Lee Enfield Carbine

[longshanks]

Hi Folks,

A request from the 'darkside' . . . . Maritime modelling

I currently building the Airfix Vosper Type I @ 1/72. The detail plans I have call for 4 x Carbines (Assuming Lee Enfield ) to be mounted in racks on the open bridge.

Question anyone know of a source for these ?

Thanks for your time

Cheers Kev

[davidelvy]

Didn't know there was a Lee Enfield carbine. However, Wikipedia has informed me of the No5 MkI or "Jungle Carbine." No mention of maritime use, though.

[Red Dragon]

Possibly Lanchester, Thompson or Sten sub machine guns, they were often called 'Machine carbines' in documents, the Lanchester was a Naval weapon.

Phi

Hi Folks,

A request from the 'darkside' . . . . Maritime modelling

I currently building the Airfix Vosper Type I @ 1/72. The detail plans I have call for 4 x Carbines (Assuming Lee Enfield ) to be mounted in racks on the open bridge.

Question anyone know of a source for these ?

Thanks for your time

Cheers Kev

[cossack52]

i'd be tempted to go with the lanchester;this was a copy of the ww1 bergmann mp18;made for the navy in ww2.,and termed a machine carbine.don't think there was a lee enfield carbine,as the SMLE was made shorter than a standard rifle,longer than a cavalry carbine,to suit both roles

[longshanks]

Thanks Guys for your input.

I think you may well be right with the Lanchester machine carbine !

I don't think I going to be able to find models of these ;o)

Cheers Kev

[Giorgio N]

No Enfield rifle was ever designated as a carbine, but clearly the Rifle No.5 was a carbine... in any case this was a late war weapon designed for airborne troops I can't see how it would have been of use on an MTB. It was also mainly used postwar.

As others have said, the Lanchester would be the most likely option as it was a weapon used mainly by the Royal Navy (but developed for the RAF).

As it was just a copy of the German MP18/28, your best bet is to look for one of these. The MP18 in particular was used by German troops in late WW1 and there are set of figures that include this weapon, at least Hat has one in their WW1 heavy weapons set. I'm sure there should be others

[Julien]

Yes doubt it was a MK5 .

Certainly was lighter but having fired one it kicks like a mule, much more than a MK4

I would not want to fire many rounds from it. Great idea but some limitations.

Julien

[593jones]

No Enfield rifle was ever designated as a carbine,

This is not strictly true, as, when the original Lee Enfield rifle was adopted, replacing the Lee Metford, there was a carbine version, issued to the cavalry. The shortcomings of this weapon were highlighted in the Boer War, when it was outclassedby the Mausers used by the Boers. As a result of this the Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle was introduced in 1903. This was a shortened version of the Long Lee Enfield, intended for use by both infantry and cavalry. This, of course, proved to be probably the finest bolt action rifle adopted by any army.

[Kingsman]

Lanchester would be my bet, used extensively if not exclusively by RN. A 9mm SMG is much more useful up close & personal with a Schnellboot than any rifle. Probably stowed without magazines fitted. 34rd mags are long so would need weapons to be spaced well apart, or would protrude too far into wheelhouse, if fitted. That means magazine rack or box (more likely) nearby.

How to make one? in 1/72 scale differences will be minute. I have no idea what weapons are available in that scale. Use Lee-Enfield as a basis if you can get one, but any rifle will probably do. Cut down stock, add barrel shroud from rod. Or a piece of 0.30" Browning barrel. Cooling holes invisible in that scale. Small microstrip block for magazine housing. That housing was solid brass, not painted. Rest of metalwork blued or black painted. You could graft a MkIII Sten with a Lee-Enfield stock if you can get these.

However, I imagine there would have been a canvas cover over the rack to keep the salt spray off the weapons or it may even have been a locker. So perhaps those are the easy options.

[rickshaw]

No.5's were used by the RN and RAN in the Far East during the Malaysian Emergency.