Bren AA mount: help and more info needed

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by James Gosling

This picture is captioned as a Canadian designed anti aircraft mount in use with troops near Calais 1944.

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Can anyone help with further info and pictures of this mount being used so late in the war?

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James

The port of Calais was bypassed in the late summer early fall of 1944. It remained in German hands until quite late. As a defended static position, the attackers would have needed to switch tactics. One way to fully invest a resilient enemy would be to keep raining fire into his positions while other elements manoeuver closer. It is possible that the Vickers MMGs were a priority on the sharp end against the main front along the Netherlands and Belgian border, versus a nuisance front at Calais.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXqg-6YKU7Q

[Michael R.]

entomology. . . an earlier ‘Motley’ crew.

[Barry Churcher]

In 1994 Brian , Les and I went to Portsmouth on our way to Normandy for the 50th. A gentleman there graciously let me spend about two hours in the back of his truck carefully getting detailed measurements and photos of his Motley Mount that came from Portugal. He said they were made in Canada but there was no identifier on it. I probably drove Les and Brian crazy going back all the time to check this thing out. I made two copies of it with the only difference being they were the mature model with the main pipe frame being a little longer for the tummy. It was just too cramped. The one in the photo with my daughter Dawn is the prototype and you can see the main pipe was made in sections to try and get the angles right. The second one was all one piece.
Dawn's picture is in the back of Mel Norwick's 8cwt and I think Hanno has a better photo of that truck. I need some ideas of what I could use for a rubber eye piece.
Barry

[David Dunlop]

Barry.

Are there any rubber boots out there in Vehicleland, for fitting over cables and levers, that would be a suitable size and could be trimmed to work?

David

[James Gosling]

Barry,

The rubber eye piece is probably the same as on any tank sight. My Polsten was fitted with one and in the old days of MV shows you would often see them on stalls for sale over here.

Interesting that the owner of the Bedford who I think is/was Colin Brooks said it was made in Canada. This could be the reason it is listed as a MK1 but bares no similarity to the British MK1.

Is there any museum or army organisation in Canada who might have more information?

Thanks James

[Barry Churcher]

David I have been watching "boots" every time we change front end parts but have found nothing acceptable at this point. The automotive stuff is a little flimsy and usually tapered. I need something barrel shaped that I could adapt. I currently just use a tie rod end cup but it looks hokey. I could adapt my sight to accept a rubber from a tank or artillery sight as James has suggested but I hesitate to rob a sight and you never see them for sale loose here.
Thanks for the reply.

James I doubt if there is one in Canada but I would love to see it if there is. Years ago I contacted all the museums I could find in Canada regarding information or photos and never got a positive reply. I was told once they were made here by CCM (Canada Cycle and Motor) but I have no proof of that. Any history of CCM online says they made gun parts during the war but doesn't go into detail. I know the War Museum in Ottawa didn't have one unless one has been acquired recently. The War Museum has a German equivalent which is far superior. Collectors Source has a sight for sale and it is broad arrow marked so possibly the mounts are only English produced.

Cheers, Barry


motley_aa8.jpg
http://www.collectorssource.com/medi...motley_aa8.jpg

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Barry Churcher

David I have been watching "boots" every time we change front end parts but have found nothing acceptable at this point. The automotive stuff is a little flimsy and usually tapered. I need something barrel shaped that I could adapt.

How about a portion of the boot that goes over a motorcycle shock. Here is a blue one (I would recommend black though) next to the one from a gun "telescope sighting no42.
It does appear the original is the eyecup from the telescope, sighting as used on artillery and tanks.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Barry,

Try looking up some folding bellows used for flow equipment, who knows what you will find there.

E.g. https://shop.eriks.nl/en/rubber-prod...parts-bellows/

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Barry. Are there any rubber boots out there in Vehicleland, for fitting over cables and levers, that would be a suitable size and could be trimmed to work?

[Barry Churcher]

Thanks Hanno. A couple of bellows on there look promising.