LCT 7074

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Spitfires of the Sea, Jun 18, 2019.

  1. idler

    idler GeneralList

    It looks more like a piece of railway track in that last one.
     
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  2. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Might there be a correlation between when the LCTs were built and when the extensions came into service?
    Earlier LCTs with retrofitted extensions - no masts; later LCT's built with extensions - masts?

    Against that, there don't appear to be any eyes added to the extensions for easy cinnection of the cables.
     
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  3. I've tried to find such correlations without success. The only meaningful correlation seems to be that only the LCT(3) of "V" & "H" Sqns (hull numbers between 7034 & 7102) have had the masts fitted.

    The fitting of Mulock extensions does not appear to be a factor, because all D Day LCT of all Marks were planned to be fitted with them as early as mid-March 1944 (see below).

    LCT(3) joining "V" or "H" Sqns after D Day apparently also had the masts fitted (see pic of LCT 7093 in post #15 above), whereas those commissioned after D Day but not part of these two Sqns did not, in spite of the fact that they are "Mulock extension ready". See for example LCT 7119, 7120 & 7121 below, visibly photographed after they had seen some service, and which have the hinge lugs for the Mulock welded to their ramp, but show no trace of a mast having been fitted:

    [​IMG] COMBINED OPERATION BASES IN SCOTLAND. JULY 1945, VARIOUS COMBINED OPERATIONS BASES IN SCOTLAND SHOWING LAY-OUTS OF THE CAMPS AND TYPES OF CRAFT.. © IWM (A 29889)

    [​IMG] COMBINED OPERATION BASES IN SCOTLAND. JULY 1945, VARIOUS COMBINED OPERATIONS BASES IN SCOTLAND SHOWING LAY-OUTS OF THE CAMPS AND TYPES OF CRAFT.. © IWM (A 29890)

    [​IMG] COMBINED OPERATION BASES IN SCOTLAND. JULY 1945, VARIOUS COMBINED OPERATIONS BASES IN SCOTLAND SHOWING LAY-OUTS OF THE CAMPS AND TYPES OF CRAFT.. © IWM (A 29891)

    As an aside, note also the rod running along the tops of the hinge lugs. This certainly would prevent the extensions from being fitted. There is another, shorter rod on each side of the ramp between the end extension lug and the top front end of the bows. My interpretation of these is that the craft are being prepared for voyage to the Far East, and that these rods are for fastening an extra piece of tarpaulin to cover the normally open hold space between the ramp and the watertight doors (see pic of 7081 in post #19 above). After arrival at destination, if and when the Mulock extensions are needed, the rods must be easy to unweld.

    Another additional fitting as compared with D Day craft is the short chain between an added eye on the inside bow top cheek and (probably) the ramp, possibly as an extra means of securing the ramp in its closed position.

    Back to the D Day craft, an Admiralty Fleet Order dated 16 Mar. 1944 (attached) states that "Various ramp extensions for L.C.T. and L.S.T. are now being distributed." with slightly different models of the "Mulock Type Ramp Extension" for LCT(3) & (4) on the one hand, and LCT(5) & (6) on the other. This AFO was later amended on 27 Apr 44 (also attached). Regrettably I could not find a source for the corresponding AFO Diagrams which must provide the dimensions etc. of the extension.

    Note the paragraph saying "Certain stores, e.g, blocks and tackles, will be supplied to assist in the operation of the ramps. Meantime, the anchor davit purchase may be used."

    These blocks and tackles are maybe those seen hanging from the masts, the masts themselves not being part of the "Certain stores" supplied, but for some reason fitted only to the LCT(3) of Force "L".

    Michel
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2019
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  4. Spitfires of the Sea

    Spitfires of the Sea Stephen Fisher

    Thanks all (especially Michel) for the further replies. I'm starting to come round to the Mulock extensions connection and the masts being a means to open them before the ramp is lowered.

    The reference to blocks and tackles in the above attachments is telling. It reminds me of this image: http://www.desertrats.org.uk/images/Pictures/22ndABLCTFelixstoweDminus2.jpg. Although there are no extension fitted here, it's reasonable to assume that they were eventually. The picture (taken by a Desert Rat) looks to be taken at Harwich rather than Felixstowe and 7073 is possibly waiting to have her extensions fitted here. What's interesting is the arrangement of ropes across the top of the bow door. I'd previously assumed that this was just some untidy stowing of the ropes, but perhaps they formed a simple mechanism that, when hoisted, pulled the Mulock arms up and into place? A number of other images do show cables form these masts crossing from one side of the LCT to the other (here for instance: http://www.desertrats.org.uk/images/Pictures/22ndABTACHQLCTD_Day.jpg).

    On the other hand, I might expect to see the mechanism more clearly in other photos. Here's LCT 7067 (IWM 1977) on the morning of 7 June and with her Mulocks deployed, but no evidence of cross ropes. The same is true of 7035 at the top of this thread, so perhaps this isn't exactly how they worked... But nonetheless, the reference Michel has provided above does make it seem that they're involved with the Mulock somehow.

    The photos from Sunderland Museum are lovely, thanks for finding those!

    Cheers,
    Steve

    LCT 7067 2.JPG
     
  5. Steve,

    The second photo from the Desert Rats website is I think the final proof! Thanks for posting it!

    It shows how the masts/blocks and tackles combinations were supposed to operate in my view. On this photo they are shown ready to lift the tip of the (folded) starboard Mulock extension, with the port blocks & tackles connected, probably via a simple hook, to the port lower corner of the extension and the starboard blocks & tackles to its starboard corner. Pulling the ropes on both sides at the same time would lift the tip of the extension, until the outside (fore) part of the extension (under the ramp in its unfolded position) outweighs that on the inside, and the extension falls into its unfolded position:
    LCT(3) bow masts operation - 22ndABTACHQLCTD_Day - Notes.jpg

    The hooks are then attached to the corners of the next extension, and when the job is done the blocks and tackles are secured in any such way that keeps the ropes out of the way, hence the variety of how they look on different craft.

    Michel
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2019
  6. idler

    idler GeneralList

    That does look to be the clincher. And the need to use both lines goes a long way to explaining why they weren't left connected (and photographed) during loading/unloading.

    Well done!
     
  7. Spitfires of the Sea

    Spitfires of the Sea Stephen Fisher

    That does look pretty convincing Michel, thank you!
     
  8. I didn't know these photos from the Desert Rats website, although I thought I had browsed it in its entirety! Any more LCT gems hidden there?
     
  9. Spitfires of the Sea

    Spitfires of the Sea Stephen Fisher

    Those, and the ones from Bombardier Archer, are the only ones I'm familiar with I'm afraid.
     
  10. tmac

    tmac Senior Member

  11. Listy

    Listy Well-Known Member

    Ah-ha!

    Thank you!

    I've just started researching WWII British Rockets, and I've been seeing mention of "UP Mk.5 F.A.M." and knew they were some form of cable/rocket weapon. By naming the weapon you've provided the key to open a treasure trove of new research opportunities.

    BTW, you mention the PAC's, you don't know if they were the Type D's or Type J's do you? Sometimes called 1-ton or 2.25 ton schemes?
     
  12. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I see updates on Twitter - the LCT has been moved next to the D-Day museum now.
     
  13. DannyM

    DannyM Member


    Hi,
    Type “J” was fitted to LCT in the few photos that I have seen.

    Attached is a photo of it in place plus a couple of other illustrations.

    The RN did various trials with the length of cable, propellant etc.

    Regards

    Danny
    0000  DL.jpg
     
  14. Listy

    Listy Well-Known Member

    Thanks.
    I've been doing research work on British rockets of the period, So far I've got most of the naval PAC types up to Type E. But between them and J it's a bit of a mystery. I'm sure others will be forthcoming in time.

    On the type L, what's the shell like container? Also where might the surviving exhibit be located?
     
  15. DannyM

    DannyM Member

    Hi,
    The canister contains the wire coil, parachutes and bomb.

    PM sent.

    Regards

    Danny
     
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  16. Spitfires of the Sea

    Spitfires of the Sea Stephen Fisher

  17. Hello Steve,

    I've watched and looked, but can't see what you mean. Could you elaborate?

    Michel
     
  18. Spitfires of the Sea

    Spitfires of the Sea Stephen Fisher

    It's the rope running above the brow ramp from the port foredeck to the starboard one Michel. One of the tank crew has to hold it over his head as they go under it. Similar to the masst/rope arrangement on the Force L LCTS perhaps.
     
  19. Yes, this is a stange contraption indeed! However, I think it is too low, too far back and too weak to be of any use in lifting or lowering the Mulocks. Its purpose is a mystery to me however. Perhaps something to fix a tarp over? Unless it is a simply a clothesline? :rolleyes:

    Michel
     
  20. Quarterfinal

    Quarterfinal Well-Known Member

    Looking forward to a visit in the not too distant future, having often seen her in that sorry state in Birkenhead. Well done those involved in saving her.

    It is a slight pity that she was not fitted out with the Paxman engines:
    Winston and Nellie (the Trenching Machine)
    but there we are.
     

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