New toy for my WC 56 Command Car...:-)

[ziro]

[wa5cab]

Looks nice. All that you are missing is the CH-74-A.

[ziro]

Hi, Please do you mean the cotton cover? It's on top under the loudspeaker. That is the front flap.

[cjv-35]

Very nice looking set-up. Now the big question, is the unit functional or just for static display ?

[wa5cab]

Ziro,

No. The canvas cover was only used in enclosed vehicles like tanks. In open vehicles like Dodges and half tracks, SCR-506 was always inside of a CH-74 which would typically be mounted on either an FT-285 (like you have) or the lower FT-284 (in some half-tracks).

[ziro]

Ahhhh...
wa5cab, now I understand. I have now the FT-285 where is only the FT-253-A mounted. On top is only a canvas.

But for the Command Car I need the cabinet CH-74-A. Like a panel box with canvas infront. Right?

I found some. I will look if I can get it.

[g504]

Hello.

Chest CH-74 with mounting FT-253.



g504

[wa5cab]

Ziro,

Yes. FT-285 mounts to Command Car or some half tracks. CH-74-A mounts to FT-285. FT-253 (or FT-237) mounts to CH-74-A.

[ziro]

Thank you that you tell me my mistake. I haven't know that different. But I want it right for my WC56.
I hope that I get one soon.

Best,
ziro

[1943Willysgpw]

I like the canvas...

[wa5cab]

ziro,

I have a lot of CH-74's but shipping cost to Germany would be several times the cost of the chest.

Incidentally, the BG-103 canvas cover would be correct for an M8 or M20 Armored Car.

[ziro]

Today was a good day!

I've got the Ch-74-A and a nice FT-285, too.













wa5cab, I hope that you like it, too!? Thanks again that you told me that my radio stuff was not complete for my Command Car.

Please, do you have details for me how I have to fix the parts now together? How is the FT-253 fixed inside the CH-74-A? Where are going the power cables inside the CH-74-A to the radio? And from which direction comes the antenna cable?
My main question is, what kind of brackets are under the Command Car floor to the FT-285?

Best,
ziro

[wa5cab]

ziro,

I regret to have to admit that I told you wrong about the CH-74-A in the WC-56 and unnecessarily cost you some money. According to TM 11-2726 (reprint available), the SCR-506 installation in the 3/4 Ton Command Car does use the BG-108 canvas cover. My only excuse is that I may have been thinking about the 1/2 Ton, which does use steel cabinets for some of the HF radios (although none of them are CH-74's).

The SCR-506 installation does use the FT-285 (and the BG-103 Cover). In addition to the FT-285 Stand, it requires Adapter Kit MC-471. Which consists of an adapter plate, a reinforcing bar, and some threaded fasteners. I have never heard of anyone who had the adapter kits available. But I checked the listing in SIG 5 and as rarely happens, it gives the plate and bar dimensions. It does not give hole sizes and locations (those would be on the Signal Corps Drawing Number given but I doubt that any copy still exists). However, the holes in the reinforcing bar will match those in the bottom of the left leg of the FT-285 and those in the adapter plate will match those in the top of the FT-285 plus those in the bottom of the FT-253. There were probably other holes in the plate, like those to attach an FT-237. But there is no need to worry about them as their absence won't really be visible with the SCR-506 on top of the plate.

If it works, I have attached a copy of the SIG 5 entry for the MC-471. And if you need it, I have a drawing (done by another MVPA member (GCB) a dozen years ago) of the special Antenna Mast Base Bracket unique to the Dodges that the manuals always say is supplied by the vehicle manufacturer.

Well, inserting images isn't like it used to be. The PDF is on a local drive, not on some stupid web site. If you want it, PM your email address and I'll send you a one page PDF. And if you also need it, a three page PDF of how to make the mast base bracket.

I almost forgot - TM 11-2726 gives you all of the installation details, including a list of components required, what order to do what in, and drawings of where to drill holes and so fourth.

Robert D.

[yd328]

Nice Radio, I'm looking for the same for my halftrack.

Gary

[ziro]

ziro,

I regret to have to admit that I told you wrong about the CH-74-A in the WC-56 and unnecessarily cost you some money.

Robert!!!

Never trust an expert!

I think all is fine. I found other material about the 3/4 ton. And I think your first comment is right, too. Please look at this.





All vehicles, when they are not tanks. And it its from November 1944.

And here I have some photos from 3/4 ton Command Cars.









I'm very happy with that CH-74-A and I will use it. And the trip to the Netherlands was not for nothing. Now I have the FT-285 in original, too. The one from the first photo was a reproduction.

About the other informations from you. Would be great if you can give so much as possible input about the installation inside the car to me. The extra brackets under the bottom panel are my biggest problem. I have no idea how they are looking to fix the FT-285. Are there some drawings or something like that in the other TM?

Any information is appreciated to ziro750@hotmail.com

Best,
ziro