Wire Reel

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Matthew P

Chris,

I can't speak to the Commonwealth Signals equipment but I know a little from being around several friends who do US Signal Corps. All the reels carried twinned wire. Need two strands to wire up a field phone. The square on the smaller reels was for a carry handle for dispensing, sometimes a harness was clipped to it as well. The larger reels went onto carriers, racks, carts etc. DR-8, DR-8A and DR-8B only vary by contract date and some details in the mounting locations for the terminal block. and in the holes in the side of the flanges.

Matt

I've seen photos of American reels used by Commonwealth troops so imagine they were supplied, plus having the advantage of being much easier to find.

Point of order: WW2 British and Canadian field phones could use a single wire and ground.