Wanted: British Sand Channels

[Philippe Jeanneau]

I couldn't agree more, there were many different size vehicles in the desert, so it would make sense that there would be different sizes available to correspond to their size and weight... Your observations are spot ot. There is no doubt there were different sizes available and finally we have proof... It is quite nice to see an original piece... A first!

[David Dunlop]

I would be inclined to err on the side of caution, Philippe.

All we know for certain, looking back at 75+ year old photos, is that two different size channels existed. Why, is very much still unknown. The other interesting thing here is that all these photos are of one type (weight class) of vehicle. That suggests both sizes could do the job for this one type of vehicle.

One possibility for this showing up could be the bigger channels came first. They worked but may have been heavy and difficult to work with. Or, smaller ones developed to save steel or costs.

What would be interesting at this point, would be to find photos of a different weight class of vehicle equipped with channels and see if two sizes show up there as well.

David

[Ed Storey]

Field Marshal Alexander's car in the Canadian War Museum has some mounted on the back and it may be possible for someone to get permission to photograph and measure them once the museum reopens to the public. This is an old photograph from 10 years ago so I am not sure where this vehicle is currently located within the Lebreton Gallery

IMG_2389 copy.jpg

[David Dunlop]

Interesting photo, Ed.

I wonder if there is a correct way and an incorrect way to stow these channels on a vehicle?

On Alexander’s vehicle, the two channels are nested into each other and look at the big gap between them and the retaining bar that is supposed to secure them in place. At the very least they would make quite a noise sitting like that when the vehicle was on the move, if not get lost altogether.

When you look at the earlier photos posted, you see some vehicles where the two channels are cupped against each other and fit snugly into their stowage brackets in that manner. On the other vehicles, the channels are nested when stowed and have extra web straps added to hold them in place, with lots of extra space in the brackets.

Interesting.

David

[Philippe Jeanneau]

All very interesting points, and very happy to see another photo of the smaller channels... It totally makes sense that they would exist, as did the larger size. As to how to properly carry them without loss and having them rattle their way down the road is another matter...

I believe that we were trying to ascertain the original dimensions of the larger size channels... While looking for this answer, I thought that one big clue would be in this first photo... If you compare it to the diagram, these should be as wide as the distance between C and B in theory, except...

1- We don't know if the truck in the photo has the bed in the diagram...

2- We don't know width of the channeling that surrounds the box...

But could come close... The difference between C and B is 15-1/8 or 384.17 mm which might just be the ticket and what my friends Chuck, Bob and I came up with...

As for the length, somewhere in the 81" or 6.75' seems in proportion...

I know there are some out there, but someone willing to help has to come up with the information...

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Philippe Jeanneau

1- We don't know if the truck in the photo has the bed in the diagram...

Yes we do - the diagram shows the general arrangement of the 4B1 body, which was designed for mounting on the Chevrolet 1533X2 truck.

71761684_10156567636713148_4582547104865452032_o.jpg 1533x2 MCP GMEXQ3 461-141041.jpg

[Philippe Jeanneau]

Absolutely beautiful job! Very good to see a reproduction this side of the pond!! The changes are minor, and the sheetmetal could very well be 12 gauge to make it manageable for one person...