VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks, Lynn, for the confirmation.

I think that pretty much confirms that both MGs fed from ammo boxes in the tray fixed to the mount, the .303 from the right, the .50 from the left, with the empty belts going into the 'collector'trays/boxes mounted on the left and right turret walls respectively. Empty cases ejected into some sort of bag or box under each gun: anyone got any references to that aspect?

George - in the Japenese image, the tank seems to have a Wermacht number plate, so an image of a captured vehicle perhaps? Pity I cannot read Japanese. As for the fan, the Besa was renowned for being a 'fumy' weapon - plenty of references to the 7.92 Besa in the Mk3 Centurion producing overpowering fumes - maybe that's why the Besa-armed Vickers needed an extractor fan?

Mike

[David Herbert]

The 7.92 Besa was almost universally used as the co-ax weapon in WW2 British tanks so must have been acceptable then.

I note that in the Japanese photo the bowden cable that fires the 4" smoke discharger can clearly be seen coming out of the protecting cover behind it. So that removes any doubt about that.

David

[Mike Cecil]

David, I agree with you that the 7.92mm Besa was almost universally used on Brit WW2 tanks as a co-ax, hence its use in the Centurion Mk3 as well (replaced by the Browning .30cal to become a Centurion Mk5).

It was nevertheless well known as a very 'fumy' weapon.

Mike

[colin jones]

That most certainly does clarify a lot of questions and George you have to be spot on with what Mk that drawing is. I have looked at that drawing along with lots of others and not been able to work out what it is. Some of the other drawings I have are for the Mkv1b because of the air intake cover but fortunately there appears to be very little difference between the rest of the A,B and C variants.
Richard, I am quite fortunate to have a couple of drawings of the retractable signalling light and have already found two glass covers that appear to be identical which I will post when I get to that stage. Thank you everyone for sharing your information and knowledge.
Colin.

[George Moore]

The photo is from a Japanese mag, and shows a captured Mk VIC, but I have other photographs of BEF and others, ALL showing the fan cover.
The one I posted was the best of the bunch and not intended to mislead.

George.

[Mike Cecil]

George,

I wasn't suggesting such - not at all. I was simply interested to see it was a captured example, that's all.

Mike

[George Moore]

Mike,
Sorry if I seem to have over-reacted, just that I mistook the comment that being "under new management" it was a conversion made by them rather than a standard fitting.
It would seem then that the MkIV B did not have an extractor fan, as the drawings with the fan plus the one I posted are VI C turret.

George.