WS19 set installation in a Sherman M4A4
 

MI am hoping someone has a photo, current or wartime, of how the Wireless Set 19 was mounted in the rear turret of a Sherman tank. I understand there may have been a steel mounting shelf where the set was indirectly attached to, likely separated by the four shock absorbers mounted underneath the carrie. I have yet to find any pictures in books or on the web. I have the drawings from Wireless for the Warrior but would like to see actual pictures or better yet, find the actual shape/dimensions of the shelf. Can anyone help?
Regards,
Patrick

I believe the shelf and mounting plate are still on the turret out at Westbourne MB. It may be a few weeks before I am out there again, but I'll try and remember to get a photo.

If the tank still has all the wiring and Control Units for the tank intercom system, can you please photograph that as well. Dimensions and thickness of the shelf would be much appreciated, and an understanding of its supports or support brackets would be much appreciated. Thank you!

That is a pretty tall request.

It could well be all the Canadian used A2 series Shermans will have later series equipment.
Who has an A4 with 19 set equipment remaining in Canada? CWM?

Does the WS 19 installation guide for the Sherman not show everything you need? Can you tell us more about your end use or requirement?

Oooops, I didn't catch the A4 part. The Westbourne turret is an A2.

Were any of the Shermans still active in Canada in the early 1960's converted to the C42 Set systems, or did they all serve out their days with the 19-Set?

David

The old Shermans were Militia vehicles and were intended only as D&M trainers and gunnery platforms. The early 1960s were a period when National Survival training was all the rage for Reserve units. The C42s were installed in trucks and CPs as mobile supports. Even into the 1970s the units had those crap radios in big wooden chests for ground mounts.

There is likely a definitive answer, but my supposition is the No.19 sets were never replaced in the Shermans. Too many other priorities.

If 19 Sets were ever installed in post 1945 Canadian used M4A2 vehicles, they were replaced by a later series comms set.

Did you look in "Wireless for the Warrior'?


http://www.wftw.nl/

From a recent publication
 

"The Postwar Sherman in Canadian Service" by Rod Henderson, Service Pubs doesn't offer much more information. The tanks' order and arrival is discussed, as are the choice of Shermans in Korea. The American SCR 528 radio is mentioned as part of the original equipment, but not much about whether this set remained in service throughout. The only comments about No.19 sets is with regard to swapping out familiar radios when they turned in their M10 Achilles SP AT guns for Shermans in Korea.

I found this pic on line a while back... does it help?

Was captioned "John Bowles, 4th County of London Yeomanry, Africa, 1943"

Attachment 75913

Also this one "Tommy Elkins, 4th County of London Yeomanry"

Attachment 75914



Tim

During the Korean War Canada, like other Commonwealth participants, continued to use wireless sets. These included the WS19, WS52, WS62 & WS88. There was some use of the US SCR300 but mostly for infantry.

From "History of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals":

"C Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse, had found it expedient to exchange the F.M. radio equipment in their American tanks for No. 19 sets."

I'm making the assumption that the other armoured units also used the WS19.

WS19 set shelf in Sherman turret
 

Hi Rob,
Any dimensions of the shelf and mounting locations for the 19 set on the shelf would be really appreciated. I will try to post a photo of my current installation so that everyone gets an idea of what I'm trying to do. Short of having an actual turret I am trying to closely simulate the interior of a Sherman tank. For me it doesn't matter if it is an M4A2 or A4 as I suspect the turret installations were probably very similar. Pictures of the shelf, supports and any wiring or control boxes that are still in the turret would be much appreciated. It's a shame its so difficult to acquire pictures of the interior of a Sherman given the number of fine examples here in Canada.
Cheers, Patrick
P.S. Thanks to all that have posted so far. Since I posted my initial inquiry I have found some excellent line drawings in the wireless section of MLU which give me a very good idea of what I need to build, they just don't have the dimensions.

I think i have pics of the inside of Bovingtons Sherman Firefly... Pretty sure some have the wireless set... I can look for these if that will help... Let me know. Tim

Firefly interior
 

Hi Tim,
I personally would be very interested in seeing any Firefly interior photos as my uncle was a crew commander in a LdSH Sherman in Holland. He was killed in his tank along with his gunner on 16 April 1945 and was awarded the US Bronze Star posthumously. However, please only post for the benefit of all, as I am looking more for an installation within the turret rather than the radio fitted in an armoured box outside of the turret. I believe the opening cut out of the back of the turret obscures a lot of the cables from view and I want to show everything in my simulated tank interior set up, hence my choice to go with the installation in a 75mm gun turret.
Cheers, Patrick

Here is a picture of one in a M4A2E8 if this helps.

Here is another M4A2 76mm Wet installation,

Attachment 76133


If you like I can take some pictures of the bare mounting tray that goes under the radio and mounts to the turret rear bustle, mine is out for sand blasting and painting

Partrick

LdSH?

I probably ought to have known what that acronym was, but had to Google it - new one for me... who was Lord Strathcona?

Do you have details of the action history?

I will dig out the pictures... but a pity you're not modelling his Firefly.

Do you have any pics of him with it you'd be happy to share?

Cheers

Tim

Pics of the Firefly wireless station.

Bovington Firefly

Attachment 76135

I think this one was at the Littlefield collection - grabbed from the web

Attachment 76137

Also found on the web... do not recall where or whose.

Attachment 76136

Hope these are useful

Tim

Good job Tim.
Sure gives you an idea what you will finish up with on your Vc.

M.

Here's a manual on ebay.
Sherman 19 set manual