Mk 1 UC Stowage bin with lid

[derk derin]

Another mystery to me is what was intended to be stored in the right side bin next to the driver with the lid?
Anybody know?
Thanks,Derk

[stephen crowhurst]

It is in the manual as Bin-Ammunition but dose not state what type.

[stephen crowhurst]

Trouble uploading.

[derk derin]

Yes, it’s definitely for .303 British ammunition and I always thought it was for the loose rounds packed in the cardboard cartons but the cartons I have of blank rounds seem too big to fit in the metal bin.
Hope somebody can shed some light on the proper contents of the metal bin.
Thanks,Derk

[rob love]

I wonder if bin 45 (next to the driver with the lid) might fit Boyes rifle ammo on bandoleers.
Most of the bins are reasonable tight with little wastage of space or metal. An example is the Bren Auxilery pouches which will fit into some of the bins. They are quite snug, but a perfect fit.

[stephen crowhurst]

There were several different types of packaging. If I remember correctly, a 10 round packet tied up with string, a 32 round box, and 48 round box, so may have been for one of them. I have also seen a 20 round box but that may have been post war.

[derk derin]

Yes, thanks to you Rob I finally found out what those bins were for. It was nice to finally fill them! 20 years later and I’m still finding out information on my carrier. Will probably take another 20 years to complete it!
Derk

[Tom Millward]

To my knowledge metal bren ammo boxes were only used for transport if ammunition to forward troops, under the CQMS it would have been swapped over to webbing containers, hence the bin in the Gunner’s left should be filled with the Webbing Auxiliary pouches also. Picture getting that box out in a hurry, scrabbling for more Bren Ammunition.

Incidentally I have some spare cross straps to link those pouches if you want some.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by derk derin

Another mystery to me is what was intended to be stored in the right side bin next to the driver with the lid?
Anybody know?
Thanks,Derk

tracer ammo in the separated bin section with the lid.

Derk & Tom: once the punters are done with their unsupported guessing games, see Rule #1.

Rule #1: examine original source material

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

To my knowledge metal bren ammo boxes were only used for transport if ammunition to forward troops, under the CQMS it would have been swapped over to webbing containers, hence the bin in the Gunner’s left should be filled with the Webbing Auxiliary pouches also. Picture getting that box out in a hurry, scrabbling for more Bren Ammunition.

Incidentally I have some spare cross straps to link those pouches if you want some.

I see posed images showing a Bren gunner being supported by his #2, the #2 installing fresh magazines direct onto the gun from the metal stowage chest, all the while being on the carrier engine cover top armoured plate.

[tankbarrell]

Loyd carrier has its Bren magazines in the steel box too. Granted it's not likely to be in the same situations as a UC but I don't think the steel box was just for transport to the users.

[Rob Beale]

is identical in size to the drivers tool box in the LP2 and LP2A carriers down under. The 3 manuals and a tool roll are held in it I believe!

Interesting that the large illustrations in the UC manuals don't give an indication.

Rob

[Tom Millward]

Posted many times before, but this video shows the stowage in the LH bin (https://youtu.be/-nTsnfEAjzI?si=fsyFN8p_x8tYxdB5), don’t think it mentions the small compartment in the RH bin though.

Interesting to hear people’s evidence of the boxes being carried on the vehicle. I guess there are no real rules of use in wartime!

[Tom Millward]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

tracer ammo in the separated bin section with the lid.

Derk & Tom: once the punters are done with their unsupported guessing games, see Rule #1.

Rule #1: examine original source material

You can always count on Michael R to come up with the goods! What does that drawing state goes in the dismountable bin next to the wireless?

[kevin powles]

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

You can always count on Michael R to come up with the goods! What does that drawing state goes in the dismountable bin next to the wireless?

That’s for loose or in cartons ammunition, can be removed and passed around to replenish magazines # tag punter No3.

Rule #2 : Ask Michael R.

[Tom Millward]

I take that was why the mag loader on the battery box was included - to bomb up magazines from loose rounds?

[Jordan Baker]

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

You can always count on Michael R to come up with the goods! What does that drawing state goes in the dismountable bin next to the wireless?

I believe the consensus of the forum members years ago was that it held 5 bandoliers of rifle ammunition. The storage diagrams said 250 rounds. The box fit 5 fully loaded bandoliers perfectly.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

I believe the consensus of the forum members years ago was that it held 5 bandoliers of rifle ammunition. The storage diagrams said 250 rounds. The box fit 5 fully loaded bandoliers perfectly.

The early Canadian produced book/manuals stowage plans and folded large format charts can be somewhat puzzling historical terminology when it identifies the removable metal box as a ‘magazine’.

[derk derin]

I heard bandoleers went in the metal ammo bin as well years ago but if it was .303 ammunition used with the Bren mag filling machine then it would make more sense it was loose ammunition packed in cartons rather than bandoleers which would all be in 5 round stripper clips. To load the Bren mags with the filling machine the 5 rounds would have to be stripped from the stripper clips to put in the filler machine. Seems like a lot of work.
Now the carrier did also have service rifles stowed in the carrier. Could the metal ammo bin hold both cartons of .303 to refill the Bren mags and have a bandoleer or 2 for the service rifles?
Any thoughts on this.
Derk

[derk derin]

As for the original question on this thread of what went in the stowage bin with the lid, Michael R. found the answer to that. It was 200 rounds of .303 British tracer rounds. Thanks to Michael R. for posting that answer.
I did a Google search for .303 tracer ammunition cartons to see what they looked like and I was lead back to another thread on MLU where Tony Smith posted this photo of one. Thanks to Tony for posting that photo. Now I just need to find 4 cartons to fill the bin and Bob’s my Uncle!
Regards,Derk

[derk derin]

Found a photo of the British packed box of .303 tracer on the internet. It seems the cartons packed in Canada hold 48 rounds while the British packed cartons hold 50 rounds. This makes sense now when they list 200 rounds stored on the chart.