VICKERS MK6B's resto

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Signal flag rack??

Do you have a VOL/CES list for the tank? That might provide a clue.

Mike

That's my guess too, located where it is between (signal) flares and what's more than likely a (signal) lamp. Later tanks and armoured cars had provision for signal flags so it's likely the Vickers had them somewhere, and flags also makes sense as the Vickers was designed in an era before reliable radio sets so signal flags would have been used in their stead. What may be different and needs to be investigated, is that this rack (if that's really what it is for) has several slots presumably for signal flags of different types. Later on they were the red/white semaphore style.

Just had a re-look at the wiring diagram. Not only does it call the lamp a signal lamp, the switch is called a signalling lamp key. That to me means a morse key for morse code signalling.

[Mike Cecil]

I just remembered I had a copy of Hopkins' 1938 report on exercises with the Royal Tank Regiment in England in which Vickers MkVIA featured.

Concerning the Vickers Mk6A:

Page 4, para 11 (a): R/T: Light Battalion (ie with Vickers 6A) is equipped with No.7 sets...'

Page 4, para 11 (b): ' Lamp signalling: Used for sending messages in morse. The present type is fitted at the right rear of the turret of the Mk VIA light tank and operated by a Morse key. Not being of the shutter type, careful and slow sending is necessary since the filament takes an appreciable time to fade after the key has been released. A further disadvantage is evident in drill formations when vision is often obscured by other tanks. '

Page 5, para 11 (c) Flag: Flag signals shown in TTI 1930 page 170, have been cancelled. A new card of flag signals is now in use in mixed and 'I' Bns. Flags are unsuitable for use in the Light Bn.

Page 5, para 11 (d) Hand Signals: Flag signals are often employed when tanks are close ....

So, now to work out what 'TTI' is and find a copy to see the flag signaling instructions, as these were extant when the Vickers MkVIA was being designed. I don't think tanks carried semaphore flags, as these were in pairs on poles about a metre long.

Mike

[Richard Farrant]

I did mention signalling flags earlier and recall finding the details of them when we were working on Platypus, yes, that is what the rack is for. Have a feeling the morse key was in the turret, but no sign of the signalling lamp or parts.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

I don't think tanks carried semaphore flags, as these were in pairs on poles about a metre long.

Mike

There are smaller ones, the flag maybe 10" square with the wooden poles 18" or so. There were signalling alphabets and numbers designed for either one or two flags. I stand to be corrected but think these were what was referred to in later AFV stowage diagrams. At least I hope I'm right as that's what I have stowed in my Fox.

[colin jones]

Thanks for the info as that does make sense. So would they have been wooden handle flags and have some kind of code that I may be able to look up and maybe get their design
Mike, unfortunately I don't have vol/ces list as that would be of great assistance. Since I started I have now accounted for about 75% of stowage and ces but things like that rack in the turret had me a bit stumped. Once again MLU to the rescue

[BradB]

I will note, modern tanks still use flags on ranges to indicate safe/fire status.

Is it possible this was used during ranges or training to indicate when the tank was doing live firing as well perhaps?

A concept/idea.

Love the work, it's amazing in detail.

Brad

[David Dunlop]

In your photo of the original Signal Lamp, Colin, I wonder what little gems of information might be hidden on the metal tag fastened to the lower right side of the assembly?

Also curious about the wiring. It looks cloth loomed that has experienced a number of aluminium paint over sprays during it’s lifetime, but is it possible it was a braided wire loom?

Nice to have photos like that to help sort long gone electrical fittings, clips and brackets.

I suspect with a project of this magnitude, if you kept a logbook of ‘Things to Revisit in More Detail’ for all the photos you have accumulated, it would be one very large book by now! Must be a great help a scattering of surviving Vickers are still about that can be visited and photographed for you.

Funny... an Xmas Rhyme just came to mind: ‘And visions of Vickers danced through his head!’

Cheers,

David

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Also curious about the wiring. It looks cloth loomed that has experienced a number of aluminium paint over sprays during it’s lifetime, but is it possible it was a braided wire loom?

Nice to have photos like that to help sort long gone electrical fittings, clips and brackets.

Hi David,
When I was called in to do all the electrical work on Platypus, there were scraps of wiring which were in braided wire sleeving. This sleeving is still available and I have used it on other British WW2 armour restorations. The hull and turret had been blasted and painted, with silver inside. While sitting inside with a lamp, I could see marks visible in the hull and turret where the cabling had run, and been clipped. This was where the metal had weathered over the years but the narrow area under the cable had not. A form of detective work! This helped me lay out the route of the cabling.

I did take a lot of photos, but unfortunately they were in a computer that failed.

regards, Richard