. Good on yer Ron and good luck with the rest of the Grants you want to do. Not that you need luck, just plenty of dosh!

[@ianstewartbrown5308]

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear Ausarmourfest T''s and baseball caps!! Well done Ron

[@mattcarroll3469]

Dirk aswell

[@alexmitchellhmtv6850]

Amazing. I'm so pleased you did this. The contrast with this and the restored one shows how they look when first found and after a full restoration.

[@echohunter4199]

How wonderful!! As a Military Vehicle hobbyist (owning/restoring vintage military vehicles) seeing one of these in unrestored condition is a rare thing, this will also show what these vehicles were used for when they were sold as surplus, there’s all kinds of great stories about how the vehicle was discovered then it’s journey to restoration.

[@drbichat5229]

80 years old and still looks formidable. Thank you for keeping her alive

[@sneakyhydra3357]

Its a him... Look at the 3 foot long barrel... 🙂

[@jessicaregina1956]

Looks is all.😂

[@ray.shoesmith]

Well done Curtis. Whoever hired a social media manager did a great job.

[@AdamMann3D]

Right? Talk about above and beyond.

[@matthewwagg4030]

Ron is an absolute machine, ratrod grant looks amazing

[@robertmoyse4414]

Yes, ratrod! Or maybe that rusty Dalek on Dr Who.

[@madmick3794]

15:07 the rust look is fantastic and I am not bothered what they look like side by side, sure they will be an excellent pair. Great work as always.

[@Rogster559]

Nothing better watching people totally dedicated to restoring historical machinery, these people at Aus Armour both permanent and temporary are the best but Rob really stands out with his knowledge and experience in tank restoration , well done

[@carliv68]

Absolute surgeons in the restoration dept, bloody beautiful work every single one of you guys, dont stop.

[@briananderson5634]

Yay! It's Wednesday again. More great fun! Thanks guys!

[@CanOfRabbitHoles]

I love watching 2 talented craftsmen, an Australian and a German, working hard to restore this history together. We're all human at the end of the day. Thank you for preserving our shared history, so we may never repeat it.

[@MrHewes]

When your finished with Ron Ship him over to me in the UK 🇬🇧 you can see he knows how to get on! Great video!!

[@neilfairless4589]

Kurt, i think having the rusty Grant next to your restored units further demonstrates just how good your team is at what they do. Love how folks are wanting to join in from around the world, great series mate.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

Thank you again to John parker and Family for providing the Grants from their Families paddock. Kudos to Expert Ron , Dirk (welcome to Oz) and Steve in the Rust -oration . I am wondering what the paint scheme colours or hues where ? And from the left over markings what Units did they come from in 1942-1945?

[@Grebogoborp]

A whole new (and much more literal) meaning to providing a grant to an institution

[@GEV646]

I appreciate the conservation of this tank. The layers of paint, rust and damage are all a part of its story and I think displaying it in this condition helps to explain why the restoration of other pieces in the museum is important in turn.

[@stevesankey6339]

Boy what a job you guy have,I can see how hard it is, and the work you do,We all owe you so much for what you are doing. And yes I would love so much to Volunteer to work with you guys. Thank again for showing the world what you guys are doing down there. Hats off to you all 🇬🇧 🎩

[@andrewsteele7663]

I know I always harp on about my love of Workshop Wednesday, but it gets better each episode. I would love to sit with Ron and have a cuppa to hear his stories. Thanks again for another brilliant episode, I was able to finish the dishes from dinner early so I could watch the episode. Cheers

[@jilthunder2276]

It is a question of taste, of course - and despite the fact that I like fully restored vehicles more, I also like this project here very much! Best regards from Germany, Jens

[@SV2LLJ]

What a job !!! What an achievement !!! Respect to all there... This one is a real BIG rustoration although being in rough shape, this one shows the REAL tank,in real life...As a former tanker (gunner) in Greece at mid 70's , I had the opportunity to know some tank types..M24s were our oldest back then , and the main types were M47s and M48s. The newest I served ,was the M48A1..Anyway, I think the oldest tanks in the Greek Army, of course after the Liberation from the Nazi occupation, were the Commonwealth's types..Cromwells and other types of this era (my late father was a driver of an Cromwell back at the 50s..) and a little later some Shermans. I do not think Greece ever had Grants (or Lees..) but as I always follow your episodes, I find your restorations very interesting...Tanks are almost the same about ... Please accept my congratulations to all of the personnel and there in the AUSArmor museum.

[@gdutfulkbhh7537]

It’s lovely that you didn’t over-restore her. Looks perfect, well done!

[@andrewmurton8379]

Fantastic rustoration, she looks superb, be great one day to see her running maybe but so many projects still waiting to be done. Love all your videos Kurt, please keep them coming.

[@kiwifruit27]

He doesn’t muck around 😮straight into it 😊and works 💨

[@bearg4019]

Congratulations from Florida...I've been a tanker when I was a kid then volunteered for the service back in the 1970's..when I was a driver for the 1st Calvary Armor Divinion ..back it M60A3.....your channel content is awesome..

[@hanefar11]

I LOVE! When they keep what left of the original pigment, adds a whole other dimension to tanks we so fondly recognize, yet forget. Their age, usage marks, and color, as most media from the time was in black and white. Just a small amount of pigment is the largest contributor to the figment of imagination & reality of how it once was.

[@matthewpayne42]

I look forward to receiving your videos every Wednesday 9am here in the UK. Thank you for another awesome video. Keep them coming!!!

[@desertmandan123]

Me too, 0942 here in London.

[@theonlymadmac4771]

I have a school friend I went to school with in the 60ies whose father fought in the German Africa Corps. The old man died a couple of years ago almost 100 years old. He would have liked to see this as he fought Aussies (and liked them a lot - stupid f.. ing war) and fought Grant Tanks

[@lukevannek9259]

Wahoo! Love it, found this thanks to the On The Bench podcast. But what a bloody Aussie legend Ron is!

[@MegaWildweasel]

while generally not a fan of patina restorations in cars in this as the unit markings and a good amount of the finish is visable I think you made the correct decision. excellent.

[@PixelSchnitzel]

I got a big chuckle out of both Zimmerit comments. 🙂 I also appreciate Ron's fondness for that "tank smell". My father was an armored battalion XO and I spent a fair amount of time crawling around tanks, trucks, Gamma Goats, jeeps, etc. as a kid. Once in a great while, something will trigger that smell memory and I love it. Oiled canvas under the hot sun and my dog's insulin are two things that trigger the memory.

[@Wolf-yw7en]

What a way to spend your holiday in Australia Dirk. Vielen Dank.

[@aarondavies8486]

Best tank channel on KZbin

[@Vendettafp]

Best channel on youtube

[@makeitsonumberone1358]

Bovington has left the chat

[@pichaimuthupichaimuthu7131]

​@@Vendettafp4😂z🤥 😊😊 1:56 ❤❤❤❤

[@steveyountz9184]

This is a great video and is making me excited about heading out to the gym. OK, so part of that sentence is true, but it looks like even that level of restoration is a heck of a lot of work. Kudos to everyone who pitched in and I am really impressed the gentleman came all the way from Germany to do his bit. 👍👍

[@TaylorLiam87]

I love the rust patina! Great work Ron!

[@johnblunt1834]

That was one serious drill for the door hinge mount holes!!

[@tentacleprty]

LOVE the patina restoration. Sometimes it's great to see what the years have done to these machines.

[@NeilABliss]

Watching the two Grant restorations put me in the mind of two very different car youtubers The first grant, meticulously taken apart and rebuilt using all the right methods for precise authentic looks. Kinda like Jay Leno's garage. The second, bash it together , make it fit leave the rust.... Kinda like Coldwar Motors.

[@ManLand]

I like the rusted preservation or "Rust-oration". It shows like what modelmakers strive to try obtaining in a model kit.

[@user-py6oc4jo6c]

First time I've ever considered anyone blacksmithing a tank!--Bob Bailey in Maine,USA

[@BlueaxeReproductions]

I appreciate a 'rustoration' as much as a full restoration. Its nice to see the original paint and markings sometimes, because it is as close as we can get to seeing the original colours and such. I hope yourselves and other museums consider them more often in future, particularly when you can do both side by side! Great work, and communications as always!

[@peterlorenz8267]

Fantastic to see how the love of historical vehicles saves these for future generations well done to all involved 👍

[@TaliaTheNeko]

The contrast between the two tanks is so cool! Thank you all for sharing this.

[@garywatson9976]

Great collaboration of like minded historic restoration tankers! I hope the Parker family gets to see the work done on the tanks they preserved!

[@kalaharimine]

Woah, serious high energy level and know-how. Well done blokes.

[@RLhole68]

Workshop Wednesdays makes my week so much more enjoyable. Seeing all the hard work the folks do to bring old bits of history back to life, or giving them a new lease on life depending on if they get restored or just cleaned up to be shown off. Amazing work and a big congratulations to all the folks there at the museum.

[@plainnpretty]

It was a great idea putting her in the museum next to a fully restored one . Pretty cool display. Thanks to you all

[@busterdee8228]

"Rattle it loose.' Very high tech--and it works. 'Bland' US assembly-line engineering must have had its charms for maintainers. I can't help wondering how large were the machines that made such a concept possible. 'Oh, that room? That's where we make the ash tray.' Ron, you're amazing. Thanks for sharing your passion.

[@alexwild4350]

Fantastic contrast to watching car restoration projects where thin metal abounds with light tapping hammers and short burst mig welding pervades. Here its nothing less than a 10lb club hammer as a precision tapping stick to whack plate steel into a millimetre precise placement. Really enjoyed the journey through the enthusiasm of your team.

[@grunthostheflatulent2613]

The thing I like most about these videos is that they are 100% genuine with no fake "up-against-the-clock/need to meet a deadline" drama like in the Americans do...

[@sulfurbomb8598]

if only the grant was actually an Australian tank and not American

[@ryanlowes3164]

Being a fan of Mad Max and a wastelander myself I love the rust look..ether way you all do 1 hell of a job keeping history alive

[@angrybudgie1617]

Heading that way next year & looking forward to seeing the Grant. My dad drove them in the 2nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Tank Brigade, 3rd Armoured Division. Started with Stuarts I think, then the Grant and finally Matildas.

[@krmould]

Great job. It is really cool to see a fully restored example right next to one with such a cool history and rust patina. Big shout out to Robert Parker and family for saving these tanks from the scrappers, and to Ron, Dirk and all of the regular crew for their amazing work. Kurt, great video and narration as always. Keep up the excellent work.

[@Thomas-wl5bm]

What a superb makeover! No makeup needed. Your team succeed with the best patina! 😇🇭🇲

[@johnanon6938]

That rust-oration looks absolutely gorgeous! Plus some great footage around 14:30 of why annular cutters are a must have. But Ron's likely-contagious enthusiasm for the M3 Grant was maybe the best part. Loving this series.

[@Twitchguy]

These guys have the coolest jobs in the world! I would give anything to even just be a shop hand cleaning up and making food runs working with these guys! Seriously this is a great example of if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life! These guys are getting paid to restore tanks! Screw a office where your boss takes credit your work where can I apply to be a tank restorer?! Seriously enjoy these videos n bow my head to these gents! Incredible work

[@alskiontheweb7118]

Your Dad would be proud Mr. Parker. Having your son take part in the rescue as well is something I'm sure your son will remember as well.

[@NSYresearch]

These Grants have provided so much brilliant material here for Ausarmour, well done Kurt and the teams ....amazing stuff

[@P-J-W-777]

It’s really cool to see the patina restoration but I’m hoping it gets a full restoration someday because it’s such a good example and so complete.

[@andrewfischer8564]

at first i thought it looked great but it would have been easy to sand and paint alot of it when it was apart

[@haroldquill8761]

Thanks Rob, I love the Grant and Lee tanks, currently building models of the many variants as I can. Some with welded side doors, no side doors and later Sherman boogies. Love them. It was one of the 1st models I built when I was a kid. And have never forgotten it.

[@FrancSchiphorst]

Jack-Hammering that rust into submission! Awesome job and must have been a joy to turn that ring after freeing it up.

[@3gunshooter60]

Love watching ya'll get these pieces of history put back the way they were. It's satisfying to see it preserved.

[@timcope6685]

That is Awesome! Ron is a machine at restoring Grants!! Thank you for sharing this Awesome story Ausarmor!! Keep up the Brilliant work!!!!

[@davidhandyman7571]

The quality of materials and manufacture is attested to by how they came back to life after so many years exposed to the elements.

[@battlejitney2197]

I love the original, rusty look, especially when parked alongside the fully restored Grant! Another amazing piece!

[@tassie7325]

Bit of a step-up from the days of making incredible diorama's Ron. Great work

[@tannerjones9687]

Patina looks great on this one.! Ron has the power the passion and vision it’s like watching a person from the time period work on it 😮

[@user-ly4ko3sf3s]

I have known Ron for 30+ years and he is a machine, he re-builds these things on his own and he is also a world class model builder hence the attention to detail he displays here and everything else he dose, great guy and I am privileged to call him a friend.

[@dnbeckmann]

Man! Ron has really been working! Well, you all do, of course. Such a good bloke for helping you all out.

[@Homa_Brutt]

у человека золотые руки, снимаю треуголку - почёт и уважение таким людям

[@crystaldbj]

The Grant tank was great in SE Asia throughout the war. People like Ron are amazing! Thanks for the video.

[@scottcrawford7310]

We all dream of this kinda of finds. Fantastic

[@Marshal976]

Amazing stuff, thank you to all involved!

[@genesisrain984]

These guys are the true industrial legends of our time. Serious wealth of knowledge they share between them.

[@davidhancock6695]

When I stumbled onto this I binged five episodes of the Barn find! It's a great story about a truly heroic team of rescuers. Thanks for all that you do. BTW. I'm a big fan of the patina look. Add a satin finish to bring out the markings and it will be perfect!

[@thomaswhitelake]

Just Brilliant!! Absolutely love the authenticity of the restoration! Kurt and Ron excellent work! Wunderbar!

[@kittonsmitton]

Wow what a great video, you couldn't make it up, great stories from Ron's first restoration to the Rustoration and the willing and able new faces. What a great slice of history I would never have known were it not for the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum and all the fellas who make it work. Big thanks and you are all much appreciated.

[@garyandrews5104]

You’re a bloody legend Ron. Look forward to each Wednesday… but these Grant tanks are something special. “Tanks” guys 😀

[@drleelooby7239]

Amazing restoration. My dad worked as a mechanic on M3 Grant tanks as well as on Stuart's, Matilda's and Sherman's during the war. His Regiment , the 2/8th Armoured Regiment, had 57 of them by June of 42. A total of 757 arrived in Australia by the end of 1942.

[@stokes8762]

This is an excellent video, much credit to Ron and Robert Parker for saving these iconic machines.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

Thank you for sharing 🏆🙏🤗🇺🇲

[@Bembem69]

What a fantastic idea this was! This tank has so much character. I could spend all day admiring all the different shades and textures of the rust and flaked paint. It also tells a great story. Kudos and thank you to the whole team!! 🎉

[@Deuce_and_a_half]

I love the rust look! And having it side-by-side with the restored Grant displays the contrast really well.

[@wilkybarkid]

The comparison between the resto and the rusto also shows the level of work that's gone into the ongoing preservation activities. Great work, and if I ever travel to the opposite side of the planet, I'll be sure to check it out in person.

[@user-py6oc4jo6c]

I get the impression he's happy when the ring spins by hand I LOVE seeing a true craftsman enjoying his work!--Bob Bailey in Maine, USA

[@nandi123]

Another great episode! It is a great idea to have the Grant out in the museum for everyone to enjoy as is. In addition, the minimalist restoration stopped the deterioration and will make any future work that much easier. Well done! Thank you. 👍

[@normanmerrill1241]

I was a Lt. In the army…1968…Armor…I learned on a M60 (105mm) and was sent to 1/73 rd Armor, Fort Beavers, Korea…we had M48 A2C (90 mm). I really appreciate your work and video…brought back many memories…thanks…

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Love watching these clips as it shows the true work put into all these old pieces of war . The history is also very important as it saves these pieces for future generations to see . Keep up the good work lads

[@Harbor269]

I love it!❤ I am a fan of original camo paint and markings and I am old enough (kinda rusty myself 😅) to have seen some rusty WW1 and WW2 era tanks in the 50’s and 60’s as a kid, before full restoration was always necessary. Great job, guys! Keep ‘em coming. 👍

[@ak-northman726]

Absolutely love the rusty look. It’s draws its history out and makes it Look like the old war dog it is. Good job guys.

[@michaelreynolds1904]

Absolutely amazing way to display that piece of history, assembled as parts were found. Sometimes, rust is a good thing.

[@sigmatus303]

Yay for the full troop!

[@jeanguillaumevismans7200]

Great job! Excellent idea to have kept it rusted ! You have preserved the original soul of this armored soldier 😊

[@yattaran1484]

Thank Ron for his great story about Grant Tank restoration !.

[@markfoster6369]

Great seeing the grant moving.amazing what a bit of heat and muscle can do to persuade everything back into place. Excellent work 👏

[@joefrasson8997]

Nice to see these old machines coming back together..

[@chuxxsss]

I love watching this stuff after being at the School of Armour back in 2000 in the workshop.