AUS Carrier radio/wireless

Darrin Wright · #1 21-04-15, 12:56

I have come across a early LP2, hull 444, that had been field modified to take a radio installation. Unsure as to which type of WS as there was not much left of the hull. But it appeared to have had the RH stowage (Lewis cradle, ration & utensil box and heat box) removed. Mounts had been welded on for the crew boxes on the air scoop. This vehicle possibly had a partial LP2A revised rear stowage fit out, but very hard to confirm as there was not much left of the hull.

Radios appear to have only been factory installed mid 1942 onwards. So an early BGC would have had this done around the same time. Even back then, they would have tried to standardised fit out of vehicles.

I have attached some pics to show the unique changes for the radio fit out, and in hind sight, should have taken a pic of the mount points on the RH side.
In the front compartment is a bracket welded to the centre bulkhead for a crew box.
Aerial mount on the RH side rear of air scoop (MG anti-aircraft mounting point)
2 x holes in airscoop, either side of engine cover, for routing of radio cables.
LHF side of engine cover, crew box mount.
Radio rack on RH side hull, rear compartment,
To protect the radio, armoured cover with skirt that is secured in position by either a strap on clamp (same as on engine cover side panels)

I would be interested to know what hull number you have Big D. Also what hull features in place for a WS installation, or do you wish to install a WS?

A LP2 had all the internal stowage mounted on the RH side rear of the hull, this left the LH side rear of the hull free. As per the Instruction Book. Free for what? crew members, additional kit or the possibility of a radio.

But the addition of a radio on this side would have required additional modification to the WS equipment and some form of modification to the hull of the BGC to safely secure a WS installation (early form of OH&S, even back then) and route the cables so they would not become damaged.

When did the WS become standard to units and fitted to BGC?

It was documented in the 1943 workshop manual, unsure if there is an earlier manual with reference to this.
The Instruction Book, dated 31 July 1943, section 11 makes reference to a radio on the RH side rear hull. It depicts the brackets for the radio tray and armoured cover.
The Part Book, dated 31 Aug 1943 list all parts for the WS 11 fit out, page 96 & 97.

Even in todays Army, a lot of equipment if 'fitted for' but not actually fitted with, this is due to lack of funds and increasing the flexibility of what we have.
So even back then, BGC fitted for may not have been fitted with, due to a lack of WS in the system.

I think the WS 11 would be more correct as it is referenced in the literature for the BGC.

Big D · #2 22-04-15, 07:55

Hi Darrin

The hull number on this one is 1056. It was mostly restored when I got it and the chap who did the restoration put an RAAF radio in it. I'm not sure whether he was working off drawings or photos or just figured that is where a radio should have been.

He may have also been working off what was already on the hull. I can't really say what the hull and fittings looked like beforehand. I've posted a couple of photos of the hull pre-restoration but they are not great quality so not sure what you can make of them.

I have sourced a few WS19 sets from Europe and I figured I would replace the radio in the carrier, providing the WS19 could be correct.

Mike K · #3 22-04-15, 11:37

The radio set in that carrier is a ATR2B ( Aust. Transmitter Reciever 2B ) . I had a few of them at one time . They were made by Radio Corporation, Melbourne, for the RAAF . A neat HF transmitter/receiver . I did use one briefly on a ham band . Mike

PS link to more info http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/atr2b.htm

Darrin Wright · #4 22-04-15, 12:29

I was under the impression WS19 was used in British & Commonwealth armoured units & tanks, so it may have been possible for BGC in those units to have been field modified to carry the WS19.

Your BGC is neat & tidy and looks quite correct without the radio.
The blank/vacant/empty section on the LR rear hull is correct, that is how they were designed.

Mike K · #5 22-04-15, 16:12

This is the repro 11 set frame , my friends in the UK made it from scratch , they did a fantastic job . They made the dies for pressing out the countersunk holes in the frame

Big D · #6 23-04-15, 00:20

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. So the consensus seems to be either no radio, or an 11 wireless set.

What do you make of the aerial mount I have on this carrier? It appears made for a WS19 or similar aerial base. Is this mount something likely to have been adapted from another vehicle by the chap who restored this carrier, or was it a mod fitted to carriers in the field?

The chap who restored the vehicle seemed fairly meticulous and I'd be surprised if he put something on it without any historical research or other basis, but then I guess you never know...

Any thoughts?

colin jones · #7 23-04-15, 10:55

Here is the set I got with the original mount in very, very good condition. It is quite an easy replication having such a good original to copy from. Darryl, I don't think the aerial mount looks correct at all and I'm sure they would never have been mounted on the rear wing but there are others that would have more accurate info I'm sure. Very nice looking carrier all the same.

Colin