simon king

AAM was awarded Grade II* Listed Status in Dec 2020. 

Thanks, that’s clarified what I needed to know about the markings applied to RSG vehicles.

The Royal  Signals AoS blue/white with red numbering was introduced in mid 1941. Information on MEF unit numbers came from the sacred British Military Markings 1939 - 1945 by Hodges and Taylor

No answers I’m afraid, but the way the white bar appears in some of those photos seems to indicate that it might have been painted over the original diagonal halved square at a later date which could explain the colour variation.

Theoretically the only diagonal halved AoS square was the RASC red/ green, but perhaps this is actually the suggested blue/white with red numbering as other units in the  460 series are also signals units. Could it just a be a case of misinterpreting the wording of the regulations with regard to the positioning of the colours on the square?. Wouldn’t be the first time a signwriter has screwed up , juxtaposing AoS and formation signs etc etc

465 was 4 Air Formation Signals

468 was Det ME Pigeon Service

It’s interesting that it took almost 10 years to introduce the “new” Red/Yellow squares in Libya.

In the meantime there’s this well known picture of a bent Cent with the rhino sharing an oval background with something else. It’s not clear what it is but I wonder if it’s the HQ MELF badge. 

Markings of vehicles in Libya seem to be in a world of their own. Hadn’t realised how interesting and frustrating in equal measures they could be

Just trying to analyse what’s seen in a specific picture at a moment in time for a project.

So just starting with a picture and then following the paths that lead from that, be it Wiki, personal approaches to experts on markings, reading books and trawling through IWM photos, sometimes using photos of different vehicles from the same unit at the same time or even on occasions vehicle status boards, unit signs etc etc to develop a comprehensive idea of the markings applied.

Sadly (but why should they?) photographers did not think that someone 70 years later might want a picture from left, right, front, rear and top with comprehensive colour notes when they snatched that quick 3/4 front view with their mates covering up half the markings on a small format Ilford.

Incidentally there is a Pathe film (called The Queen honours Empire war dead) of the Queen visiting the Tobruk war cemetery and then inspecting the RSGs and SRY. The Royal Land Rover carries both the Rhino and twin pillars Cyrenaica badges.

Thanks for that.

The picture I saw show Daimlers of the RSG with the later red/yellow diagonal AoS but seemingly no applied number, although that might just be an applied white numeral not showing up due to glare and the raised position on the front wing.

I have also seen that the Life Guards Daimlers were using the “charging rhino” version of the badge of the 1AD in Egypt and Palestine during 1947 and beyond. I thought that 1AD was disbanded in January 1945, but its badge seems to have lived on longer.

Sorted...discovered 25th Armoured Brigade reused the 1st Armoured Division Rhino badge in Libya in the early 1950s

Spending some lockdown time researching things I know nothing about.

The Royal Scots Greys were in Libya in the 1950s as part of 25th Armoured Brigade, which eventually grew into a reborn 10th Armoured Division in anticipation of Operation Musketeer, (an idea ultimately stymied by treaty obligations) but what formation sign would their vehicles carry?

thanks

Dodge VK62 crew buses in the front row?

Could these be Crossley Q tractor units with housebody trailers?

quiet Christmas, just refurbed the spares box for the 19 Set

Just found a better copy of the publicity shot and the sign actually seems to be a body coloured diamond superimposed on a black or red square

Thanks Wally,

I suspect there was an element of artistic license with the film markings, although they seem to be grounded in reality.

I also wondered if the background square might have been red rather than black and was intended to allude to the 7th AD but without the red jerboa, particularly as they had missed the unit code on the RASC AoS square.

I’m now looking to reproduce the wiring connections between the batteries and charging board and between the charging board and the PSU for my MWR.

Was the original wiring PVC covered or did it have a bituminised woven cotton covering ?

Thanks

I’m interested in the markings on the K2/Y(s) in Ice Cold in Alex.

Looks like an plain RASC diagonal green/red AoS square without superimposed unit code on the offside front and rear and perhaps a made up Div Sign on front nearside of a white circle within a black or red square. Does that make sense or has anybody got a definitive answer ?

thanks

Added the clamps for the table today. Possibly not quite prototypical, but certainly based on photos of remaining bits in scrap bodies

New reproduction shock mounts for the brackets that hold the tray to the table arrived from Jordan Baker in Canada yesterday so I could finally bring everything together.

PM sent

Not in my experience I’m afraid.

External dimensions are 17” x 7.5”.

There is a drawing in WftW Vol 2 of a possibly similar frame fitted in a jeep equipped with a 19:set and RF amp filled with two valve boxes, one for the set and a generic one for the amp, so I wondered if a similar frame was fitted as standard in the MWR, despite all the lockers and bins provided.

Thanks for your help.

Looks like it’s back to the drawing board though as the 18/22 box I have is too small for the frame. Was hoping the original 19 set box might have been a bit larger to better fit the frame.

I have a question,

Is the original Spare Valves Case that came with the 19 Set (ZA3104?} the same dimensions as the later case which is marked up as being universal for the 19/22 Sets

Just trying to sort out stowage arrangements in the MWR

thanks

Over 3 years after I first pictured it, the radio table is finally finished and painted. The flat fronted  draw was not right so as a lockdown project, I started from scratch and built a new one with an angled front as original.

Table now just needs drilling for the four shock mounts for the clips that secure the 19 Set’s wooden carrier to the table. I will do that when the new ones arrive. All that remains is to sort out the earthing straps in due course.. 

I have also made up the four clips that hold the table to the floor.

The 19 Set has been refurbed for a while

Luckily there are a number of younger companies who seem happy to think outside the box. Can only hope that one of them thinks it is worthwhile bringing a DAC to the marketplace....

It was equally bizarre that no one had come up with a fresh Crusader in 1/35th scale to replace the Italeri offerings until Border Models announced theirs recently. It all the more strange since Tamiya must have done all the necessary research for their 1/48th scale offerings.

A Covenanter and A30 Challenger would complete the set (hint hint somebody)