Wolfy Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Ok being a radio virgin can anyone tell me what (if any) telescopic radio masts were used in WW2? Basically I want one to go with some WW2 vehicles for a display, I'm not too fussed if its post war but looks roughly correct. Can anyone advise what is appropriate and where to buy them? It shouldnt be too large and heavy though. Many Thanks :-) Carleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Yes. They was a small manual tool, with twist lock sections. I have one some where. There were also large masts. There's a photo of QL's on Newmarket Heath I think with large ariels. I'll try and get a copy of the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty2 Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Get yourself a telescopic Canadian WWII aerial mast not expensive will do the job and not heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0ozs Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Hi I was going to say the same as Monty2 - the Canadian telescopic mast (20 and 34 foot variants) was the prototype for the 27 foot Larkspur which is much more common. Most of the other portable masts were sectional with equal-diameter sections that plugged or screwed together end to end. I remember in my youth the Ipswich radio club had a sectional mast of that kind erected with the aid of a gin pole - similar to but not RAF type 35. You can see the rack of mast tubes on the side of many WW2 and 1950s wireless trucks. The really big masts were mostly lattice constructions see: http://www.hariggers.co.uk/odds.htm (sorry about formatting issues since using IE10 btw) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 Good info guys thanks. Where would I get the Canadian masts from? Google is sending me to this post!! I did wonder also about the Larkspur ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 If you want big areils! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0ozs Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I don't think I've seen a real Canadian one for sale in years. The Larkspur ones still turn up on e-Bay fairly often - I sold my last one in January. You need to search for "telescopic mast" as they are often mis-described as Clansman or not identified at all. Unlike the RACAL Clansman 8m and 12m masts they have cylindrical locks rather than levers, are made of steel rather than aluminium, and have a large bare metal "spike" about 30mm diameter at the bottom - the top is also much smaller about 1/2 inch rather than 25mm with a prominent flat disc for attaching guy ropes and wire antennas. They often have green end caps both ends if in as-released-from-service condition. Three things to be aware of is that they jam easily with side loads, there is no pneumatic braking on the way down, and the locks are unpredictable - be careful not to get fingers between them ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woa2 Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Get yourself a telescopic Canadian WWII aerial mast not expensive will do the job and not heavy. I've got one for sale, dated 1944. Contact me if you are interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 Tony thats a serious mast fantastic! Thanks G0oz. Have pm'd you Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0ozs Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 The tubular gin pole mast in Tony's picture looks very like the Ipswich Radio Club 60 foot one. We didn't have a nice truck to go with it though - just a leaky caravan Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy66 Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 I've got one for sale, dated 1944. Contact me if you are interested. Hello, I am still afther a radio mast to go with my QL and my wireless set 19. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.