Tail Light Assembly

[Mike Cecil]

I'm returning to this thread after a long time as I came across some info yesterday in relation to tail/stop lamp assemblies for Australian guns. An EMEI was first issued on 28 March 1958 titled 'Tail/Stop Lights for 25 pdr 40 mm and 6 pdr 7 cwt equipment'. It states:

"to comply with peacetime traffic regulations a tail/stop light assembly for the above equipment has been introduced into service. The equipment is issued as a complete kit and will be attached to the gun when it is being towed on public roads during the hours of darkness...' and ' the kit consists of a commercial pattern stop/tail light mounted on a special bracket which is fitted with webbing straps suitable for attachment to the end of the gun barrel. From the tail light a length of rubber covered electrical cable leads to a 4-pin socket suitable to the standard towing vehicle 4-pin point. Along the cable at 4 foot intervals cotton tapes are fitted for the purpose of fixing the cable to suitable points on the equipment.'

Unfortunately, no image or diagram was included.

The EMEI(Aust) is Armament A601-1, so the equipment formed part of the gun stores. As there was no cancellation or replacement indicated (as would normally be the case when updating or replacing an already on-issue stores item) and this was the first issue of the EMEI, I would tentatively conclude that tail/stop lamp assemblies were not an issue item in Australia for the above mentioned artillery items prior to 1958.

Doesn't help BSM of course, who is simply looking - or by now has found or made - an appropriate looking tail/stop lamp assembly for his towed gun, but interesting from an historical perspective nevertheless.

Mike