can any members advise what this Vicker 303 leather box was used for?

[itt]

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[GeeRam]

Its the leather case for the spare parts & tools.

[Gil Boyd]

Ford Sherington Ltd were a big Australian case maker predominantly for Binos during WW2, however they also made cases like that for gun sights, so I would hedge my bets thats what it was for, the Vickers Gun in that particular instance.

[GeeRam]

Ford Sherington Ltd were a big Australian case maker predominantly for Binos during WW2, however they also made cases like that for gun sights, so I would hedge my bets thats what it was for, the Vickers Gun in that particular instance.

Nope, dial sight case for the Vickers was a large metal box like an ammo box with internal support frames, to protect the dial sight assembly. Early versions were wooden.

See my above post above for spare parts.
There were 3 versions of the leather spares case, the Mk1, Mk1* and the Mk1**.
The Mk1* version has metal reinforcing straps to strengthen it.
This one has no metal straps, so is a Mk1.

[Gil Boyd]

Any idea what a substantial thickness in leather like that case would house per chance for the Vickers?

[browningautorifle]

Any idea what a substantial thickness in leather like that case would house

This might ease the curiosity... Spare parts cases The Vickers Machine Gun

I can only imagine you needed to put this in the drop containers as having this strapped under your harness before a night exit from DC3 could be painful...right rear roll...

[GeeRam]

This might ease the curiosity... Spare parts cases The Vickers Machine Gun

I can only imagine you needed to put this in the drop containers as having this strapped under your harness before a night exit from DC3 could be painful...right rear roll...

They didn't even put the Vickers in a drop container

It was wrapped in a special padded drop bag and strapped across the chest!

[browningautorifle]

a special padded drop bag and strapped across the chest

That would be brutal...feet and knees together and a horse strapped across your body. What a landing...

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
Thats why I joined The Parachute Regiment at 6 foot and left at 5'11"

[GeeRam]

That would be brutal...feet and knees together and a horse strapped across your body. What a landing...

The Vickers drop bag was on a long line, so once chute opened, the drop bag was released from the chest and it dropped down and hung on the long line under you, with you just hoping that you'd not land on top of the bloody thing......