On the internet there is a picture of a LK II running without a body, where the rider sits on a small platform. We have built a floor and mounted a chair on it to create a functioning driver’s seat. The ergonomics of the driver’s seat is not the best but for limited driving tests, it will work fine.
Category Archives: Renovation
Start of engine
The power pack was mounted in the frame and it was time to start the engine and check if everything worked as it should. The engine started, the gears went in and out and the drive wheels were spinning.
Look, listen and enjoy!!
Drivers seat
The tank has only two seats, one seat for the driver and a stool for the commander, which both are missing. We have therefore taken a chair from a KP armed car, painted it and covered it with a coarse green cloth. The stool remains in the tank standing at the museum, as such, we can produce it later.
Adding oil
We have got oil for the gearbox, the steering gear and the final drives. We have filled a few liters in each unit, mainly to see and verify that there are no leaks anywhere. If everything looks good, it is time to start the engine again and check if the gearbox and the steering gear works properly.
Radio
In some old photos you can see a telegraph operator at work sitting in the cart. On his right hand side there is a visible large antenna.
In the user manual for Strv m/21-29, approved October 1, 1934, is a radio labeled “Apparat 1 W Sv”. We have not found any information about that kind of radio. On the other hand, there was an army radio station labeled “1 W Br m/28” in which Br stands for portable. In comparison the accessory lists are the same for “1 W Sv” and “1 W Br”. We assume that “1 W Br” is renamed to “1 W Sv”.
These three photos of the radio “1 W Br” are taken by Björn Hörstedt at the Army Museum in Stockholm.
Before and after
While a renovation is going on, it is easy to forget how the different parts looked like before we did order them. Therefore, I have done some before and after pictures to show the incredible difference cleaning, painting and general tidying-up does. Not to mention the feeling of knowing that things work as they should.
We start with the powertrain: engine, gear box and steering gear.
Instrumentation and wiring.
We have also replaced the modern rod antenna with a loop antenna.
Back on track
Since the holidays are over it is time to start again. There is still much to do before the work is done.
But we are back on track.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
Now we make a break for the holidays, but in January we are back.
You need to have a radio
In old pictures of the Strv m21, there is a triangular radio antenna mounted. On the bracket that we are renovateing, the antenna mount has been modified to carry a modern rod antenna.
We have removed the bracket, cleaned brackets for the antenna arms and the insulating plates that the brackets are mounted on
.
From two broomsticks, we have produced a new triangular antenna similar to the original image.
The fuel system.
The fuel system consists of the fuel tank, carburetor and an electric fuel pump.
The petrol pump, an AutoPlus, works surprisingly good. after the renovation. We did not think that we could get a pump more than 80 years old started.
