VICKERS MK6B's resto

[David Herbert]

I am almost certain that the triangular bump is simply to provid clearance to something inside - amunition tray possibly ? The fitting shown in the top right photo above is a standard AFV fitting of the day and protects a hole in the plate it is fixed to and would normally have a cable coming through it, I expect for a spot light.

David

[George Moore]

There is that probability, the opening it covers would allow some movement or extra space in that area.
I note that is fixed by screws, and not riveted in place, so was it perhaps removable ??
The other fitment is a cable cover, a common fitting on other armoured vehicles and carriers especially.
The turret drawing showing the fan in place like a lot of other stuff asks more questions than it answers, and I am still at a loss as to why there is no mention in any of the wiring diagrams, it must have been able to switch on and off, but there is no circuit shown.

Having got this far into the rebuild it is annoying not to know.....just for the heck of it if nothing else.

George.

[David Herbert]

Just thought, the cable cover could be to protect the bowden cable that operates the 4" bomb thrower though I think that spot light is more likely.

The slotted head screws holding the triangular cover is something I had not spotted (on a rather small screen at the time). A very odd detail.

David

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

Just thought, the cable cover could be to protect the bowden cable that operates the 4" bomb thrower though I think that spot light is more likely.

The slotted head screws holding the triangular cover is something I had not spotted (on a rather small screen at the time). A very odd detail.

David

Hi David,
I did the electrical installation on the Vickers that went to the Littlefield Collection and can say that the cable cover in question was not for the spotlight cable. It has to be for the bomb thrower as there was one on the other side as well.

Regarding the question of the plate on the left of the turret, maybe the photo attached will throw more light on the subject. With acknowledgment to Mike Cecil, it is a photo from his archive which he sent to me when I published an article of his on the Australian MkVIa tanks. It is a RYPA training rig and was found in the 1980's on the training area at Puckapunyal. You can see the bulbous plate is not present, but the cut out is and below it is possibly a clue. I think it possible an ammo box was stowed and the cover was to give extra space for it. I do not have any interiors of the one I worked on unfortunately. We had a lot of unanswered questions on that one, for instance we never found a picture of the retractable signalling lamp.


In case anyone is wondering, RYPA stands for Rolling-Yawing-Pitching Assembly

[colin jones]

I think David Herbert is spot on with it's use as a closer look at the many photos I have, I can now pick something in the photo attached. The shape of the pyramid had me puzzled but the photo puts it in total perspective. In the first photo you can see a tray on the left that would hold a Vickers ammo box and it is shown on an angle that would fit perfectly into the recess and that part is on the curved section of the turret on the same side as the Vickers. In the second photo on the right, you can just see the beginning of the open recess I will get confirmation on this but I am confident that is the answer.
Half the fun is solving problems and questions and learning.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

I think David Herbert is spot on with it's use as a closer look at the many photos I have, I can now pick something in the photo attached. The shape of the pyramid had me puzzled but the photo puts it in total perspective. In the first photo you can see a tray on the left that would hold a Vickers ammo box and it is shown on an angle that would fit perfectly into the recess and that part is on the curved section of the turret on the same side as the Vickers. In the second photo on the right, you can just see the beginning of the open recess I will get confirmation on this but I am confident that is the answer.
Half the fun is solving problems and questions and learning.

Hi Colin,
Glad to be of help, I suddenly remembered the photos of the RYPA and it became obvious then.

regards, Richard

[colin jones]

Richard, that photo of the training aid certainly confirms the need for the tray access and in the photo here it shows the tray for the Besa gun and the need to "NOT" have an access on the other side. Perhaps this is why they used those two particular guns as they feed from opposite sides. I did wonder why they used two totally different guns. Perhaps some one can confirm that the Besa does feed from the right. Actually I think the Vickers feeds from the right or is the feed block reversible.