Aiming Post

[ron]

Can anyone help ,me with either one or both a picture of the Vickers Aiming post that was issued with the carriers,in the manual that I have its described as Post.Aiming,M.G Mk 111.or the dimensions of one, I have a rough idea of what they look like but would like the real thing or at least an excellent copy,
Thanks in advance Regards Ron

[rob love]

http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk/acc-sightingkit.htm

[ron]

Hi Rob this is what I was asking about thanks Ron

[Big D]

Hi Ron,

Is it on here?

Cheers

Darryl

[Jared Archibald]

G'day Ron,

I think you will find that the object that you have marked on the hull side of the LP2 is a Vickers MG cleaning rod, not an aiming post. It is a long rod with a D or oval-shaped handle with a small sliding fitting on it.

They were stored here with the early hull-side tool stowage, and were then placed on the inside hull next to the gunners leg in the later stowage plan.

The MG Aiming Post was also carried:- I have seen them either in one of the rear stowage bins, or on the inside rear bulkhead on the RH side.

Jared

[ron]

Hi Jared good to hear from you,thanks for the reply, I have three early carriers here one is 595 and I have another one 258,they all have provision for the Vickers cleaning rod on the gunners side of the carrier mounted in clips on the side wall next to the gunners leg, the diameter of the rod in the side bracket is too large to fit the bore of the .303. Vickers ,Page 91 of the manual Carriers, Machine Gun L.P 2&2A dated 1941 states Post Aiming,MGMk 111.On outside ofHull.L,H upper side plate, this is where I obtained the pic that I posted, any way mate thanks for your reply, how are your carriers coming along ? any up dates on them, Regards Ron

[ron]

Hi Darryl,
Good to here from you, you live in a great spot, the bottom end of the South Island is my favorite place in the world, I have spent many holidays hunting the Fiordlands in years gone by chasing Wapiti,
Anyway back to the my question, you are spot on the money. yes thats the item that I was asking about, is it original? or new manufacture,?
Best Regards Ron

[ron]

Hi Darryl,
Check your P M message sent, Regards Ron

[Big D]

Hi Ron,

PM sent back to you. Probably done when the carrier was restored I'd say. Yes, the lower south island is a great spot. Lots of outdoor places for hunting etc. Let me know when you are next over.

Cheers

Darryl

[Rob Beale]

The post is made from 1/2" dia rod, 4 foot long with a 4 inch dia circle formed in one end, and a tapered end at the other.

Check the dimensions of those brackets on your carrier Ron, but I think its 4" outside dia.

Cheers
Rob

[Big D]

Hi Ron

I don't have my imperial ruler or my calipers on me but:

* 890mm length (from tip of pole to exterior of ring)

* 115mm ring (outside diameter)

The steel rod looks to be about 11mm in diameter.

Slightly different to what Rob says.

Cheers

Darryl

[ron]

Hi Rob,
Thanks mate for your reply. I do have a length of half inch rod just stuck in the three of them but until now I was not sure what the end piece looked like, I will make them up in the morning, thanks again,
Regards Ron

[ron]

Hi Darryl,
Thanks for your reply, thats what I needed, both you and Rob have been a big help,if I can be of any help at any trime let me know, When next I am in the South Island I will advise you many thanks,
Regards Ron

[Rob Beale]

Handbook for the Vickers ... 1930, supplement no2

Post, zero, M.G., Mark I

"The post is of iron, 3 feet long and 1/2 an inch in diameter. The upper end is formed as a ring 4 inches in diameter, the lower end being pointed."

Sorry my memory didn't get the length right before!

From Darryl's measurement the 4" circle must be measured to the centre of the 1/2" rod.

I made one as above and it fits nicely in the pocket and clip on the side plate.

Don't forget to come up to the North Island too, Ron! Always a welcome for you in Sunny Gisborne.

regards
Rob

[ron]

Hi Rob,
Good on you mate thats exactly what I needed, full steam ahead in the morning,
I will certainly call in and see you when next I am over there been in your neck of the woods before too, was up in the North Island after Rusa deer and chasing the Sika out the back of Taupo, I look forward to seeing your machines, once again thanks for your help
Regards Ron

[Jared Archibald]

G'day everyone,

well, I have learnt a bit from all of this.

I had only ever seen cleaning rods placed in the holder on the side of the early LP2 carrier.
Then when Ron mentioned Aiming Posts I was thinking of the same apparatus as what Rob posted in his picture (which definitely can't fit onto the brackets on the side of an LP2) but I believe are usually stored in one of the rear bins.

I did some research today and found this:-

Posts, Zero, M.G., Mk. I
This post is provided for use in conjuction with machine guns employed for indirect fire. It consists of an iron road ½-in. diameter, bent at one end to form an aiming ring of 4-in. internal diameter and pointed at the other for insertion into the ground. The post, which is painted service colour, is about 38½-in. overall length.
Source:- the Accessories Page - Sighting and Gun Laying window - from http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk/
(there is an image here also)

I had not seen or heard of these before - but it is as Rob Beale has uploaded from Vickers MG Handbook.

It would seem that the original LP2/2A Carrrier Manual from 1941 that you have Ron got the name incorrect...

Now I know what to look for (or make).

Jared

[ron]

Hi Jared,
Thanks mate, Whats in a name,? well now we all know what we are talking about, this is what I like about this forum we are all out to help each other,and to share what we know about our chosen hobby,
Regards Ron