Kerrison Predictor

[Damien Allan]

Hi Neil,

in answer to your questions, the Kerrison could only be used with the powered mounts. The power units were referred to as hydromotors and they bolted onto the rectangular plates in front of the traverse and elevation geartrain. There was also a lot of other gear that had to be incorporated into the gun mount. In Australia, all powered mounts were converted back to hand cranked by removing the hydromotors. These mounts often retain some of the other parts like the electrical junction box near the equilibrators,the traverse indication gear under the platfrom and the drive input shafts that connect the hydromotors to the gun mount gearboxes.

I have seen a couple of guns with the hydromotors connected, but I think they were probably reinstalled by the current owners. I have two spare sets of the hydromotors in the shed myself (anyone interested?), so they are probably a few more out there. There are some good photos of Bofors in North Africa, all fitted with hydromotors.

If the battery wanted to engage more than one target multiple Predictors would be required. The intention was that a battery of guns can be operated from a single Predictor, which would be impressibe to see.

Does anyone out there know where a copy of the Illustrated Parts List for a Kerrison might be? I know they exist, as I missed out on one a few years ago. I recovered a Kerrison in its transit case from a barn in Bathurst NSW 10years ago, but the farmer had used it as a source of bits and pieces over the years. I don't think too much is missing (scopes are still there), but the IPL will tell me for sure. Also keen to locate a Kerrison tripod, cheers D