Multiple SMOKE grenade projector: Sherman, Wasp carrier?

[Colin Alford]

Alex,

While the Multi-barrelled Smoke Discharger is not mentioned in the 2 March 1945, Handbook for the Flame Thrower Transportable, No. 2, Mark 2c, images of the mount can be found in the 11 May 1945 Addendum No. 1 to the above handbook (which is the fitting instructions for the supplementary armour).

The Multi-Barrelled Smoke Discharger is described in detail in the 1950 Canadian Army Flame Training Manual, for the Flame Thrower, Transportable, No. 2, Mark 2c (Wasp 2).

27A7EF6A-0E08-4E2D-8021-3BAF550C319C.jpeg 85EF9252-4DB0-4E87-BE19-4F5AC38720CF.jpeg AC145F0C-6D23-42DB-8FC1-776F8F8D4B93.jpg C5408319-340F-49CB-80D4-A37DCF9DF7B9.jpg AB2FBC96-6539-48AF-9BAF-44D2191685FF.jpeg

[Colin Alford]

The description:

9ACF5E28-2AAD-4F13-B7F2-A7C6A50D7C96.jpeg BF3B7F55-D15A-4081-B6C2-A687E194AA28.jpg

7076453F-BD7C-4B3D-AD82-963E8F569504.jpg 8D950752-6735-4C17-8D2E-6396D1C92845.jpg

14CCD980-4707-437D-B532-66E0559377C7.jpg

[Colin Alford]

Wiring diagram:

32A8B998-91E8-451A-94B2-6829A9B519BE.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

Alex,

While the Multi-barrelled Smoke Discharger is not mentioned in the 2 March 1945, Handbook for the Flame Thrower Transportable, No. 2, Mark 2c, images of the mount can be found in the 11 May 1945 Addendum No. 1 to the above handbook (which is the fitting instructions for the supplementary armour).

Thanks Colin; that's very interesting. Nigel Watson gave me some copies from the Wasp handbook years ago, but I am guessing those are the earlier issues as indeed these do not include anything about the smoke discharger.

[Jordan Baker]

Fantastic post with pictures from Alex and research with the manual from Colin.

Alex, by chance were you able to get pictures of the backside of the launcher base? It appears to have wires. Also any chance that this carrier still has its firing switches inside?

Link for the No80 Smoke Grenade WP
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30020161

[Alex van de Wetering]

Alex, by chance were you able to get pictures of the backside of the launcher base? It appears to have wires. Also any chance that this carrier still has its firing switches inside?

Tim asked the same thing.....but sadly I don't have pictures from the rear of the unit or the wiring. The Wasp is behind a barrier, and when I visited the museum, the volunteer on duty didn't allow me to step over the barrier for a few pictures. I might have another go in the future though. I wouldn't be surprised if the wiring is still there as the Wasp spent most of it's life in storage. Attached is a picture of what it looked like before the recent fresh-up.
Maybe Nigel Watson has pictures of the inside....as he visited the Wasp for his book series when it was still in storage in Grave.

[Tim Bell]

Wow, great info - thanks everyone.

This started for me about a month ago with the photo of the Governor General Foot Guards Sherman Firefly in Germany 45 and the obvious "what's that on the Mantlet" question.

Digging on the Canadian Military Model Maker's forum on Facebook led to the info from Steve Guthrie and I have since found relevant pages in the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade war diary for the demo to units.

oocihm.lac_reel_t10659_data_sip_data_files_1029 - SMOKE KIT - 11JAN45.jpg

oocihm.lac_reel_t10659_data_sip_data_files_1035 - SMOKE KIT - 12JAN45.jpg

oocihm.lac_reel_t10659_data_sip_data_files_1038 - SMOKE KIT - 13JAN45.jpg

oocihm.lac_reel_t10659_data_sip_data_files_1050 - SMOKE KIT - 15JAN45.jpg

In addition to the war diary data, I have found some other photos of GGFG Sherman with this mounted on the Mantlet which I will find and post.

Also, I am advised that the Ferret Armoured Car had a 66mm Launcher which used the F013 electric fuse (very similar to the No 14 electric fuse) which also launched the no80 smoke grenade.

Tim