VICKERS MK6B's resto

[BradB]

Great to see the updates! I'll admit that since things went quiet in here, and after the fires we all heard about in AUS, I was concerned for you.

Glad that things are moving along! Your project is impressive.

Brad

[Jordan Baker]

Found these two photos from eBay.

[Lynn Eades]

Thanks Jordan. Now I know where they put the spade on a Vickers Light Tank
Nice shot of the "D" set aerial mount.

[Neil Ashley]

Presumably Gas Dectector Paint in the Aeriel Base.

[David Herbert]

Gas detector paint was supposed to be applied to a near horizontal area to make it less visible from ground level. Also the aerial is behind the cupola so not exactly in the commander's normal line of sight.

On the other hand I can't think of a better suggestion than that it was a recognition marking of some kind which does not seem very convincing.

David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Neil Ashley

Presumably Gas Dectector Paint in the Aeriel Base.

I think the aerial base just has a standard rain shield fitted - these were natural rubber and I've seen the mounting spacers for Aerial Base No.8 (the WS19 one) in black, brown and white rubber (not to mention Canadian plywood and post-WW2 seam-welded steel from two dishes).

The rain shield could be white rubber, or more likely red/light brown.

Chris.

[Mike Cecil]

There is what looks like the barrel of a Mk.1 BREN sticking up out of the turret .... how does the hatch close??


Mike

[Lynn Eades]

I assume these are two shots are of two different tanks. I can't pick up on any camo paint on the left one.

Chris S., I have the full mount for the early U.C. with the brass gear type base pulled down into place by the big spring. This has a 7/8" bore and so receives directly the "D" set aerial section.
I also have two other bases. One is brown rubber which Im guessing is the ground mount (and should have a ground spike bonded into it?) It has the same sized 7/8" bore.
Lastly, I have another in fibre. This has obviously fitted into a receiver of some sort with 3 screw holes around the bottom at 120 degrees, and a stepped smaller dia. at the very bottom. This one has a smaller 5/8" receiver hole for the aerial mast. I assume this takes an adapter for an even smaller dia. aerial?
Can you educate me on the latter two please? I don't think any of them are the exact same as the one shown on the VLT above. There is one on the VLT at the tank museum (Bovington)

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

There is what looks like the barrel of a Mk.1 BREN sticking up out of the turret .... how does the hatch close??


Mike

I assume they have to stow the Bren properly first - the butt is probably resting on a seat or something.



Chris.