Wanted: WS19 No3 control unit

[Russell Boaler]

I'm in need of a British No.3 (Mk2 or similar) WS19 control unit that's in good condition paint wise. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Russell

[Patrick Johnson]

Hi Russell,
Are you looking specifically for British manufacture, or would a US manufactured No. 3 control unit suit your purpose? I have at least one No. 3 available but postage to New Zealand might be pretty steep. Let me know!
Cheers, Patrick

[Russell Boaler]

Thanks Patrick.

It's to go in a British armoured car and I mainly want to avoid one with Russian text. Excuse my ignorance but I'm not sure what the differences are between the American and British versions. Here in NZ the sets with Russian text are generally known as "Canadian sets". It will sit in close proximity to the attached remote control unit so ideally something that has a similar finish.

Indeed, the units aren't light so postage from anywhere won't be cheap but that's life I guess.

Russell

[lssah2025]

That is a junction remote control number 1 in your picture, ebay has lots of Number 3 MK II on them from time to time. So you want the British version, gray with black lettering, the lend lease are usually a little different color, will look out for you.

Most of the ones with Cyrillic are lend lease models, that went to Canada, UK, Australia etc., just depends if/what you want your radio to be, all matching or piece meal. Here is a Number 3 MK II so others can know what it looks like.

Is this for the DAC? or another one, most of the Number 3 MK II were in Dingos.

[Russell Boaler]

That is indeed a picture of exactly the No.3 control box that I'm after.

It is to go in a Daimler Armoured Car as you suggested. Attached is a picture of the general WS19 radio arrangement in the back of the turret. I do have an old control box as shown in the picture and it has long since lost all its labels and is starting to suffer from some corrosion... hence the desire to locate one in better condition.

As this is a late production Mk2 DAC it has it has an external cable drum fitted which is wired back to the WS19 set via the Junction-remote control box shown in my earlier post. Most DAC's didn't have the remote control box fitted. I'm currently struggling to figure out the mounting position of the remote control box as there is simply no room for it beside variometer (it's physically the same size as the No3 control box).

Russell

[Patrick Johnson]

Hi Russell,
The No.3 Control Units I have all have the English and Russian cyrillic letters on them, I believe these were largely made in the US by RCA for Lend Lease. As far as I know these boxes were made in the US as you rarely find them with some form of US manufacturers marks. The truly British made sets were made if I'm correct by Pye and are very distinct in their colour and markings. I wish you good luck in finding what you are looking for and keep checking ebay.co.uk for new listings.
Cheers,
Patrick

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Your 19 set with the black text on white decals looks to be early Canadian or American made. Does the data plate on the front confirm this? British sets should have the face text in black right over the pale blue/grey face paint.

As for the mounting of the control unit. Are there blocks on the underside of the turret roof just forward of the set? Sometimes the units were bolted to the turret ceiling.

Originally Posted by Russell Boaler

That is indeed a picture of exactly the No.3 control box that I'm after.

It is to go in a Daimler Armoured Car as you suggested. Attached is a picture of the general WS19 radio arrangement in the back of the turret. I do have an old control box as shown in the picture and it has long since lost all its labels and is starting to suffer from some corrosion... hence the desire to locate one in better condition.

As this is a late production Mk2 DAC it has it has an external cable drum fitted which is wired back to the WS19 set via the Junction-remote control box shown in my earlier post. Most DAC's didn't have the remote control box fitted. I'm currently struggling to figure out the mounting position of the remote control box as there is simply no room for it beside variometer (it's physically the same size as the No3 control box).

Russell

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The driver's box is interesting. It's labelled 'CALL COMMANDER' and has a push button. If the 19 set is set to intercom the driver can hear and speak to the crew through his headset. If the 19 set is set to 'A' (long range) or 'B' (short range he is of of the loop. He must press the button on his control unit which activates a buzzer in the headset of the crew talking on the A or B sets and they must switch back to intercom to hear him.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

The driver's box is interesting. It's labelled 'CALL COMMANDER' and has a push button. If the 19 set is set to intercom the driver can hear and speak to the crew through his headset. If the 19 set is set to 'A' (long range) or 'B' (short range he is of of the loop. He must press the button on his control unit which activates a buzzer in the headset of the crew talking on the A or B sets and they must switch back to intercom to hear him.

Pin 5 (Signal) on the supply unit input connector is passed through to pin 9 on the control harness. This is connected to the headset (pin 2) on the "Commander's" droplead - though if that lead is switched to the IC position the buzzer will be heard by anyone else switched to IC.

The various control units are wired in different ways, some boxes (1A) have both dropleads in parallel - the No.1 had one switched (for the commander (or operator if that was the only control unit)) and the other marked as "I/C ONLY" for the gunner.

Chris.