Months of hard work on a historic vehicle unearthed in Crowland means there could be a test run next month.
The military Buffalo LVT was pulled from the mud last year and a band of volunteers have been working on restoring and conserving it for future generations.
They hope to have the Buffalo up and running in time for the 75th anniversary of the 1947 floods in 2022.
And a replacement engine has been sourced and has arrived ready to be fitted over the next few weeks.
The vehicle was built in 1944 and sunk in the mud at Crowland in 1947 while helping in an exceptionally cold winter that saw serious flooding across the area after the thaw.
The vehicle spent more than 70 years underground before being recovered by Daniel Abbott, chairman of the Crowland Buffalo LVT Association.
The long term plan is to create a museum to house the vehicle, but in the meantime a band of enthusiasts is working to get the Buffalo running once again.
“The gearbox is now being repainted and put back together at David Brown Santasalo so hopefully early next year will see the arrival of a completely reconditioned gearbox and then we will have to wait for the tracks,” said Daniel.
The cost of making an entire new set of tracks is £25,000 and the existing set are not in great condition, so work will continue over the winter to see what parts will need replacing.
“The engine is here in a secure location and we are planning on having the first test run though December. The engine that is onboard is due to be lifted out and taken away for storage,” said Daniel.
“All our volunteers have taken items home to work on and restore them to working condition,” he added.
The association is offering people the chance to sponsor a ‘grouse’ (part of the track) and have their name engraved on one to help raise funds for the project.
The Buffalo was recovered in the summer of 2020 after 4,500 tonnes of clay was moved and a 14 metre hold dredged.
For more information about the project, see the website www.crowlandbuffalow.wordpress.com
