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Post by Richard Fisher on Sept 5, 2006 8:14:27 GMT 1
Morning all,
I probably have it in all the literature that I have been provided but can anyone tell me the date that the various Mks. of Besa were declared obsolete.
A friend of mine has just secured a couple of them for use in his armoured cars and is interested.
Thanks,
Richard
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Post by Kev on Sept 5, 2006 13:55:43 GMT 1
TOM !
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Post by tom on Sept 5, 2006 18:12:56 GMT 1
Mks I, II, II* and 3 made obsolete in LoC C 4714 Jan 1951.
I've yet to find a LoC making the later Mks obsolete so it must have occured after 1965.
They were in service until the last Churchill "funnies" where with drawn, perhaps one of the Armour nuts can say when that occured?
After 1951 Guns passing through FTR where converted to Mk 3/2 standard After 1953 they where converted to Mk 3/3 standard.
If anyones interested I can put up the LoCs that describe the "extra bits" that make a gun Mk 3/2 and 3/3 (LoCs C 4948and C 6377)
The Depressor, feed pawl (the handle at the rear of the lip of the feed tray) was fitted to all Mk. 3* and later guns in service from 1950 onwards (LoC 4450)
The tapering barrel sleave is shown in the 1942 parts list and is refered to as the Mk III there, the 1944 VAOS for AFV MGs refers to the same Mk so I am assuming that the heavier, none tapering sleeve came in between then and 1949 when the parts list shows that sort, with no Mk number (it being the only type then in service I guess).
If any one else has any dating evidence...?
ATB
Tom
PS looking for Mk Ii and II* guns myself should anyone know of any laying about...
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Post by Richard Fisher on Sept 5, 2006 21:08:54 GMT 1
Excellent Tom. Many thanks. I will pass on the information. I will put the chap in touch with you if he needs any more information - I am sure you will be of use to each other in the future.
Rich
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Post by tom on Sept 6, 2006 17:53:07 GMT 1
No worries, if he needs any info you know where I am.
PS will get the missing 4 Vickers tins when I get to Bradford next, I take it the 6 got to you after Beltring?
ATB
Tom
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Post by Richard Fisher on Sept 6, 2006 19:00:36 GMT 1
No not yet but I haven't seen him yet - been rather busy (every time we get up to near Milton Keynes, where he lives, we end up at Ikea!)
TTFN
Rich
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Post by tom on Nov 18, 2006 2:24:09 GMT 1
I'm thinking about 1967 as a copy of the parts list I've scanned which belonged to Technical Records HQ REME Central Inspectorate has scrawled on the cover "Cancelled DCI 385/67" Would that fit with the demise of the last Churchill funnies?
ATB
Tom
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