Forgot to mention, the battery is not the original Victa issued one that is held on with two skinny bolts between the two main power packs. I replaced it with this non standard one I got from Jaycar at $30. It is held on with a pair of zip ties against the aformantioned bolts.
Not the most tidy looking but is functional.

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!