WEAPONS OF WAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 July 1943, Page 5

WEAPONS OF WAR

IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY IN NELSON armoured vehicles, field AND A-A GUNS Drawn up in the middle of Trafalgar street and extending from Hardystreet almost to Bridge street, to-day was one of the largest displays of armoured and reconnaissance vehicles and field and A.A. guns ever seen in Nelson. Heading the line are the “Dingoes** or light armoured reconnaissance cars which are employed in rough country. These cars, which are equipped with radio sets and armed with one light machine gun carry a crew of two. The cars are small in design but can travel almost as fast in reverse as forward. The highlights of the display are the General St wart light reconnaissance tanks. These rubbertracked vehicles weigh 12£ tons and are powered with a 7-cylinder radial motor similar to those used in training planes. The tank is capable of a speed of 72 m.p.h. The main armament is the deadly 37 ip.m. gun, which is capable of a high rate of fire. Additional armament copyists of three light machine-guns. The tank carries a crew of four. • These tanks were used throughout the campaign in the Middle East and against the Japanese. The Slave mobile battery charging plant is a tracked vehicle built on lines similar to a Bren carrier and carries the same type of motor. This motor is equipped for supplying power to operate the battery charging plant when the vehicle is stationary. The Bren carriers are iron-tracked vehicles and are powered with a 100 h.p. V-8 engine. The carrier has a radio set, an armament of three light machine-guns and carries a crew of four. The mobile workshop is on a large truck. The workshop contains electric lathes and drills, a batterycharging nlant, a steel press, a blacksmith’s forge and electric welding plant and complete sets of electricians and fitters’ tools. The workshop is well lighted and is capable of carrying out almost any repairs. The White scout cars are long, armoured vehicles. They are used for reconnaissance work in rough country, carry a complement of eight and armaments. The Bofors A.A. gun is automatically operated, has a normal rate of fire of 140 rounds a minute and an effective range of roughly 10,000 feet. The shells, which weigh 4£ lb., are loaded in clips of four. The gun crew comprises six men and a commander. The gun is towed by a huge vehicle known as a Bofor tractor. Also on view are the 18pounder field guns and limbers, which are small trailers to carry the ammunition, and the huge quods or gun trailers which tow the guns and transport the crews. This morning pupils from the city schools were given an opportunity of visiting the street display of vehicles and guns and also the collection of light weapons and army equipment in Fleming’s buildings, Hardy street. Here experienced army personnel explained the uses of the various weapons. The collection includes hand grenades, the cup discharger which cen be fitted on the barrel of a rifle to fire a grenade, 2 and 3-inch trench mortars, Bren guns, Vickers and Lewis guns, Boyes anti-tank gun, respirators, service revolvers and camouflage suits. Most popular with the children was the field radio set, over which some of the lucky onea were allowed to speak to another point in the city. The display will be open to the pub lie for the remainder of the week. ■" " •