Switchboard charging C5

[Doug Knight]

Hi
thanks to all.
The c-15 at the CWM has a C5 switchboard installed with a No 52 wireless set and apparently complete battery and wiring setup. The vehicle markings are First Canadian Army and 9 over signals colours for the unit. The vehicle has a 34 foot antenna mounted to the left of the rear door - haven't found the 20 foot antenna yet. The museum has a complete installation and accessories for one 52 set - mounted in the truck, a second set with basic vehicle installation hardware (no accessories) - i guess the boxed c5 is for this one, and a real basic third set. At least, that is what I have found so far.
Doug

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Doug Knight

Hi
thanks to all.
The c-15 at the CWM has a C5 switchboard installed with a No 52 wireless set and apparently complete battery and wiring setup. The vehicle markings are First Canadian Army and 9 over signals colours for the unit. The vehicle has a 34 foot antenna mounted to the left of the rear door - haven't found the 20 foot antenna yet. The museum has a complete installation and accessories for one 52 set - mounted in the truck, a second set with basic vehicle installation hardware (no accessories) - i guess the boxed c5 is for this one, and a real basic third set. At least, that is what I have found so far.
Doug

The wireless installation is nice, but they are using an antenna tuning unit from a No.9 Mk.1 set instead of a 52 set (it's the box mounted on the top right of the 52 set). Other than it being a museum and unlikely to trade, I have a No.9 Mk.1 set that sorely needs the tuning unit seen in your picture, and I just happen to have a spare tuning unit for a 52 set.

Does anybody know of a tuning unit like the one in the CWM wireless truck for sale or trade?

Here's a pic of my 52 set with the correct tuner (mounted on the alternate right side position).

[Doug Knight]

Ah.
Thank you - I think I can fix this problem. They have a second tuning unit that I think looks like yours. I will investigate on my next shift.
I think you are right about the trade - being a volunteer that is well above my pay grade. I don't think they have a no 9 set, but I am still unpacking stuff. Do you have a photo of your No 9 setup?
Doug

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Doug Knight

The vehicle markings are First Canadian Army and 9 over signals colours for the unit.

Hi Doug;

The vehicle markings are those of Serial 1156A - Headquarters Signals, R.C.C.S., (1 April 1942 to 4 April 1944), which was converted and re-designated Serial 2354 - Headquarters, First Army Signals, R.C.C.S., effective 4 April 1944 and was disbanded effective 16 January 1946.

Cheers

[Doug Knight]

Thanks Mark

Would you have an establishment for the unit? A subsidiary concern (mine) is that it might not have had a 15-cwt mounting a 52 set. Not that it makes much difference as that is the only vehicle the museum has that we could put the set in! It might be easier to change the tac sign.

Doug

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Doug Knight

Thanks Mark
Would you have an establishment for the unit? A subsidiary concern (mine) is that it might not have had a 15-cwt mounting a 52 set.

Doug;

According to the War Establishment - 'A Canadian Headquarters Signals' (Cdn III/312/1 - effective 3 April 1944), the only Truck(s) 15-cwt that the War Establishment called for was: 1x Truck, 15-cwt, GS and 1x Truck, 15-cwt, Water.

On another note, the only vehicle my notes show as carrying a C52 set was the Lorry, 3-Ton, Command Low Power (3-ton, 4x4, 158 wb).

Cheers

[Doug Knight]

Mark
I was afraid of that. Maybe a brigade or div hq used it - still - they really have no choice.

Bruce
I have replaced the tuning unit with the correct one - thanks. I will take another picture.

Doug

[Bruce MacMillan]

120 C52 sets were shipped to Trooper (UK War Office) in 1944. 79 of these were requisitioned by the Canadian Army Overseas in Nov. '44 for use in LCV LP only.

UK had ordered about 1100 sets for 21st Army Group so they may have used them in other vehicles. They were recommended as a better unit than the British WS19HP.

[Doug Knight]

thank you all.
Doug