Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian - Project

[David Dunlop]

Not much time for the 52-Set Project right now, with the Summer season here. The addition of outside chores to the routine, along with an endless stream of heat waves this year, has a significant limiting factor on what one can get motivated to accomplish indoors.

Related projects have been the norm recently. I was able to more closely evaluate the accuracy of my tube tester. It does need a new tube itself, but the type needed falls into todays ‘pricy tubes’ category. However, by letting it warm up and stabilize for 15 to 20 minutes before testing any tubes, and by going through a number of tubes with known values from another tester, I have been able to determine it currently runs about 16 points lower in readings than it should. So it can be worked with until a suitably priced NOS tube shows up for it.

The second outside project has been getting my oscilloscope up and running, as it will soon be needed for the 52-Set Project. More on the scope later on a separate thread.

I did recall the other day that the Microphone, Hand No. C3 for my 52-Set had some duct tape wrapped around the lower handle at some time in its history. The fabric of the tape had eventually fallen away, but the glue base had remained, firmly in place.

One of the advantages of working part time at an auto dealership detail shop is one has access to some marvellous solvents and cleaners. I decided to see what a spray bottle of our ‘Safe Solve’ could do with the glue residue. It is a very friendly solvent with paints and plastics and before long, the glue was starting to soften and come off with a solvent dampened cloth. After about 20 minutes of work, the glue residue was completely gone and the only thing still on the back of the microphone was the small yellow C-Broad Arrow stamp on the upper back.

So a little bit of progress.

David

[David Dunlop]

I found an interesting anomaly in the Wireless Sets, Canadian No, 52 Working Instructions Manual this morning.

While looking through the tables of parts at the back of the manual, I found that under the Kit No. 2, Operating Kit listings on Page 158, 2 Satchels, Signals No. 1 were noted under the ANCILLARIES Column.. That struck me as very odd since no other wireless set manual I have in my possession shows more than one Satchels, Signals listed. Never any spares. If what you had needed replacing, you simply requisitioned a new one from the Supply chain.

A quick look at the Master Parts List showed only one Satchel, Signals issued.

To double check, I went to the photo of the Major Items of Complete Station on Page 33 of the manual. Just one satchel noted in the photograph. That would be sufficient for the usual contents of 3 headsets, a Microphone, Hand No. C3 and a Morse Key for the main set.

To be certain, I took a look at the photograph of the items issued with the Case, Operating, Remote Receiver on Page 114. No second satchel there. The two headsets for the Remote Receiver have their own storage compartment at one end of the case so do not require a satchel.

I suspect therefore, that the listing in the 52-Set manual for 2 Satchels, Signals is a typographical error that was missed when the manual was rewritten from its original Wireless Set No. 9 Mk II Canadian Status to the unanticipated new Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian. This type of error is consistent with the large number of parts referenced in the Master List as having part numbers that are incorrect, which should be ignored.

David

[David Dunlop]

Here is another example of how the detail in the illustrations from the 52-Set Parts List provide valuable information to help correctly identify parts.

If one starts researching this torch with the Working Instructions Manual, the photograph on Page 124 shows the torch to be an angle head item, with a small diameter clear lens. The description on Page 160 simply is “Torches Hand 2 Cell” and notes that either it, or, “Torches Hand 2 Cell, Eveready No. 9250” can be issued with the set, but not both.

I tried searching for more information on the Eveready torch but have yet to find any images of one. I am assuming it might be a similar design to the other referenced item.

Then I took a closer look at the illustration and description of the torch in the Master Parts List. The text provided another clue; the torch had a plastic body, not painted brass. A closer look at the illustration finally revealed a possible model number cast inside the circle on the side of the torch by the neck: TL-122-B. A web search for that model number produced a flood of results. Too many really. It was quickly evident a number of manufacturers were involved in the production of these torches during the war.

I did notice, however, that a number of manufacturers placed their name in the circle on the left side of the torch and the model number was on the right side only. So I started by ruling them out. Then I noticed whenever a torch showed up with the model number cast on both sides of the neck, the manufacturers name was cast into the bottom cap of the torch. That helped narrow things down even more.

Another look at the illustration showed a very distinct shield shaped switch plate, with the slide switch below the button switch. Over four months, only two shield shaped switch plates ever showed up on line. Most were rectangular of some style. Of the two shield styles, one was a perfect match. Any torches with it also had the model number on both sides of the head. Turns out the maker of this torch is GITS (GITS BROTHERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY), and their logo is cast into the bottom cap.

Again, I could not have sorted this all out without the details in the Parts List illustrations.

David

[Bruce MacMillan]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

That struck me as very odd since no other wireless set manual I have in my possession shows more than one Satchels, Signals listed.
David

You must not have the WS11 manual then.

Depending on CES the set was issued with 7 or 8 satchels !!

[David Dunlop]

Good Heavens, Bruce! One could go broke finding satchels.

Do any of the 11-Set publications explain the surplus requirement? There is nothing at all in the 52-Set tomes covering the addition of just one. It crossed my mind the second satchel might be a carry over from the earlier 9-Sets but I have none of that family of manuals to cross reference for confirmation/explanation.

David

[Bruce MacMillan]

The kit for the ground station had 7 satchels whereas the kit for a general purpose vehicle had 8. AFV's were only issued 1. There were lots of bits and bobs and multiple headsets and mics so that could account for the number.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Good Heavens, Bruce! One could go broke finding satchels.

Do any of the 11-Set publications explain the surplus requirement? There is nothing at all in the 52-Set tomes covering the addition of just one. It crossed my mind the second satchel might be a carry over from the earlier 9-Sets but I have none of that family of manuals to cross reference for confirmation/explanation.

David

The WS19 "set and standard kit" contains at least one satchel (I think), and the installation kit for the Pershing had extras, presumably to hold the extra headsets and possibly the headset extension cables, though the latter were really too large (20 yards?) to fit.

The original "Satchel, Signals" was intended to replace the leather "Bags, Telephone Receiver" and "Cases, Message Book, Mark IV" as I recall, so having extra headsets would be a good reason for adding satchels to keep them tidily out of the way and stop them getting dirty or tangled up.

(If anyone has an original "Bags, Telephone Receiver", or the message book case, in good condition I'd be interested in it for the hoard/collection.)

Chris.

[David Dunlop]

Chris. If it’s military, its not hoarding. It’s Patriotic Preservation.

Out of curiosity, I took my two Main Set Headgear, No. 3 Microphone and No. 9 Morse Key and they all stuffed easily into one Satchels, Signal.

The two headsets and cable bits for the Remote Receiver all stow in the wooden Remote Receiver Case which would travel with the Remote Receiver when deployed, so for the typical Ground Installation, all expected needs would be covered with the one satchel. I can see individual operating teams mooching an additional ‘ad hoc’ satchel in the field. Particularly for the Remote Receiver. Grunting the largest, full, wooden support box any distance, would be harder than leaving the case with the main set, and grabbing a spare satchel of accessories and the Remote Supply alone. That said, I am still scratching my head a bit over this one.

The only vehicle install I have run across for the 52-Set is for the C15TA. Must reread it to see if a second Satchel, Signals shows up in it.

In the meantime, good luck with your PP, Chris.

David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Chris. If it’s military, its not hoarding. It’s Patriotic Preservation.

Out of curiosity, I took my two Main Set Headgear, No. 3 Microphone and No. 9 Morse Key and they all stuffed easily into one Satchels, Signal.

The two headsets and cable bits for the Remote Receiver all stow in the wooden Remote Receiver Case which would travel with the Remote Receiver when deployed, so for the typical Ground Installation, all expected needs would be covered with the one satchel. I can see individual operating teams mooching an additional ‘ad hoc’ satchel in the field. Particularly for the Remote Receiver. Grunting the largest, full, wooden support box any distance, would be harder than leaving the case with the main set, and grabbing a spare satchel of accessories and the Remote Supply alone. That said, I am still scratching my head a bit over this one.

The only vehicle install I have run across for the 52-Set is for the C15TA. Must reread it to see if a second Satchel, Signals shows up in it.

In the meantime, good luck with your PP, Chris.

David

Heh. Thanks.

The difference between Wireless Set No.1 (and/or 11) and Wireless Set No.52 (or the original No.9) is the intended role.

1 and 11 were "front line" sets intended for infantry/cavalry use (at battalion level) - Battalion to Brigade communication- and had to be portable, hence the separate power and aerial tuning units, and the set being a one man load. The original Wireless Set No.2 was intended for Brigade to Division (also AFV use), and would be vehicle mounted - not even Charles Atlas would be able to carry the set very far.

So for the Infantry sets everything had to be divided into man-portable loads - major components had carrying straps, custom webbing (Bags, Aerial Gear), and everything else went in Satchels.

Vehicle kit would be in (demountable) carriers and storage lockers/bins. Headsets and microphones would go in satchels to protect them from dirt and damage, giving easy access if they were suddenly required.

Wireless Set No.3 has one "Bags, Telephone Receiver" listed for the Ground Station and four specified for the Vehicle Station.

(I can't put my hand on the W.S.2 pamphlet right now - need to sort the bookcase out again!)

The WS52 will be similar: set semipermanently installed in a vehicle and ancillaries in the various storage boxes in cupboards. If the Remote Receiver is required it can be dropped off and carried to site for setting up. The Canadian remote control units were self contained, with the headset and microphone in their own compartment and a carrying strap for the complete unit.

At some point I'll produce a complete, illustrated, list of the "Satchel, Signals" range - there were at least 12 of them, for various distinct purposes, in a wide range of sizes and styles. (Some evolved over time as the shortcomings of the original design were discovered.) Satchel, Signals (no number, No.1 or No.1T) was the original, turning eventually into "Haversacks, No.1" in the mid 1950s; No.2 was the battery carrier for WS38 and WS18; No.3 (ditto) for the WS46 (without the wiring harness for the set - fit that and it becomes Carrier Battery WS46); 4, 5 & 6 were for various mine detectors; 7 is for the 60 watt pedal generator ancillaries; 8 is a weird zippered cover for something (probably mine detector related because it's under the Z5 DMC); 9 is one I've never seen; 10 is the backpack for WS 38 Mk.3; 11 is likewise unknown; and 12 is the carrier for the Detector, Mine, No.6A (lightweight version of the 4A for airborne and beach landing operations.

Chris.

[Bruce MacMillan]

[QUOTE=David Dunlop;262864
The only vehicle install I have run across for the 52-Set is for the C15TA. Must reread it to see if a second Satchel, Signals shows up in it.
David[/QUOTE]

The manual I had for my M152 sigs van (C42/52 setup) lists 4 satchels. ZA27294 was "field pack, canvas, signal, No. 1, MK1/1. Manual was post WW2 dated 1961.