Roll, tool, canvas containing...info request

[Darrin Wright]

Question. Does anyone have a correct or original tool roll holder they could measure the length & width for me?
It has to be original and not a substitute that does the job.
I need to work out how big the toolbox on the gunners front floor of my Aust LP1 should be. I know it is 16” x 6”, have no idea on height. I am thinking approx 4" like the tool box in the Aust LP2/2A.
But the Aust LP1 copied so many parts of the Canadian/British carriers, I welcome any info for consideration.
It has to fit the tools in the packing list (attached pic).

Thanks in advance

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Darrin, Contrary to much that is written, the Australian Govt. bought a British Machine gun carrier and from this patterned the the LP1.
The tool box on the floor in front of the gunner, in a riveted U.C., had a cut out to allow the passing through of the rod, and to the very left bellcrank. This box had grown from the smaller original in the M.G. carrier. The box sits back just clear of the brake rod going across the gunners floor.
I have a picture of one somewhere, but it will be hard to find.

[David Dunlop]

Lynn.

If you check Petr’s post today on his storages boxes on his Carrier, there is a shot of the box in question in front of the Gunner’s seat, if that helps.

David

[Lynn Eades]

David, Petr's carrier is a very late MkIII Carrier.
The Australian LP1 was built using a Pre- Universal carrier as a pattern. I very much doubt the tool box is the same as Petrs. I have pulled up a picture of the inside of an early Bren Carrier (circa 1938) which has a different set up to that found in most carriers.
The Australian LP1 also has a number of Australian original changes.
They dont have warp steering. The cross tube that the front suspension mounts on, stop at the engine bed rails. They are solidly fixed. This was their downfall in as much as all steering was done by braking.(brake fade) I think most of the other ideas were good ideas. They had s cam type hydraulic brakes, much deeper air boxes, a stronger hull with gussets in some corners, the track guards were completely bolted. (everything is harsh in Aust.)
They had a high angled glacis plate with a shallow drivers front armour (to clear the 2 brake levers) (copied in T16) I like them.
Anyhow, I might be barking up the wrong tree, as I don't know what they had for a tool box, so time will maybe tell?

[David Dunlop]

Hi Lynn.

My brain was processing a reply faster than my thumbs could type words. My reference to Petr’s Carrier was in support of your description of the larger, later, UC version of the box.

From your description of the earlier box, is sounds like it might be close in size to the section of this later box, aft of the rod pass through.
Looks like a position where it might get kicked and stepped on a lot. I wonder if it might have had a reinforced lid?

David