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During the 50s and early 60s radio
equipment like the AN GRC-9 set were mounted on
the rear wheel arches (power supply on one side
and set on the other). With later equipment
needing more space and the practice of sometimes
fitting more than one set a radio mounting kit
was produced for the M201.
To fit this kit the standard rear
seat was removed and replaced with a standard
single seat. The two trays were bolted to the
body using the four standard holes on the top of
each wheel arch. This was strengthened by an
additional bracket bolted to the side of the
wheel arch. Once fitted the two rear lockers
became inaccessible as the trays covered them.
Each tray was predrilled with a large
number of holes for mounting a wide range of
equipment.
To make the installation of equipment
onto the trays easier, and to ensure correct
location, the holes were numbered (see below). A
few holes were marked 'X' & 'Y'.
The kit also contained a rear panel
(A) and a cable channel (B) that was fixed to the
floor behind the front seats using the existing
bolts for the foot bars on each side.
The photo above shows the tray
support bracket and rear seat support bracket,
two of each were required. The kit was introduced
during the 1960s though I am not certain exactly
when. Once fitted with this kit the vehicle was
referred to as being a VLTT Hotchkiss type M201
"Radio". The position of the rear seat
and the two support brackets is shown clearly in
the photo below. The jeep returned to France from
Djibouti to be sold at auction (note the sand
tyres). Thanks to David Cheron (M201 No. 22,766)
for the photo and information about the jeep
below which is M201 No 24,605.
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