Aiming Post

[Jared Archibald]

G'day Ron,

I think you will find that the object that you have marked on the hull side of the LP2 is a Vickers MG cleaning rod, not an aiming post. It is a long rod with a D or oval-shaped handle with a small sliding fitting on it.

They were stored here with the early hull-side tool stowage, and were then placed on the inside hull next to the gunners leg in the later stowage plan.

The MG Aiming Post was also carried:- I have seen them either in one of the rear stowage bins, or on the inside rear bulkhead on the RH side.

Jared

[ron]

Hi Jared good to hear from you,thanks for the reply, I have three early carriers here one is 595 and I have another one 258,they all have provision for the Vickers cleaning rod on the gunners side of the carrier mounted in clips on the side wall next to the gunners leg, the diameter of the rod in the side bracket is too large to fit the bore of the .303. Vickers ,Page 91 of the manual Carriers, Machine Gun L.P 2&2A dated 1941 states Post Aiming,MGMk 111.On outside ofHull.L,H upper side plate, this is where I obtained the pic that I posted, any way mate thanks for your reply, how are your carriers coming along ? any up dates on them, Regards Ron

[ron]

Hi Darryl,
Good to here from you, you live in a great spot, the bottom end of the South Island is my favorite place in the world, I have spent many holidays hunting the Fiordlands in years gone by chasing Wapiti,
Anyway back to the my question, you are spot on the money. yes thats the item that I was asking about, is it original? or new manufacture,?
Best Regards Ron

[ron]

Hi Darryl,
Check your P M message sent, Regards Ron

[Big D]

Hi Ron,

PM sent back to you. Probably done when the carrier was restored I'd say. Yes, the lower south island is a great spot. Lots of outdoor places for hunting etc. Let me know when you are next over.

Cheers

Darryl

[Rob Beale]

The post is made from 1/2" dia rod, 4 foot long with a 4 inch dia circle formed in one end, and a tapered end at the other.

Check the dimensions of those brackets on your carrier Ron, but I think its 4" outside dia.

Cheers
Rob

[Big D]

Hi Ron

I don't have my imperial ruler or my calipers on me but:

* 890mm length (from tip of pole to exterior of ring)

* 115mm ring (outside diameter)

The steel rod looks to be about 11mm in diameter.

Slightly different to what Rob says.

Cheers

Darryl