Am interested to know - if anyone knows - when the British All Round Vision Cupola first started being fitted to Sherman Tanks during WW2.... sample pic acquired from the Internet.
Looking in Hunnicutt's 'Sherman', he has that picture, but no more specific info than mentioning the adapter ring and 'experimental work' continuing with mk1&2 cupolas. It's largely associated with the Firefly, isn't it? But then that's the British modification that gets the most discussion. Will have a proper dig tonight maybe, but seems possible one went straight on when the first batch of Shermans arrived for the UK.
ARV cupolas in general are a very, very messy area. Endured real headaches in the past over their addition to Churchills etc. Source material is generally lacking, but from my own digging its fairly clear there were major ARV shortages into early 44.
All round vision cupola | The National Archives Reference: WO 291/89 Description: All round vision cupola Date: 1943
I have a copy of WO 291/89 - Unfortunately this relates entirely to the R&D work and has nothing of any use pertaining to installation in a Sherman Tank.
There is a comprehensive Technical History of the Comet out imminently which will deal with the development of the ARV cupola in detail. The first ARV Cupolas were manufactured in August 1944, with 86 being made that month, rising to 429 in October and 1299 in December. The cupola was produced in two versions - Mk.I and Mk.II, the former being a "temporary" expedient of riveted construction that inevitably was issued for longer than expected. The thing to understand is that the ARV Cupola, like a lot of auxiliary components (e.g. smoke dischargers, No.38 Wireless Set) was a project in its own right. As such, it was distributed on an as-needed basis, rather than specific to any particular vehicle. As well as being fitted in production, it would have been included in reworks, and almost certainly as a Service Modification Schedule for machines already in service.
Yes, that's a Mk.II. The Mk.I had individual overhead armoured covers for each periscope, these being welded on, while the Mk.II had the one piece overhead cover that was part of the casting. Also, the rear (No.8) periscope on the Mk.II was able to be elevated, which is why the overhead cover did not extend over it. Also the Mk.I did not have the door spring mechanisms, which are visible on the lower picture.
I need to find the Periscopes - if anyone has pictures / drawings of these, this would be of great assistance. Thanks.
You need seven of these: No5 by Don Juan posted Dec 19, 2016 at 5:27 PM And one of these: No6 by Don Juan posted Dec 19, 2016 at 5:27 PM
Amazes me why the British couldn't have copied the US design for these things... why make something so simple so complicated!
I now have a complete set of original NOS condition Periscopes and door springs for my ARV Cupola... amazing what is still out there. Thanks to all for the info - was a great help in tracking the stuff down.
