WS 19 in a Mk2 carrier

[Chris Suslowicz]

I hadn't seen this thread before!

Top left photo with the supply unit on top of the set and a different knob on the variometer is probably early prototyping work with a WS19 Mk.2.

Top right with the "bread bin" carrier may be a variant of the Sexton install that was being attempted on a universal carrier.

The last pair use a Mk.3 set on a variation (probably custom made) of the Carrier No.25. The power supply is _British_ (No.1 Mk.3) with (I think) modified keyhole slots in the top of the case for the retaining strap. It's got the mounting plates on the set carrier to mate with the table clamps (which have the bridge type shock absorbers) bolted to what I assume was the later WS19/WS29 table in the carrier. (That table is swappable with the one that has the Charging Set carrier fitted to it.) The table has a Batten 2-pt for power feed to the set, the 6-pt connector is on the front edge of the table, and the power cable to the batteries (6V 85AH) goes through the bulkhead into the front compartment and plugs into the batteries.

Top plate has a variometer on the left, with packing piece, bolted to the plate, then a No.10 aerial base (connected directly to the variometer), and finally a Control Unit No.2, connected to the set using the 'top' plug.

The rest of the connections:

The vehicle aerial base has a cable with a plug that fits the aerial socket on the No.10 base. The 12-pt harness cable and the 'B' set aerial cable pass through the trunking along the bulkhead (the 'B' set base is on the left of the vehicle, behind/on top of the bulkhead, and the harness cable goes into the front compartment for the Commander/Bren gunner's Control Unit No.1.

There's a custom made waterproof cover with zip front to protect the set - a lot better than the "drape a sheet over it" original installation.

The set is removable in one piece for use on the ground if necessary: unplug the 'B' set aerial, the drivers harness connector, and the power connector; release the table clamps, and the set can be pulled forward and lifted out. (If you're strong enough!) On the ground, use a new power cable, the spare pair of 85 Amp Hour batteries, and fit the whip (or a wire) aerial to the aerial base on the top plate. If you need the 'B' set, there's a clamp-on base and another aerial cable in the stowage.

That's my guess as to how they made it fit, anyway!

Best regards,
Chris.

[Petr Brezina]

Hi Chris, thanks for your points, very helpful as always. The pictures in the second row are from the Windsor Carrier, so for me (UC Mk.III) the first or second picture set-up should be correct I guess.
I like the "bread bin" layout but really not sure if it was generally adopted for the UC's or just experimental photo. Never seen it before. To have it in some official WS layout drawing would be great.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Hi Petr,

If Post #18 in this thread is your carrier, then it has the mounting hardware for a couple of tables, one to take the chorehorse carrier and the other with the table clamps for what is probably a variation of Carrier No.25.

How wide is the space where the mounting bars are fitted?

I've measured my Carrier No.25 and it is 25-inches (63 cm.) across.

I believe that with a suitable mounting board and table clamps, my set would be a "drop in" fit, complete with the standard waterproof cover, and that it is likely to be correct for the Mark III Universal Carrier (with WS19 Mark 3).

If that is the case I can work out the complete parts list for the carrier.

(I have been looking for photographs on the internet and am amazed at the number of Tamiya kits where people have stuck an 'A' set aerial into the 'B' set aerial base!)

Oh, and you will need three Aerial Base No.10 Mk.2 and one Aerial Base No.9 plus mounting No.1 for the carrier! (No.9 base behind the commander/gunner, one Base No.10 at front and rear, and the third one on the plate with variometer and Control Unit No.2.)

Best regards,
Chris.

[Petr Brezina]

Hi Chris, thanks a lot, space in my carrier is 64cm wide (wall to wall), 55cm between the "quick change" bars. So it seems that No.25 Carrier can tightly fit.
May I get some picture of No.25 carrier from the bellow, please? Would bars on No.25 fit on bars on UC floor (55cm between)?
Found on the net few pics of No.25, but not sure about exact dimensions. Also one carrier has interestingly bars cutted of (picture) - why?
I have already acquired some stuff, but still many parts missing.
Thanks for your help.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Petr Brezina

Hi Chris, thanks a lot, space in my carrier is 64cm wide (wall to wall), 55cm between the "quick change" bars. So it seems that No.25 Carrier can tightly fit.

It should fit in that space - my measurement allowed a little extra width for protruding screw heads, etc., and I suspect the No.25 carrier was designed to fit in this space.

May I get some picture of No.25 carrier from the bellow, please?

Yes, but I will need to clear some space and get the setup moved to where I can photograph it. This may take a few days.

Would bars on No.25 fit on bars on UC floor (55cm between)?

No: the bars are meant to hold a wooden board with the standard radio table clamps, spaced for the Carrier No.25 - it's a lot narrower than the No.1 or No.3 (21 or 23) carriers. The board also holds a "Batten, Terminal, 2-pt" for the 12 volt power feed to the set. If you look at Photo No.1 you can see the hole in the bulkhead where the battery cable passes through into the front compartment. The bars on the carrier floor have a cone at the rear (which will engage with a hole in the edge of the board - probably metal edged for protection), and the hole at the front is probably tapped for a suitable screw or bolt to hold the board in place. See if it has a BSF thread?

Found on the net few pics of No.25, but not sure about exact dimensions. Also one carrier has interestingly bars cutted of (picture) - why?

Someone was an idiot (or a vandal), and cut the bars off, then drilled holes in the channel (probably to fit the post-WW2 "Barry" mounts) for a permanent installation somewhere.

I have already acquired some stuff, but still many parts missing.
Thanks for your help.

You're welcome.

I may set my WS19 up as though it is fitted in that carrier so you can see what it looks like (and if you think it is the correct setup for the vehicle).

Best regards,
Chris.

[Petr Brezina]

Thanks a lot Chris!

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

The bars on the carrier floor have a cone at the rear (which will engage with a hole in the edge of the board - probably metal edged for protection), and the hole at the front is probably tapped for a suitable screw or bolt to hold the board in place. See if it has a BSF thread?

It seems that its just pin hole, no thread there Im affraid.
Never seen any picture or drawing of the counterpart, so hence my questions.
Kind Regards Petr

[Petr Brezina]

Just came across this interesting drawing in Chilwell which I overlooked before.
This support for wireless set is intended to be for AOP Mk.III but again something completely different
It has extra support (41) bolted to the engine rail (?) and some strange type of the carrier which I never seen before. There are obviously common rubber shock absorbers underneath but the shape of the carrier looks odd.
Confused again