Mk1 Crew stowage locker
 

Sometime ago Rob Love posted the following about the crew stowage lockers found on Mk1 Carriers.


The tool box over the left track is stock and is one of the holy grails of the mk1 carriers. You will usually see photos of it re-mounted onto the front of the carrier so as to make more room for passengers within the protection of the armour.
The real mystery of this box is what was inside and mounted onto the top of it. There are brackets for what looks like the track jack on top of the lid, and there is a small clip inside the lid which seems to hold about a 1/4" rod of some kind. There is also the little semi-circular holder on the inside corner; looks almost like an oil can could fit. On one of these I previously owned there was remnants of a canvas divider inside; again purpose unknown. The stowage diagram says the locker only contained the crews packs.

This could be the topic of a seperate thread. Does anyone have any referancematerial as to the stowage within the locker?

While re-reading my Canadian printed instruction book the other night I stumbled onto the stowage and equipment part. On pg 118. "T" is listed as Jack, Lifting Handle ...... In socket and brackets on top plate -- hull cover axle or on locker kit.

Looking at the size of this tool and the fact that one end has a small hole in it I would imagine that it would fit onto the clips mounted on top of the stowage locker. Especially since the clip has a set of holes and peg that pass through it.

Here is a picture of the tool im talking about. If someone has both of these coudl you please try it out and let us know how they fit together.

In Nigel Watsons book on Carriers he has some info on the crew stowage locker. Specificaly Im looking for anymore info on the webbing attached to the inside of the lid. Does anyone have some clear pictures as to what this looks like?

Webbing Tool Pouche
 

The picture of the tool pouche on the underside of the Stowage Locker was taken at Bordon when I visited way back on their MkI* carrier. I am told that it is no longer there (the pouche that is). Can anyone confirm this? I know the carrier was due to be restored a bit so maybe it was just taken off before that.

Nigel

Thanks Nigel for the info. Did you have any other pictures of it then what was in your book?

Does anyone know if it would have been the same size as one of the pouches on the bren spare barrel bag?

Hi Jordan ,I got both of those pieces in some U carriers [10] that a partner and I bought from Reynolds sales in alberta.The handle goes in the other section to operate a track jack. I got the handle, the adjuster piece ,But not the third piece which is the actual jack.Am totally new at this.We got 2 mk 1s, and 8 mk 2s, and am still learning the ropes .but loving it.armor rules!!!please forgive my primitive one finger compooter skils.Regards

Finaly made the trek down the road from me to get some pictures of this very elusive part. Its the little canvas bag/cover that is attached to the underside of the crew stowage locker.

Ive got a basic set of drawings done up and will be making a pattern over the next few days or so.

Jordon
 

The original application ( pre universal) of this box, was for spares for the bren. The clip inside the lid is for a cleaning rod. I have the canvas pouch, but as with the metal bkt. in the corner, I dont know what they held.
I have two drawings, both identifying it as "Case, spare parts for bren"

I had originaly thought that the canvas flaps would hold the Bren spare parts wallet. However now that I have the dimentions the flaps are way to small.

Going from my first photo L to R Ive got some ideas now of what might possibly fit. The pocket would fit a standard oil bottle, the midsection is actually a small pocket with the opening on the RS, Im thinking the small parts tin would go there. As for the big flap, its 7" x 7.5", Im wondering if a cloth would go there. When the flap is done up the ends of it are open and I can't see any "hard" object staying put in it.

Canvas flap
 

I also saw diagrams etc. designating it as "bren gun spares" And in my box I also have 2 clips that hold a bren gun cleaning rod perfectly.

Cheers
Adam

Great thread and I am glad I looked at it. I had that canvas thing included with my carrier when I bought it. I had no idea it related to the carrier, I thought it was just something the previous owner had thrown in. Glad I didn't toss it.

Jordan
 

I have some duplicate pictures for you.

i'm fitting a stowage box to my carrier at the moment and it too has the canvas and other small fittings inside. did anyone figure out what the oil can holder looking thing in the corner was used for?

No Rick, but the 1941 U.C.Mk1* parts book states:
"TL 12207 Case-tool,Bren gun, canvas"
That's all the info I have.

thanks lynn