Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[Darrin Wright]

Over the last couple of years I have slowly (and I do mean slowly) put 2 dash assemblies together. It has taken awhile to find and collect original toggle switches, NOS dash warning lights etc. Dad and I had many gauges, so it was a matter of seeing what we had, repairing them with new decals, finding NOS gauges at swap meets and then putting them together. No rush as the vehicle does not need them yet.
I had an original dash board that I copied to make another dash board, an early dash without the switch guard that will go into hull 731.
Just some pics to show my progress.
I came to a stand still with the wiring as I think it will be easier with the dash in the vehicle and a loom to conect to.
I have gone with the gold surrounds with red stripes as I have seen numerous BGC with this in their dash assemblies, not sure if this is 100% correct, but I think at the time they did come like this.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Darrin - interesting and very topical subject with me at the moment. Over the years I have been building these panels with the learning process on a continuous basis. My current version, the brown one, is what I build and that is based on the two images out of a Carrier manual. One of your panels is similar to the 1943 one other than the colour of the fascia plate and striping.

Now why I say this is topical is that a few days ago "Along Came Jones" with a panel variation I hadn't seen, see other image. I was initially hesitant that this was an original configuration but Colin assured me this panel came from an original, uncut and unmodified Carrier. When I broached the subject of the speedometer showing the gear/speed quadrants, my attention was drawn to a small plate on the top left of the cluster holding plate. This plate correlates the speed/gear ratio of the Carrier. I had never seen one of these plates so that was an education. I have yet to see one in the flesh but that is only a matter of time. I see on your holding plate a spot for this small plate.

I cannot now be definite on which is the correct configuration of the cluster. I will stick to the two Manual images unless someone requires something different. The variations obviously depended on the manufacturer and their interpretation of what was required.

I thank Colin for furthering my education and research in this area. Back to the drawing board.

Bob

[Darrin Wright]

Hi Bob,
yes the dash had a speed/gear plate on it, I removed it to see the paint underneath and so that it would not get damaged by sandblasting.
The original plate will go back on, I did make some copies of the plate in fiberglass resin, as I will place a copied plate on to my newly made dash. I have several spares in case they gat damaged.
I did try and sell some of the copied plates at Corowa but nobody was interested.