VICKERS MK6B's resto

[lynx42]

Nearly an inside photo but not quite.

cntreffeat_ph_iraqmkvi_org_001_0.jpg

Another from the web.

001.jpg

Regards Rick.

[colin jones]

Lynn, no, the engine bay is in the front part. The generator is bolted directly to the engine. I'll get a better perspective photo tomorrow. It holds something about 4" in diameter and I have only seen one other tank with it in view as per the photo att.
Rick, I think that is the Duxford one and one in Egypt.

[Jordan Baker]

Could it be for storing the 4" smoke launcher tube?

[colin jones]

Hi Jordan, that too crossed my mind as I have never seen one in the flesh. They do have a detachable one that fits on the drivers side of the turret so you may very well be right. I'll get some close ups today.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Could it be for storing the 4" smoke launcher tube?

The 4" discharger tubes were an outside thing. There wouldn't have been the need to take it off and store it inside so I doubt it's for that.

[colin jones]

Well I don't think it is for smoke discharges as it is for about a 6" dia item. It is aluminium and it's fabricated. It is just above the floor level and it is not covered by any bulkhead panelling. It has those two threaded holes and I can't see anywhere for a strap to hold something down. It does not line up with anything on the engine and I cannot see where there is any wear marks

[Lynn Eades]

Variometer??? I don't know anything about them. Do they need to be in front of the radio op?

[colin jones]

Lynn, I too am a novice about them even though I have some! I would guess they need to be within arms reach of the radio operator. The two threaded holes throw me a bit, almost like something is clamped down by one side only and why bolted and no provision for any straps. It is also just above the turret basket top. Bowerbird has the bracket and Wombat has the holes where it was which means it was in all of them.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Well I don't think it is for smoke discharges as it is for about a 6" dia item. It is aluminium and it's fabricated. It is just above the floor level and it is not covered by any bulkhead panelling. It has those two threaded holes and I can't see anywhere for a strap to hold something down. It does not line up with anything on the engine and I cannot see where there is any wear marks

Ah, measuring tapes...the universal language.

I've thought about every piece of equipment a 1936 Vickers tank crewman would need (based on years of looking at stowage diagrams and kit) and am drawing a complete blank. Space was at a premium so everything inside was for immediate use. The rest was stowed outside or carried in lorries behind.

Just maybe what you have is not a stowage bracket at all. Are there matching holes on the other side for a second bracket? If not, one would do. Could it be a centering bracket for the bottom of the turret basket? The pin and adjustment would make sense for some attached channel that would support the rotary junction box supplying current to the turret; the adjustment being required for slight eccentricities of the turret ring gear. The scallop may not be for stowage so much as clearing some protrusion on the bottom of the basket.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Well I don't think it is for smoke discharges as it is for about a 6" dia item. It is aluminium and it's fabricated. It is just above the floor level and it is not covered by any bulkhead panelling. It has those two threaded holes and I can't see anywhere for a strap to hold something down. It does not line up with anything on the engine and I cannot see where there is any wear marks

Hi Colin,
Reading the manual for the MkVI, there is mention of fitting a counterweight to the mantlet if guns are removed and tank is driven. No idea of what this consists of but I would imagine it could be part of the stowage. Only wish I could access the photos I took of the inside of Platypus when we were working on it.

regards Richard

[lynx42]

Colin, out today in England is this magazine. Look at the bottom left story, I hope they have some interior photos for you..

Regards Rick.

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