WS 19 spare tube box

[Bob Carriere]

I never noticed before but there seems to be two different model of boxes and slightly different tube configuration.

Not sure if one was early and one was later in production...... the better one seems to be the one with the hook latch.... the webbing inside is heavier and they have felt booties for some of the tubes.

Check the content map from the inside cover.... it shows the minor difference in tube content.

Is there another version/model..?

Bob C

Oooops ...I cannot post pictures......apparently I am missing a security token ....... HANNO Help ..... is this a complication because I am using Windows 7....???

PS Solution as pointed out by my wife. In my new Windows 7 once I have choosen a file I MUST go below where the acceptable format are lsited....and click JPEG before pressing the upload box...... and it works.

[Bob Carriere]

let's see if this works..... thanks to my wife

[David Dunlop]

I don't think you are seeing the results of progressive evolution in design of this box. Rather just the variations in concurrent production across a number of manufacturers in Canada, England and the USA. I have seen the two variations you have noted, as well as a snap fit lid style and a luggage clasp style. A similar variation also occurs with the Spare Parts Box.

I have only ever seen the two variations in tube packing you have mentioned and both are displayed on the cloth padding in side the lid. Some makers used strips of black 'roofing felt' wrapped around the valves, in two different patterns and at least one other manufacturer used felt cloth 'booties' on each individual valve.


David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

I don't think you are seeing the results of progressive evolution in design of this box. Rather just the variations in concurrent production across a number of manufacturers in Canada, England and the USA. I have seen the two variations you have noted, as well as a snap fit lid style and a luggage clasp style. A similar variation also occurs with the Spare Parts Box.

I have only ever seen the two variations in tube packing you have mentioned and both are displayed on the cloth padding in side the lid. Some makers used strips of black 'roofing felt' wrapped around the valves, in two different patterns and at least one other manufacturer used felt cloth 'booties' on each individual valve.


David

The left hand case is U.S. made, since it has VT-nnn valve/tube numbering in the diagram, the right hand one is probably Canadian. US and Canadian cases have a metal tray with sockets to hold the contents, British made cases (Case, Spare Valves, No.4G) have either sponge rubber or impregnated card inserts. Quite often the contents are still in their waxed paper bags in the latter insert - most likely post-WW2.

I think the felt "booties" or socks were intended to protect the operator's fingers when changing valves - either from a hot envelope or (more likely) broken glass - since there are only four in the cases that I have.

The "cube" type case was common to a large variety of equipment, from the R106 (HRO receiver) which had Case 4A through to the WS62 (4K) and (I think) SR C12 (4L). Case No.5 used the same shell but had a wooden insert to hold 4 x 807 and a small block for replacement lamps and fuses. This was used with the British WS19HP (Amplifier, R.F., No.2).

The 4G case was also used for the WS22, with a different content list, and some of them are stencilled 19/22 on the lid (between the handle and front edge).

Chris.

[David Dunlop]

I was told many years back by a neighbour of my Grandparents, who was a retired Lt. Col from the Signals during the war, that the felt wrapping and booties were to protect the valves from breakage caused by impacting one another in the case during rough transit. He could not recall if this protection was common from the start, or something added to production at some later point, based on field experience.

David

[David Dunlop]

I was looking at two cases of mine this morning and realized they are similar to the two Bob posted photos of.

I have a similar pair. Neither has a C-Broad Arrow Stamp anywhere on them. One came with an American made Mk II 19-Set finished in No. 2 Brown that does have the C- Broad Arrow Stamp on the Set and PSU Cases. The other is a stand alone case finished in a wrinkle OD Green.

What I have just noticed is that the one case was issued with a pair of spare E1148 Valves (the wrinkle OD Green case). In the second case (in No. 2 Brown), the uppermost E1148 is replaced with an additional 6K7G. Never noticed this before and now I am wondering why. Were there problems with E1148's early in production that required the 19-Set be issued with 2 spares?

I don't think I have ever seen a Canadian made Spare Valves Case with two E1148's, unless this was with very early production as well?

David

[Haridimos]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

...Not sure if one was early and one was later in production...... the better one seems to be the one with the hook latch.... the webbing inside is heavier and they have felt booties for some of the tubes.

Υes, I think the same..

Case Spare Valves with Valves -_MLU.jpg