VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by colin jones

Well I don't think it is for smoke discharges as it is for about a 6" dia item. It is aluminium and it's fabricated. It is just above the floor level and it is not covered by any bulkhead panelling. It has those two threaded holes and I can't see anywhere for a strap to hold something down. It does not line up with anything on the engine and I cannot see where there is any wear marks

Hi Colin,
Reading the manual for the MkVI, there is mention of fitting a counterweight to the mantlet if guns are removed and tank is driven. No idea of what this consists of but I would imagine it could be part of the stowage. Only wish I could access the photos I took of the inside of Platypus when we were working on it.

regards Richard

[lynx42]

Colin, out today in England is this magazine. Look at the bottom left story, I hope they have some interior photos for you..

Regards Rick.

23517824_10212636537323060_985998551250579593_n.jpg

[Mike Gurr]

It is an article on the restoration of the Tank Museums MK IV Light Tank by Gavin Barlow of Armoured Engineering www.armoured-engineering.co.uk
There is a picture of the drivers compartment in the article but I can't see the bracket, may be different in the MK VI but I am sure it would be worth making contact. I have no involvement with this company.
Mike

[Niels V]

The firm is fairly active on facebook https://www.facebook.com/armouredengineering/

[simon king]

I found these pictures of the ex Littlefield Collection LT Mk VI

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/vickers.htm

In a couple of a pictures there appears to be a curved metal hinged cover more or less over where the bracket is situated. I wonder if this gives access to whatever is mounted on the mystery bracket. Might explain why it doesnt show up on stowage diagrams.

Forward of the cover is a semicircular fairing leading into the engine compartment. Could it be that this covers a shaft leading from or to whatever is mounted on the bracket. Could it be something like a starter motor, located there for ease of access??? Problem with that supposition of course is that British vehicles are not generally known to be user friendly.

Alternatively given its proximity to the turret basket ring, could it be for a power traverse gearbox or was the turret hand operated?

sk

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Colin,
It has just dawned on me. The bracket is for the separate dynamo which charges the wireless batteries. I will send a picture shortly.

regards, Richard

[Richard Farrant]

The wireless battery charging circuit is separate from the main vehicle circuit and is fed through the rotary base junction to the batteries under the basket floor. The hole in the bracket is for a dowel in the CAV dynamo casing to locate it in the correct position, same on other vehicles of the period.
Here is part of the circuit diagram;