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5888 after the fire in September 1994.
The fire started in a tumble dryer behind in the utility room
behind the garage (moral: unplug everything when it's not in use!).
Most things that could burn did - wiring insulation, upholstery,
paint etc. and all the tyres suffered to some degree. The fuel
tank survived strangely enough but got hot enough for the solder
to melt and run downthe outside!.
6799 (left) and 5888. The box on the
left wing of 5888 is the TUAAM (Tuning Unit, Automatic, Antenna
Matching) for the Clansman VRC 353 VHF transceiver installed on
the radio table together with the VRC 321 HF transceiver. These
radios are still current issue sets and therefore not "correct"
for a Champ.
5888 with sidescreens fitted. English
weather often makes this accessory essential! The stalk on the
rear lamp box is the HF antenna mount. This was introduced to
improve the performance of the HF antenna system compared to the
original method of bolting the antenna base directly to the lamp
box.
Engine bay of 5888 before installing
the radiator. The alternator modification is visible here.
The "Larkspur " radio installation
in 5888. The boxes on top of the C42 are the B type harness
giving interconnect facilities between two radios and the operator
and rebroadcast (set-to-set radio relay) between the radios if
required. The harness system is cabled to the front left dashboard
shelf where a C box is fitted for convenient operation of the
station by the front passenger.
Alternate view ofThe "Larkspur"
radio installation in 5888. This is the setup for the Regimental
Radio Truck role and was used in this form in the early 1960's.
The radio table is in the forward position on the long runners
to bring the radio's closer to the operator in the front seat
and also to bring the heavy weight more to the center of the vehicle.
The simple board seat backrest (shown folded down) replaces the
normal 3-part backrest when the vehicle is converted from basic
FFW to FFR. The set on the left (as the sets face forward this
is the right side of the vehicle) is a C13 High Frequency (2-12
MHz) transceiver together with it's power supply, which functions
as the rear link set. The tubular box on top of the set is the
Antenna Tuning Unit which interfaces the set to the 8-16 foot
rod antenna on the rear lamp box. It is possible to remote this
from the set by up to 100m to improve siting or for tactical reasons.
To the right of the ATU is a B47 low power VHF transceiver which
was
commonly used for inter-troop working or liaison to infantry who
would commonly use A40 or A41 manpack sets.
On the right is a C42 VHF (36-60 MHZ) transceiver and power supply
used for forward area communications. This was designed to give
a range of around 40-50km over typical North European terrain.
The Antenna Tuning Unit for the C42 is fitted on the front left
wing together with an 8 ft rod antenna.
The Larkspur family was designed in the early 1950's and is of
course all valve (tube) technology. However it remained in service
in various forces round the world until the 1980's.
5888 as a Wedding Champ
Pic of 5888 and 6115 at
our local club rally at RAF Kenley in June.2001 The Austin K5
in the background belongs to our branch sec.
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