Lorry defence….

[paddy]

A lot of WWII lorries had a hatch in the roof, usually round, i remember years ago seeing a picture of a truck like that with a browning or Bren mounted on a sort of circular rail round the hatch ? , does that make sense to anyone ? If so do you have a picture

 

[Iron Mike]

Snatched from the web.

 

[paddy]

Thats the sort of thing but i dont think that would fit on a Ford WOT 6

I would like to add the gun to this if i can find some sort of reference.

this from the Wiki page

The WOT 6 was used closer to the front line and in the cabin, many of the vehicles had an opening on the roof for the operation of machine guns

 

[Iron Mike]

Make it fit, that's where the fun is.

 

[paddy]

You are right, i want to build a support truck for my North African LRDG group so "altered in the field" is quite possible. i bought the Revell version of the WOT6 as its cheaper than the ICM version but i am struggling with the concept of extremely high detail like engine and running gear that will never be seen again once the cabs on....not even from underneath..
I think originally the gun wasnt mounted so it was just a machine gunner or maybe a bren

 

[iambrb]

Quick General search, although these are US stuff. Note last one is modern

 

[paddy]

Thats great, it looks like a general bolt on fitment designed to fit most trucks which will work well with my plans

 

[jknaus]

I have not ever seen a gun mount on British lorries but that doesnt mean they couldnt. I believe the troopy just stood up and held the weapon. Having said that there is this picture but it could just be Hollywood stuff.

 

[paddy]

Yes thats ok if your enemy is in front , bit awkward if he is too the side

 

[moon puppy]

I have not ever seen a gun mount on British lorries but that doesnt mean they couldnt. I believe the troopy just stood up and held the weapon. Having said that there is this picture but it could just be Hollywood stuff.

View attachment 133151

Does look like John Lennon a bit.

 

[Piet]

Does look like John Lennon a bit.

It is .
Movie : How I Won the War

 

[Iron Mike]

Give peas a chance...

 

[paddy]

In his role a Sgt Pepper ?

 

[moon puppy]

It is .
Movie : How I Won the War

Well that explains it. Guess I never saw it.

 

[RichB]

The hatches were mainly used for general route and aircraft observation. (The Germans often posted a "volunteer" on the front fender of their trucks.) Some hatches were little more than holes cut in the roof with a canvas flap to cover it. There were official REME modification instructions and factory installed hatches that had raised cupolas and hinged or sliding covers. For the most part, they weren't structurally sound enough to support a weapon mount. There are pictures of a crewman demonstrating the use of a Bren for air defense with the bi-pod legs resting on the roof. It was a SOP to have at least the first and last vehicle in a convoy to have the observation hatch manned.

Rich