2782A - Section 20

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Mechanical Transport AP2782A (Section 20) - Floodlights and Beacon Vehicles

Brockhouse, 5 ton, 4-wheel, Mk 2 trailer, equipped with aerial lighthouse Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/500
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
General Information
Chassis type
Body
Suspension, Wheels & Tyres
Equipment
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Notes

Brockhouse, 3¼ ton, 4-wheel, Mk 1 trailer, equipped with floodlight
RAF Ref No	16A/274
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
Body	Body - A platform of chequer plate supports a housing of all metal construction and a lantern tower. Various hinged flaps are fitted to the housing to operational requirements and to facilitate servicing the fitted equipment Equipment - This chassis may be fitted with a 4 kW reflector type or a 5 kW dioptic (Chance) floodlight 4 kW floodlight - Two lanterns are used, each comprising a tubular lamp rated at 2 kW with a parabolic trough type reflector to give a broad flat beam of light. The lanterns are house one above the other to form a lantern tower which is surmounted by a red obstruction light. The lantern tower can be slewed and tilted on its base to suit operational requirements. Power supply for the lanterns is provided by a 4 kVA 230V, single phase, 50 c/s, alternator driven by a Coventry-Climax Type E or ZE petrol engine and a control panel. A 12V lighting set is incorporated for servicing purpose. The capacity of the generating set fuel tank is 23 gallons. 5 kW floodlight - A lantern elevated above the general level of the vehicle fitted with a 5 kW electric lamp inside an optical system designed to give a flat beam of light covering a horizontal angle of 180 degrees. The lantern mounted on a turntable on the lantern tower can be slewed through 90 degrees and tilted through 5 degrees of elevation and depression. The base of the lantern tower provided stowage for lantern spares. Power supply for the lantern is provided by a 5.5 kW 100V, DC generator driven by a Coventry-Climax Type E petrol engine and a control panel.
Dimensions	Length - 21 ft 6½ in (Platform - 15 ft 0 in); Width - 7 ft 6 in (Platform: front - 3 ft 6 in); Height - 11 ft 4 in (4 kW), 11 ft 0 in (5 kW), (Platform - 3 ft 4 in);
Weights	Laden - 3 tons 5 cwt.
Notes	Purpose - To illuminate an area of aerodrome for take-off and landing operations at night. Also shown in AP2782, Group 4.

Brockhouse, 5 ton, 4-wheel, Mk 2 trailer, equipped with floodlight Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1167
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
Body	Body - A platform of chequer plate supports a housing of all metal construction and a lantern tower. Various hinged flaps are fitted to the housing to operational requirements and to facilitate servicing the fitted equipment Equipment - Two lanterns are used, each comprising a tubular lamp rated at 2 kW with a parabolic trough type reflector to give a broad flat beam of light. The lanterns are house one above the other to form a lantern tower which is surmounted by a red obstruction light. The lantern tower can be slewed and tilted on its base to suit operational requirements. Power supply for the lanterns is provided by a 4 kVA 230V, single phase, 50 c/s, alternator driven by a Coventry-Climax Type E or ZE petrol engine and a control panel. A 12V lighting set is incorporated for servicing purpose. The capacity of the generating set fuel tank is 23 gallons.
Dimensions	Length - 22 ft 0 in (Platform - 15 ft 0 in); Width - 7 ft 4 in (Platform: front - 3 ft 6 in); Height - 11 ft 4 in (Platform - 3 ft 4 in);
Weights	Laden - 3 tons 5 cwt.
Notes	Purpose - To illuminate an area of aerodrome for take-off and landing operations at night. Also shown in AP2782, Group 4.

Ford, 6x4, WOT 1, WOT 1A and WOT 1A-1 chassis, equipped with floodlight Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/779 (WOT 1); 16A/799 (WOT 1A); 16A/803 (WOT 1A-1)
Engine	Ford, petrol V8. Bore: 77.79 mm (3.0625 in), Stroke: 95.25 mm (3.75 in), Capacity: 3.62 litres (221 cu in), RAC rating - 30.01 hp. Max BHP - 60 at 2,840 rpm; Max torque - 1,800 lbs/ins at 2,000 rpm.
Transmission	Clutch - Single dry plate, 11-1/8 in dia. Gearbox - 4 speed and 1 reverse. Ratios: 1st - 6.4 to 1, 2nd - 3.1 to 1, 3rd - 1.69 to 1, 4th - 1 to 1, reverse - 7.82 to 1: Front axle - 'H' section beam. Rear axle - Full floating, spiral bevel drive, ratios 6.67 to 1. Overall ratios - 42.68 to 1, 20.6 to 11.27 to 1, 6.67 to 1, reverse - 52.16 to 1
Performance	Max Speed - not stated; MPG - 8; Radius of Action - 125 miles
Dimensions	Length - 24 ft 6 in (Platform - 15 ft 3 in); Width - 6 ft 10 in (Platform - 3 ft 6 in); Height - 11 ft 7 in (Platform - 3 ft 3 in); WB - 13 ft 8½ in (WOT 1), 14 ft 8 in (WOT 1A); BC - 3 ft 6¼ in; G/C - 9 in (centre axle); TC - 59 ft; Track - 5 ft 9 in (front), 5 ft 5 in (rear)
Weights	Unladen - not stated; Laden - 5 tons 4½ cwt.
Body	Cab - All metal enclosed type, seating driver and one passenger. Body - A platform of chequer plate supports a housing of all metal construction and a lantern tower. Various hinged flaps are fitted to the housing to operational requirements and to facilitate servicing the fitted equipment Equipment - Two lanterns are used, each comprising a tubular lamp rated at 2 kW with a parabolic trough type reflector to give a broad flat beam of light. The lanterns are house one above the other to form a lantern tower which is surmounted by a red obstruction light. The lantern tower can be slewed and tilted on its base to suit operational requirements. Power supply for the lanterns is provided by a 4 kVA 230V, single phase, 50 c/s, alternator driven by a Coventry-Climax Type E or ZE petrol engine and a control panel. A 12V lighting set is incorporated for servicing purpose. The capacity of the generating set fuel tank is 23 gallons.
Suspension	Front - Semi-elliptical , Rear - Inverted semi-elliptical trunnion mounted at centre
Brakes	Foot, mechanical on all wheels. Hand brake - mechanical on all wheels.
Wheels/Tyres	Divided type or 3-piece/10.50-16 singles on all wheels.
Notes	Purpose - To illuminate an area of aerodrome for take-off and landing operations at night. Steering - Worm and sector. Electrical equipment - 6V, negative earth. 12V (WOT 1A & 1A/1) WOT 1 withdrawn by October 1952 Also shown in AP2782, Group 4.

Brockhouse, 3¼ ton, 4-wheel, Mk 1 trailer, equipped with landmark beacon Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/276
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
Body	Body - A platform of chequer plate supports a three compartment body of all metal construction surmounted by a four-sided glazed beacon lantern. Various hinged flaps and removable panels are fitted to suit operational requirements and to facilitate servicing the fitted equipment. Equipment - A beacon of eight 400-Watt neon tubes, mounted in the lantern, is controlled by a flasher unit which enables a signal to be flashed in Morse characters. Adjustments to the flasher unit permit signal variations in a combination of any two letters. Power supply for the beacon is provided by a 4 kVA 230V, single phase, 50 c/s, alternator driven by a Coventry-Climax Type E or ZE petrol engine or a Ford 10 hp petrol engine and a control panel. A 4 kVA transformer, adjustable to suit supplies to range from 190-230V, permits the alternative use of an external source of power supply. The neon tubes are individually supplied by eight transformers which are housed in a compartment forward of the generator and a smaller compartment houses the flasher unit. A 12V lighting set is incorporated for servicing purpose. The capacity of the generating set fuel tank is 23 gallons.
Dimensions	Length - 21 ft 6½ in (Platform - 15 ft 5 in); Width - 7 ft 6 in (Platform: front - 3 ft 10 in, rear - 4 ft 7 in); Height - 12 ft 4 in (Platform - 3 ft 2 in);
Weights	Unladen - not stated; Laden -3 tons 13 cwt.:
Notes	Purpose - To emit a red flashing signal in Morse to provide night flying aircraft with a landmark. Also shown in AP2782, Group 4.

Brockhouse, 5 ton, 4-wheel, Mk 2 trailer, equipped with landmark beacon Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1170 (Vehicle); 16A/1116 (Chassis); 16A/956 (Body):
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
Body	Body - A platform of chequer plate supports a three compartment body of all metal construction surmounted by a four-sided glazed beacon lantern. Various hinged flaps and removable panels are fitted to suit operational requirements and to facilitate servicing the fitted equipment. Equipment - A beacon of eight 400-Watt neon tubes, mounted in the lantern, is controlled by a flasher unit which enables a signal to be flashed in Morse characters. Adjustments to the flasher unit permit signal variations in a combination of any two letters. Power supply for the beacon is provided by a 4 kVA 230V, single phase, 50 c/s, alternator driven by a Coventry-Climax Type E or ZE petrol engine or a Ford 10 hp petrol engine and a control panel. A 4 kVA transformer, adjustable to suit supplies to range from 190-230V, permits the alternative use of an external source of power supply. The neon tubes are individually supplied by eight transformers which are housed in a compartment forward of the generator and a smaller compartment houses the flasher unit. A 12V lighting set is incorporated for servicing purpose. The capacity of the generating set fuel tank is 23 gallons.
Dimensions	Length - 22 ft 0 in (Platform - 15 ft 5 in); Width - 7 ft 4 in (Platform: front - 3 ft 10 in, rear - 4 ft 7 in); Height - 12 ft 4 in (Platform - 3 ft 2 in);
Weights	Unladen - not stated; Laden -3 tons 13 cwt.:
Notes	Purpose - To emit a red flashing signal in Morse to provide night flying aircraft with a landmark. Also shown in AP2782, Group 4.

Eagle, 5 ton, 4-wheel, trailer equipped as aerial lighthouse Crown Copyright^©
General Information	16A/1173 (Vehicle); 16A/1117 (Chassis); 16A/923 (Body):
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
Chassis type
Body
Suspension, Wheels & Tyres
Equipment
Dimensions	Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; WB - ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights	Unladen - ; Laden - :
Notes	Moved to AP2782C, Section 8

Eagle, 5 ton, 4-wheel, trailer equipped as landmark beacon Crown Copyright^©
RAF Ref No	16A/1171 (Vehicle); 16A/1117 (Chassis); 16A/956 (Body):
Chassis details	See entry in Section 15
Body	Body - Sheet steel and channel section construction, consisting of three housings mounted on a chequer plate platform, the front housing contain a flasher unit, the centre housing contains the transformer panels and the rear housing contains the petrol-electric generating set and is surmounted by the beacon. Various hinged flaps provide access to the equipment. Equipment: - Beacon - 3 kW lantern formed by eight 400-Watt neon tubes with their resistances, Tesla coils, chokes and condensers Generator - 5 kVA (230V at 1,500 rpm), single phase, direct coupled to an exciter (106V, 3.22A) Engine - Coventry-Climax Type E or ZE petrol engine or Ford 10 hp petrol engine, water-cooled. The capacity of the fuel tank is 23 gallons. Transformer - 4 kVA single phase, tapped primary suitable for use of external supplies ranging from 190 to 2830V AC. Flasher unit - A cam operated contacter unit driven by GEC Type AS 37 motor (1/15 hp qt 1,450 rpm). Adjustments to the flasher unit permit signal variations in a combination of any two letters in Morse. Auxiliary Generator Set - 12V Lucas, Type C45 generator, belt driven; regulator, Lucas Type RF91; battery, NIFE Type F5H (10 x 1.2V cells).
Dimensions	Length - 21 ft 6 in; Width - 7 ft 4 in; Height - 12 ft 3 in;
Weights	Unladen - not stated; Laden -3 tons 13 cwt.:
Notes	Purpose - For guidance of aircraft at night, the red beacon flashed a pair of selected letters in Morse code. Power is supplied by the petrol-electric generating set or from an external AC source. Also shown in AP2782, Group 4.

This page was last updated on 18/03/25^©