BESA Transit Chest

[rmgill]

Gentlemen, I have been working on a gas simulator for Vandal, our Humber MK IV that I am sure Jim Burrill has mentioned a time or two. I have just about finished and need to fit this into a transit chest for better and more safe transport and storage.

I have a need of photos of such a beast since I'm pretty certain I'll not find one on this side of the pond if anywhere.

Aside from the very nice video over at the Churchill tank site, I have no idea what these beasts are supposed to look like precisely. I have a pretty good idea extrapolating from the various transit chests I have seen from both the No4Mk1Ts and Brens and Vickers MGs.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[tankbarrell]

I have an original, I can take pics and dimensions for you.

Adrian

[rmgill]

Adrian, that would be splendid thank you.

I'm suspecting sctoch pine for the sides top/bottom and hardwood for the fittings and ends. 3/4" ends, 5/8" sides top/bottom as per the specs for the Rifle cases that I have.

[tankbarrell]

The BESA box is similar to a Bren box but not as tall.
Overall dimensions of the box body are:-

Length 47 1/4"
Width 9 1/4"
Depth 8 1/8"

These are for the box body only. The lid is:-

47 5/8" X 9 1/2" overall.

The handle blocks are:-

5 1/2" X 2 3/4" X 3/4".

So the overall size of the finished box including all protruberences is:-

48 3/4" X 9" X 9 1/2"

The sides, lid and ends are all 7/8" thick with the base being 1" thick. Sides and ends are dovetail jointed and the base screws on flush with the sides and ends. There is a steel strip all round the lid that is 1 1/4" X 18G, flush with the top and relieved where the lid catches go. Corner stiffeners are L brackets made from 3/4" X 16G flat bent into 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" angles.

All other details same as Bren box.

Mine has been stripped a bit internally but it's not hard to figure out what is required as you have the BESA to put in it.

My pics are too big it seems to upload...... PM me your email and I'll send them direct.

[rmgill]

Is the lid one piece or is it tenoned and haunched?

[maple_leaf_eh]

While we're on the topic of hardware, does the BESA chest use the same hinges and hasps as the No.15 sniper rifle chest? Long strap hinges, short flip-over hasps and cast swivel latch keepers. If you need sets, I've got extras from CNo.7 rifle boxes.

[rmgill]

It certainly has the same hasp as the bren chests I've seen and the 100 round drum magazine chests of which I have two (with the magazines i might add ).

Interestingly enough, the clasp/latches are common with the exterior stowage accessory hasps on a humber. I have a set of those off a landrover that I need to use to make up some shell can mounts for the rear wings and for one of the front wing mounts.

[tankbarrell]

Originally Posted by rmgill

Is the lid one piece or is it tenoned and haunched?

It seems to be one piece.

[rmgill]

That makes it easier. The plans I have for the No4 Mk1T transit chest show the ends with a cap. Possibly more an issue if the lid is multipiece.

So, on the subject of woods.

The No4 Mk1T plans indicate Deal for the top, bottom and sides and beech or elm for the ends and interior fittings.

Lacking a good source for Scotch Pine (Deal) I'm going to use spruce or poplar most likely for the sides and Maple for the ends. I'm going to avoid oak as that has tannins/acids that'll attack any steel/iron fittings inside, including the screws unless galvanized.