JEMIMA Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Can anyone tell me if the ring on top of a QL is an escape hatch or a gun hatch ? - ive never seen any pictures of a gun being used from above one.....also im after the inner pads for mine - does anyone know if RLs have the same sized / style of pads or can suggest any others that may fit ? - mine has nothing and i understand that there should be 3 x seperate cushion / pads that bolt inside the ring / hatch...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy66 Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Hello, here some pictures of my renovated copula, the inner hip ring is made of 3 metal sections with captive nuts and I had them covered with black vinyl over hard foam . But after some information in books and a inspection of a friend his QLD it appears that the 3 sections are covered in canvas. My copula with black vinyl as it is original . Edited November 8, 2012 by guy66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Can anyone tell me if the ring on top of a QL is an escape hatch or a gun hatch ? - ive never seen any pictures of a gun being used from above one.....also im after the inner pads for mine - does anyone know if RLs have the same sized / style of pads or can suggest any others that may fit ? - mine has nothing and i understand that there should be 3 x seperate cushion / pads that bolt inside the ring / hatch...... The cupola was only on QL's made from around late 1943 onward if i recollect. Will find the chassis number later. Mine is a 43 model and never had a cupola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 The QL cupola was for observation. Much to light to take any form of weapon. It was a standard fitting on all the British vehicles with a hard top I can think off. The 1939 ones had them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 It was a standard fitting on all the British vehicles with a hard top I can think off. The 1939 ones had them. Think you should do a bit of research, Bedfords and Austins as well as others did not have hip ring / cupola on their hard cabs until about 1943 ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 (edited) Think you should do a bit of research, Bedfords and Austins as well as others did not have hip ring / cupola on their hard cabs until about 1943 ........ Well Phil's, now Jemima's QLR was an early one and that has the cupola, so a later addition? Edited November 8, 2012 by Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Just to confuse the issue! I've just flicked through the book Bedford to Berlin and Beyond. That shows pictures dated 1944 and vehicles with no cupolas! There is a picture on page 51 of a QLB, the guy poking out of the cupola has a Bren with the bipod resting on the cab roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morris c8 fat Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I was after two of these for the C8 No5 body Quad as advertised on milweb but were they all the same dimensions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Do you mean this type? There must be a minimum size specified somewhere. One Vetran complained to me he was getting old, going out through the door! He always used to go the cupolas and down the bonnet. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 During 1944, and I believe, after D-day, there were intructions and mod kits to retro fit hip rings/cupolas to lorries in the field. I think their importance was to observe for air attacks on convoys. You may also find preserved vehicles built pre-1944, that have gone through a rebuild and may not have their original cabs fitted, so there again could have a late cab on an early chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morris c8 fat Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I belive after 42 ish it was required that front and rear vehicles had am observer as sop`s yes thats my type Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEMIMA Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 It seems from what i have found that my QLR has had some donor parts added during its life - its a 42 chassis but has many parts from a later model to the front cab such as the roof hatch / ring ,The wing support brackets,the later type engine cover/cowling - Im not sure if its a completely "new" cab or just the top half or just a comming together of many parts ! - whatever its a snug fit for both driver and passenger when your over 6ft - but i love it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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