M152 Interior Layout

[Jason Ginn]

I know that this may be a tall order but I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide me with a bit of guidance on the interior layout of the M152 in the attached images. The CFR for the truck is 55-45873.

The vehicle is posing a bit of a problem in that I cannot seem to match the existing holes and marks to any of the specialist kit installations that I have seen pubs for.

So far I have checked the 19/19, C42, Msg Centre/Staff Office, Sigs Centre RCA and Electronic Equip. Line and Repair pubs but all seem to use the standard tables. I so far have been unable to locate any primary source documentation or interior images for the Unit Commander/ Staff Officer Office Kit or or the EOD truck, but exterior images of the EOD truck and a brief description of the official Office Kit in Andrew Iarocci's SMP book do not seem to match this installation.

The truck has holes on the fenders for the Chorehorse mounting plate and the cab heater but the blanking plate for the heater tube is still fitted to the cowl. The passenger side rear body above the passenger door has been drilled for an antenna mount but no antenna mount holes are present on the rear of the body.

The side panels have a number of holes for different mounts but none appear to be for BB46 battery trays or the large stowage rack or tables. What is still present is an angle iron bracket that held a basic table across the front but this appears to be slightly higher and less deep than the standard tables.

Also present in the rear are four large holes on each side of the body that are directly below the angle brackets. These holes go through both inner and outer body panels and the passenger side holes have nuts and bolts in them with large square washers on the outside.The floor or and wheelhouses are free of any holes or marks that would indicate the installation of a folding table or other floor mounted kit.

The vehicle also does not appear to have been fitted with a gas can holder or penthouse. but does have brackets on the inside of the rear door that may hold the folding stairs.

If anyone has any thoughts on the kit that was fitted to this truck I would be most appreciative. I know that most of the office installs were at the discretion of individual Officers but I though I would try in case this is something different.

Also if anyone has any has any images of the interior of 152's while in service I would love to see them. I did locate one image on the Canadian Guards Regimental Association website but it appears to be a bare 152 being used as a regimental CP.

Thanks,

Jason