Otter LRC CM4647296 comes home

[Jordan Baker]

Today the rest of the turret basket was removed from the hull. I was thinking that the two Boys ATR magazine boxes would fit between the Bren magazine boxes. However with the seat installed they do not fit. The height between the tray bottom and the bottom of the seat is about 5”.

[Jordan Baker]

Also on closer inspection of the original tray there is the remains of solid brass rivets. Now I’m scratching my head as to what they were for. I’m not sure if they were for fastening something to the inside of the tray or for something hanging below that has to do with the two wood blocks and locking hasp. On the locking hasp there is the remains of two rivets. The spacing matches perfectly to the p37 web strap ends. Oh to find an interior picture showing the turret basket.

The turret is now just sitting off the side of the race. It’s quite heavy on its own so I’ll be using the hoist to lower it to ground.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Brass rivets and mystery holes. One could lose sleep over such mysteries. Does that line of holes along the back suggest hinge? Not that whatever hinges would have much movement but just a thought.

[Jordan Baker]

I’m thinking along the front opening may have been a canvas flap. Riveted along the front bottom edge of the tray. Then a buckle at either end matching up with where I know a strap end was riveted on the ends of the magazine bin.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Today the rest of the turret basket was removed from the hull. I was thinking that the two Boys ATR magazine boxes would fit between the Bren magazine boxes. However with the seat installed they do not fit. The height between the tray bottom and the bottom of the seat is about 5”.

If the Boys Mag chests are too tall, do Bren Mag chests fit?

[Jordan Baker]

I tried the Bren magazine box and it’s too tall as well.

I’m leaning towards there being a canvas flap (red rectangle)along the front of the tray. Bottom edge riveted to the tray. Then at either endow of the canvas flap there is a P37 web strap/buckle/tab (blue rectangles) to keep it in place.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

I tried the Bren magazine box and it’s too tall as well.

I’m leaning towards there being a canvas flap (red rectangle)along the front of the tray. Bottom edge riveted to the tray. Then at either endow of the canvas flap there is a P37 web strap/buckle/tab (blue rectangles) to keep it in place.

They conveniently used the holes in the Pattern '37 brass web ends for the rivets to attach those web bits to the bins. If your theory is correct then the obvious use for that space is maps, aerial photos or other such information a reconnaissance vehicle observer may require to do his job. The British Humber Mk.IV actually had a map table on the commander's forward hatch panel, something I wish the Canadians would have duplicated in the Fox.

[Jordan Baker]

Interesting wartime promotional poster I found.

[Jordan Baker]

Turret basket being worked on. Some detail pictures of the retainer chains and pins. The one tube was cracked/split with not much holding it. I broke off the tube then bolted hem to the turret bearing race. This ensured everything was lined up. The mating surface was prepped for welding. There was also a pretty bad split in the other tube. The ends of the split were drilled out and the split cleaned up. Everything welded up nicely. Now to get the upper tubes removed from the lower tubes. Currently they are rusted in place.

[Jordan Baker]

Turret basket all welded up and the main parts now all separated.